Help for getting clearer skin

Teach30

As my title suggests I am sick of my bare skin looking terrible. I find I have a new spot forming every other day and I get terrible angry painful spots around my mouth and chin. I'm very pale and these red lumps make me look even worse.

I wear makeup everyday If I am going out. I always double cleanse and moisturise before bed.

For they new year I'm desperate to get my confidence back, these horrible oily spots which sometimes crust over really get me down.

Any useful advice would be really appreciated. Thanks.

bscm

La Roche Posay Duo+ definitely helps me with my skin. It reduces the angry, sore spots overnight and speeds up the healing time so I only have the horrible flaky patches for a day or two. For some people, it clears their skin completely, but for me I'm just happy to not have these spots last for 3 weeks.

9de5q7tsr8u2im

OP i would suggest you buying benzoyl peroxide 2.5% strength which kills the bacteria on your facing and prevents future spots from forming and reduces spot sizes too and its safe.

I would also recommend you visit the website: acne.org
best of luck

dellas1979

Hi OP.
So, you treat the spot when it happens, but I think you should try look at the source/why they are coming out.

I believe (and face mapping with skin care brands such as dermalogica) spots around your mouth/chin is usually hormonal. This is probably TMI in the nature of the forum but when I ovulate, I literally feel a twinge, and yep following day a spot(s) can pop up (chin/mouth). I find taking evening primrose oil/star flower oil for this.

I also break out around my jaw line when I eat citrus-y food!

It would be good for you to figure out whats happening (than treat it when its happening).

muslimstudent

My sister had laser treatment done and she was quite satisfied with the result.

Teach30

Thanks for replies so far everyone.i should have said in my original post that I have tried the efflecar duo and it doesn't do a whole lot for me if I constantly use it.

Does anyone know if the benzoyl peroxide available in chemists otc?

I definitely agree with you Dallas79 they get worse at certain times of the month but it's the painfullness of the spots and the oiliness that gets me down as makeup seems to exacerbate them but I can't not put it on if you get me. Will look into the evening primrose oil though.

I don't think my budget will stretch to laser treatment but thank you anyway for the suggestion.

Bored_lad

Op can you post up your fully routine and what products you use along with what type of skin you have as it will make it easier for people to help you.

Teach30

Bored_lad wrote: »

Op can you post up your fully routine and what products you use along with what type of skin you have as it will make it easier for people to help you.

Ok not too sure how you would describe my skin but my nose gets oily and my chin/mouth v oily. Sometimes get spots on forehead and cheeks but not as much. So combination I guess?

Routine is: wash face in morning using philosophy cleanser or cetaphil. Twice a week if even I use either ren gentle scrub or the origins one. I don't use this on spots or weak skin.
Dry face and use clarins exfoliating toner- not everyday I tend to concentrate it on temples as I get milia here.
Moisturise usin the ren moisturiser for acne prone skin at the minute, I had been using the origins moisturiser but ran out.
Apply makeup- I had tried the laura mercier primer but tbh I do think it was doing much so I've left it aside for time being. On a daily basis I wear foundation, concealer, powder and blush - it's on from 7am to about 10pm.

Evening: remove makeup using micellar water either la roche posay or garnier. Cleanse using Una brennan oil based cleanser and them remove this using philosophy cleanser. Dry face and moisturise using ren moisturiser again. I would use a clean facecloth every night.

I will admit to drinking hardly any water during the day. I find it v hard to and where I work is very warm. Too many liquids make me pee a lot so it end to avoid drinking as a result -not good I know!

Hope this helps/is of interest bored_lad.

Bored_lad

OK so your skin sounds combination oily which is fairly normal and you should be able to get this acne under control with otc products.

Your routine looks fairly good however there are a few things that you could change.

Firstly I would consider switching to Cetaphil as you cleanser full time as its very gentle and you don't want to strip too much oil off your skin.

I'd recommend you drop the scrub as physical exfoliation isn't the best for your skin. I'd also recommend you drop the toner as I've heard it can be fairly harsh on your skin although I've not experience with it my self.

You currently don't seem to be using any suncream so I'd say you should start I use one by dermalogica that I find great and la roche posay also make great ones.

Your night time routine seems good your double cleansing which is great but I'd change to cetaphil here as well. Also you should try putting a thin layer of Vaseline over your moisturiser at night time as a lot of people find this helps with the oiliness.

I'd recommend you start chemical exfoliation this will help with the acne and oiliness. A product with salicylic acid would be best for you. Paula's Choice make greats ones but you can only buy them online. Make sure you only use it a few times a week to start until your skin gets used to it.

Lastly you really need to try drink more water not only will this help you skin and acne and prevent premature aging but it will also help you health all round in general.

