So Blooming Down! Is there any way to get clear skin - success stories would be good!

Anoneemoose

Teaandcake - thanks for your tips!

I have been on Duac for approx 7 yrs now so think I might have to concede it ain't gonna work anymore!!

Exercise wise - I have to be careful but I have just bought a swimming costume and am planning on going soon. I just need to find time! I know, I know, I should make time - just so difficult when I have so much to do!!

I have tried the peels - glycolic. I used boots no 7 first and then got some more off ebay - active solutions. These seemed to be good at first but although my skin feels smoother in some places, the congestion is there a lot still.

I have been using avene cleansing gel which is supposed to be good for acne and oil control but I am finding my skin feels uncomfortably tight recently with it.

I will have a look at the keromask sample - if I could find something decent to cover them, it would be fab!! Nothing I have tried prevously has worked.

Thanks to everyone else too! I wish I thought the roaccutane would be suitable but with my ocd and anxiety, I doubt I would be prescribed it.

murphyslaw

Hiya
Adult acne and I had hard cysts too ...Well been there and glad to say out the otherside to share a few things I found that helped me I think its a hell of time in your life and can be very draining so make some me time when you are beautifying and try not to overdo it

Ask the doctor for antibiotics or a dermatologist referral and don't take no for an answer. In the mean time....

Easy
Oilitum Orange bar soap -amazing at cleaning the skin but not drying it out. I found everything too drying and it made my skin so sore. They also have bath products which I found are great.

Vicks and sudocrem have acne healing properties and I have used these with good results.

Cut out the fizzy drinks.

I take an anti histamine everyday as some of mine were allergy related.

I also changed to soya milk it's not to bad I have the unsweetened one.

Hard

N Lite costs a fortune but I did see some great results.

Glycolic peels - have these done professionally I too had large pores these really helped to level my skin out and its done with a proper cleanse before and after.

Antibiotics I had the alternative to roacttane and a topical cream this really worked but prescription wise did cost.

Holiday - Sun and sea water to help your skin and your wellbeing :T

Good luck and take your time finding what works too much at once really can upset your skin more.

Interesting Angus castus was mentioned I would give this a whirl if you don't want antibiotics.

pirateyqueen

I think if I were you I would take my skincare back to basics and start from there. The less products you use, the less likely that something will cause you to break out.

I would start with a very gentle cleanser. I double cleanse, first with OCM and then with a cleansing balm. I love cleansing with oil because it makes my skin feel very hydrated and plump. There are so many different oils to try. The key thing is, whatever you use to cleanse your face with, you don't want it to leave your skin feeling tight afterwards. That means your cleanser is too harsh. Try a cleansing milk or a balm, try and avoid foaming cleansers if you can, they tend to be quite harsh.

Then I would use a good moisturiser. You say that your skin is oily, but oily skin still needs a moisturiser, especially as sometimes oily skin is caused by harsh products actually drying out the skin and making it dehydrated, causing the skin to produce more oil. I really like Avene and La Roche Posay moisturisers, they tend to moisturise really well but are still light.

Then I would recommend a sunscreen, because, you know, sun damage.

I would start on that for a few weeks and see how your skin reacts, and then I would add a chemical exfoliant, either a BHA or an AHA. Both are good for reducing acne, clogged pores and post acne marks. These products can cause purging though when you first start using them, but once that clears they should help your skin.

I could talk about this stuff all day, skincare is my bag!

JCS1

Dermalogica - only thing I found that has worked for me (and a good beauty therapist).

She started me on medi-bac range, you could definitely tell it was drawing up "gunk", first few weeks especially.

It's not the cheapest (but you can get 30 day trial size kits) but lasts for ages.

Anoneemoose

JCS1 wrote: »

Dermalogica - only thing I found that has worked for me (and a good beauty therapist).

She started me on medi-bac range, you could definitely tell it was drawing up "gunk", first few weeks especially.

It's not the cheapest (but you can get 30 day trial size kits) but lasts for ages.

Thanks you. I tried dermalogica and ended up on antibiotics!! Made it worse.

Anoneemoose

Just an update!

I bought the cetaphil cleanser which seems good. Hasn't caused any probs.

Also, in desperation, I did OCM using just olive oil and that was actually quite good. Took eye make up off with aqueous cream as usual. Washed gently with cetaphil to get the most of the make up off. Then just massaged olive oil in for a few mins and 'steamed' off with clean warm face cloth. Did that on Monday and nothing new in the way of spots or lumps.

Afterwards I used the Ylang Ylang from decleor. That seems to have 'dried' up (without actually drying) a few of my lumpers!!

Also my clarisonic arrived yesterday and used it for the first time tonight. Used it with the cetaphil and my skin feels lovely without being too scrubbed. Gently patted dry and applied ylang ylang! Can feel a couple of pimples but expecting that.

All in all, good start!

happydays09

Hey there Moose! Glad to hear things are looking up
Well, the spots seemed to be related to my period and have mostly gone, apart from one just above my lip, one of those deep-seated, painful ones.
I'm happy with my routine at the moment but... I'm always on the lookout for the next thing to try! In my case it will be this...

http://www.skinshop.co.uk/silver-serum

I'll let you know how I get on!

soaperlative

I can recommend going back to basics with going back to old fashioned hand made soap. Try to find some made from lard. I noticed a huge improvement in my skin when I started using it my pores seemed to get and stay clean for the first time since before my teenage years and I'm just able to hit 40 this year. Look on eBay or etsy for instance. I actually make my own. Handmade soap will not du out your skin like commercial soap can do add it still retains the natural glycerine that is commonly removed from commery soap.

lemonslice

I cut out dairy completely all forms of it, not just milk & ice cream but whey powder skimmed milk powder & a few other names it goes my,
My adult hormonal acne - gone in 6 weeks,
I would never go back to eating/drinking any dairy,

ThriftyShelly

Hi again Moose, just to say I am feeling your pain, got two of those boil/spots I mentioned in my earlier response, with a pulse!! right on the edge of my chin!! I discovered my clinigue blemish solutions concealer in my make up bag so have put some of that on them and I am now resisting the temptation to squeeze!
Anyhow I love this thread it makes me feel less like the only 40 something in the world with spots/acne, thanks for posting it Moose and hope you feel better soon xx