Fix my skin - as cheap as possible

Buddingblonde

I am 34 and I suffered from acne as a teenager - since 17/18 my skin as been clear (apart from the occassional hormonal break out)

Since the beginning of the year my skin has been awful and it is really affecting my confidence. This morning it has been so bad that I could have cried.

I am getting a very greasy forehead which is causing the pores to get congested (not quite blackheads but not far off it).

My nose is the weirdest thing - although it is greasy I often have dry peeling skin on it. The pores here and across the bridge of my nose onto my cheeks are very open (naturally) and they are now all congested and again turning into small blackheads or little white blister type spots (no redness or swelling around the pore).

This morning I have developed a large red angry lump on my forehead (looks like I have been shot at!) and a large red angry painful lump in the crease under my nose. Neither have a head but both are bl**dy painful.

I am working on improving my diet and upping my water drinking and I am taking a multi vit.

I normally use garnier cleanser and toner and aldi day and night cream and when my skin gets really oily I use body shop tea tree facial wash which strips my skin and makes the dry skin on my nose worse but it does seem to clear the skin.

Any help/thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

glowgirl_2

My skin wasn't great either until I started using Freederm gel, it has been amazingly good and now my skin is at least 85% better, if I don't use it for a couple of days I can see the nasties creeping back they have also recently bought out cleanser and mosituriser which I haven't yet tried but intend to, available from Boots etc, most expensive thing is the large size gel from behind the counter at £9.99 although they do smaller one for half that price - hth:)

Odette

This is a bit radical but I thought I would share my experience. Used to have bad teenage skin, big flare ups etc. Firstly went to my doc and they perscribed some bleach cream stuff (im not at home otherwise id give you the name) which dries them out no prob. Secondly since becoming veggie my skin is lovely now. Thirdly moisturise, I know it sounds really stupid but Id suggest cutting out all those clensers and face wipes, washing your face with something mild and applying moisturiser morning and night. Since spots are natural grease imbalances in the skin and pores, this effectively tried to regulate instead of that garnier stuff stripping your skin of all its natural goodness just let it get back to the normal cycle of producing just enough, instead of too much natural skin lubricant.

Do like t-tree body shop stuff though once in a while

BitterAndTwisted

I'd agree that stripping your skin of its natural lubrication can made the skin produce more sebum, not less and then you're in a vicious cycle.

Use Quinoderm on the blemishes ONLYat night-time and apply with a cotton-bud so you're not drying out the healthy skin around them.

It's possible that you're suffering a hormonal imbalance of some kind if these breakouts have just started since your teenage acne settled down, so consult your GP as well.

One of the great benefits of having oily skin is that later on it will be a lot less wrinkly than your counterparts once you hit your 40s and 50s. That's what happened to me: I swapped acne for youthfulness and it seems like a fair exchange now although it didn't when I was younger.

One of the things I learned about not having perfect skin is that I noticed it much, much more than other people did, so try not to worry too much

sharronloves2spend

Here's my experience. Three years ago i started suffering outbreaks, very like you buddingblonde, really congested with spots like boils and dry bits on the side of my nose. My back was even worse. It got to a point i could hardly bare to go out. I went to see my g.p to request diannette, as i worked in pharmacy i knew the effects and how it worked. She refused and said that i would be better to go on a 9 month course of antibiotics. I started them that day, i also switched my skincare routine to Liz Earle(not cheap) cleanse and polish and her non oily moisturiser(really important) after about 6 months i had no outbreaks of boils anymore and my skin showed a massive improvement. I am 32 now and my skin is still a little congested but it is massivly improved from what it was.

Maybe make an appointment to see your g.p, tell him/her how miserable it's making you, i'm sure she will be able to find a course of treatment that would be best for you.

Hope that helps
Sharron

xxvickixx

Thanks for the info on this thread. I am having a real nightmare time with my skin and am 29. I was on Dianette for 10 years, then swapped for different pills. I came off the pill, had a baby then 10 months later has the Mirena coil fitted. All that time since going on Dianette I had OK skin, then a couple of months after the coil was fitted I have trulyawful skin with tiny lumps under the skin round my jaw and forehead spreading to my cheeks sometimes, I also get blackheads and whiteheads and then the red painful boils. I have to put on a lot of makeup and concealer before I feel confident enough to leave the house which is not easy with a toddler, plus I fee guilty that I don't take him swimming enough as I am worried that the make up will wash off and show my skin. I know I need to go and see my GP again (she gave me some topical lotion which stung and dried out my skin). I am scared to have the coil removed as I know I would forget to take the mini pill on time, and I really don't want to risk getting pregnant. I'm also breastfeeding so am quite restricted as to medications and the combined pill (Dianette) is out also for that reason.

Sorry for such a long post, It actually feels really good to just get it out there and say how I feel. It's just not fun having bad skin when you're almost 30.

Bitsy_Beans

For anyone that says you will grow out of "teenage" spots needs a slap!
I've always had regular breakouts and also used the creams that bleach (grrrrr) with little lasting success. Then I switched my make up to mineral stuff (Lily Lolo) and the zinc it contains has really helped it. My skin problem was a viscious circle. I'd apply loads of make up to cover up the spots and then this would just cause more spots. Since changing my skin has improved no end and I don't feel like my skin is caked with gunk. It actually feels so light, like my skin can breathe. their cover up is excellent for the odd spot or for evening out skin tone and I would never go back to liquid make up for anything.
I am not sure if this will help your problem but I thought I'd share anyway.

the_little_one

I am on Oxytetracycline tablets prescribed by my GP, they take a few months to get working in to your system but my skin is flawless when they kick in.
I ran out last month and due to stress and money worries my skin has broken out again and I look like a 13yr old again

I'll be ordering a repeat presescription tomorrow!

LizD_2

The 'Yasmin' brand of pill also works on hormonal spots. You might have to fight for it though, as not all GPs like to prescribe it because it's a bit expensive for the PCT.

gilliana_2

I have had a lot of problems with my skin too. I started getting spots when I was about 13, I'm now 24 and am beginning to get them under control. My skin is really pale and sensitive and prone to both dryness and oiliness. I went to my GP and got a dianette prescription (which I also took for a while when I was at school), that was nearly 6 months ago and has done wonders for clearing up my spots. I have also completely changed my skincare routine. I don't use ANY harsh 'spot-fighting' products anymore and I think they were really adding to the problem. I've started going for monthly facials and using a range called Guinot which is fairly pricey but absolutely worth it for me - as my skin has improved my confidence has grown and I am probably spending less on products overall because I'm sticking to one brand rather than trying everything out there. I use a lot more moisturiser than I used to, which has reduced my oiliness , and I've switched to a mineral foundation which doesn't irritate my skin.
I would definitely urge you to see both your GP and also a facialist. Good luck xx

wheretheresawill

erythromycin tabs from my gp helped me