Teach30

@bored lad ;
Well thanks for advice, in fairness your suggestions while welcome have me perplexed.
My toner is a gentler form of salacylic acid so I'll hold onto this.
Personally I don't feel the cetaphil removes makeup on its own very effectively but I'll hold onto using it in the am.
I really can't see the benefit of applying Vaseline on my face, it sound horrific after all isn't it a mineral oil based product? I'll stay away thanks.

Will definitely drink more water and perhaps a Drs visit if it doesn't improve in the next few weeks.

Thanks for trying to help though.

cookiecakes

I just stopped using a philosophy cleanser as it was wrecking my skin! I have fairly normal skin which isn't prone to breakouts and the philosophy cleanser just destroyed it. It looked like I had two burns across my cheeks!Am now on what I know is a slow road to getting back to where it was. Im flipping raging! Maybe check none of the products you're using are irritating your skin?

Teach30

cookiecakes wrote: »

I just stopped using a philosophy cleanser as it was wrecking my skin! I have fairly normal skin which isn't prone to breakouts and the philosophy cleanser just destroyed it. It looked like I had two burns across my cheeks!Am now on what I know is a slow road to getting back to where it was. Im flipping raging! Maybe check none of the products you're using are irritating your skin?

Jeeze that's mad, I'll def try without it for a while, I use only a pea sized amount and love the way it makes my skin feel but maybe it's not helping.
I really think I've v sensitive skin though it's terribly frustrating when it's always looking crap esp as I'm 30 yrs of age!

cookiecakes

Teach30 wrote: »

J
I really think I've v sensitive skin though it's terribly frustrating when it's always looking crap esp as I'm 30 yrs of age!

My skin is super sensitive and the best cleanser I've found is the clarins melting gel one. I got a trilogy one which is well know for being suitable for sensitive skin and it irritated me no end. Hopefully you'll find the root of it!

Ilyana 2.0

OP my skin is quite similar to yours; spotty and oily but quite sensitive too. I've started a course of antibiotics (lymecycline) and have been prescribed benzoyl peroxide cream and Dianette too. It's quite an extreme path that you may not need, but I have to say that my skin is gradually becoming less oily and my really bad breakouts are fading nicely, although there is still some red scarring to deal with.

One thing that wasn't helping my skin at all was harsh products containing ingredients like alcohol and perfume, they were too strong and were causing more harm than good. In particular, the Soap & Glory Hot Cloth Cleanser wreaked absolute havoc on my skin. These days I have a really gentle, simple routine with as much consistency as possible.

Morning cleanse: La Roche-Posay Physiological Cleansing Gel
Morning moisturiser: LRP Toleriane Fluid
Night time make-up removal: micellar water or a balm cleanser
Second cleanse: LRP cleanser as above
Toner: Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner
Moisturiser: LRP moisturiser as above 4-5 nights a week, or Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil on the other nights.

The products I use, for the most part, contain no harsh ingredients and focus mostly on cleansing and moisturising as gently as possible. While this kind of routine might not clear up your skin in itself, it really helps with sensitivity and stops my skin being stripped of moisture, which is key for acne-prone skin.

Bored_lad

Teach30 wrote: »

@bored lad ;
Well thanks for advice, in fairness your suggestions while welcome have me perplexed.
My toner is a gentler form of salacylic acid so I'll hold onto this.
Personally I don't feel the cetaphil removes makeup on its own very effectively but I'll hold onto using it in the am.
I really can't see the benefit of applying Vaseline on my face, it sound horrific after all isn't it a mineral oil based product? I'll stay away thanks.

Will definitely drink more water and perhaps a Drs visit if it doesn't improve in the next few weeks.

Thanks for trying to help though.

The cetaphil shouldn't be removing the make up as you should be double cleansing first with an oil based cleanser to do this.

Secondly your skin is oily this is caused by your face overproducing oil to compensate for something usually dryness. Yes Vaseline is a petroleum based product but that doesn't mean its not good for the skin. The particles are actually too small to penetrate the skin or cause acne so what it does put a protective barrier over your skin at night stopping it from drying out which then stops your skin over producting oils.

How Strange

Op, the red spots around your mouth and chin could be perioral dermatitis. I've had it for the last couple of years but only realised recently.

Less is definitely more if you've got perioral dermatitis as your skin would be super sensitive. Don't use anything harsh and don't over load the area.

Read up a little on it and see if it sounds familiar to you.

Ro2015

Ilyana 2.0 wrote: »

OP my skin is quite similar to yours; spotty and oily but quite sensitive too. I've started a course of antibiotics (lymecycline) and have been prescribed benzoyl peroxide cream and Dianette too. It's quite an extreme path that you may not need, but I have to say that my skin is gradually becoming less oily and my really bad breakouts are fading nicely, although there is still some red scarring to deal with.

