Acne

[Ibsywibsy]

My 17 year old currently uses Duac 2.5 percent prescribed from the doctor (although we just bought a private prescription for a stronger form of Duac, 5 percent), The Ordinary, CeraVe, and ice. His skin has got worse lately. I am not keen on him trying oral anti-biotics but we might have to. Can anyone recommend any other options before oral anti-biotics? (I know all about the downsides of anti-biotics and am v v reluctant but I am dealing with a teenager who is losing all his confidence). Many thanks

Someone recommended
https://www.skinandme.com/lp/how-we-compare/?promocode=GBRANDF&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand&utm_content=&utm_term=skin%20and%20me&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIve3v2ZX3gwMVlaWDBx2kFQJ8EAAYASAAEgIDUvD_BwE

I have never used them.

What specific products is he using from those brands, what is his skincare routine like?

How bad is his skin? Up until last year Ds(19) skin wasn't great but DUAC mostly kept it under control, and helped cool down the flare ups, until his Dr tried to change him from duac to Epiduo (pharmacist said because it is cheaper) and that was the start of his real problems. Almost overnight his skin really exploded.

They quickly switched him back to duac and started antibs. But they did nothing and it just kept getting worse - face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and arms all covered with dark angry spots and dr just repeating antibs will take time. Saw a dfferent dr and he give a referral, but not much they could do while waiting. We are now paying for private roaccutane prescriptions from a private dermatologist as the nhs waiting list for referral is long.

In hindsight I wish we had stopped trying to fix it with expensive OTC stuff as they did very little, that we tried the antibs on the NHS earlier, and if they didnt work got to the dermatologist sooner before it got so out of control as looking at it now it is likely he will have permanent scarring. Now might be a good time to try antibs before summer as they can make skin very photo sensitive and prone to sunburn.