One thing that wasn't helping my skin at all was harsh products containing ingredients like alcohol and perfume, they were too strong and were causing more harm than good. In particular, the Soap & Glory Hot Cloth Cleanser wreaked absolute havoc on my skin. These days I have a really gentle, simple routine with as much consistency as possible.

Morning cleanse: La Roche-Posay Physiological Cleansing Gel
Morning moisturiser: LRP Toleriane Fluid
Night time make-up removal: micellar water or a balm cleanser
Second cleanse: LRP cleanser as above
Toner: Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner
Moisturiser: LRP moisturiser as above 4-5 nights a week, or Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil on the other nights.

The products I use, for the most part, contain no harsh ingredients and focus mostly on cleansing and moisturising as gently as possible. While this kind of routine might not clear up your skin in itself, it really helps with sensitivity and stops my skin being stripped of moisture, which is key for acne-prone skin.

Totally agree with this poster! I was in the exact same boat and was overwhelmed at the thought of going on medication! I took doxycycline. It worked wonders! It's such a viscous cycle suffering from acne as well as sensitive skin at the same time. You just end up using more harsh products which isn't helping! A trip to the doctor really helped me!

Marz66

I third going to the doctor so that you are not just treating the symptoms. Don't think it is just a cosmetic issue - your GP will have seen acne lots before. There are different topical ointments and medication they can prescribe and that work.

Teach30

Thanks everyone for their helpful suggestions. It was good for me to hear that others suffer from this too.

Once again I've gotten another deep under the skin swelling, one spot went down and another painful one popped up beside it - I just can't win.

I think it's time for me to try n get to the doctor, I've been before and it was suggested I had impetigo but to be honest I don't think it was. I was given An antibiotic but it didn't agree with me and it never really cleared up.

From having looked online it seems I suffer from cystic acne, I'm unsure of what treatment will be prescribed though, so if anyone knows I would appreciate their experience. Thanks again everyone.

dottie11

You'll need to hot cloth double cleanse, acid tone and use an oil/serum on your skin. Don't recommend medication. Have you heard of Caroline Hirons? Google her! Since following her routine recommendations my skin is super clear like never before

Teach30

dottie11 wrote: »

You'll need to hot cloth double cleanse, acid tone and use an oil/serum on your skin. Don't recommend medication. Have you heard of Caroline Hirons? Google her! Since following her routine recommendations my skin is super clear like never before

Thanks, yea I've tried the Liz Earle cleanser/muslin cloth rigmarole and didn't find it any good used the moisturiser and toner also. I'm currently acid toning and have used the clarins lotus oil but stopped as it was def contributing to my oiliness.

Can't say I rate Caroline Hirons very highly, she is enjoyable to read I've been following her blog and YT for quite some time now. I think it's important to remember that she is paid to review products and while some of her advice may be sound it may not be suited to everyone.

Woke up this morning to yet another painful bump, wearing makeup to work after the hols prob isn't helping. Making a real effort to drink more water though!

pemtca

Acnecide Gel (5% Benzyl Peroxide) worked for me when nothing else did, and my acne sounds a lot like yours. Available from chemists. I was prescribed Duac previously and while it did clear my skin up it really dried it out.

diograis

If your acne is getting to you go to the doctor, they can prescribe stuff like duac and differin and they really work!

How Strange

Teach30 wrote: »

Thanks, yea I've tried the Liz Earle cleanser/muslin cloth rigmarole and didn't find it any good used the moisturiser and toner also. I'm currently acid toning and have used the clarins lotus oil but stopped as it was def contributing to my oiliness.

Can't say I rate Caroline Hirons very highly, she is enjoyable to read I've been following her blog and YT for quite some time now. I think it's important to remember that she is paid to review products and while some of her advice may be sound it may not be suited to everyone.

Woke up this morning to yet another painful bump, wearing makeup to work after the hols prob isn't helping. Making a real effort to drink more water though!

I don't think Caroline Hirons is paid to review products. In fact she's very transparent if she reviews something that is a pr sample rather than buying it herself.

I think her cheat sheets are great and very informative.

Perhaps you need to get a referral to a dermatologist. If things are as bad as you describe then you need to get specialist help.

lukesmom

I went down the antibiotic route and IT worked to clear my skin but once off them after a while the spots came back. So I didn't want to be on antibiotics long term. I bought the la roche posay effaclar duo plus, a cleanser from their line and the targeted breakout cream and after 2 weeks im only starting to see it clearing and the look of my skin improving, their expensive but worth it I would say.