In order to keep this post concise, let me briefly explain what has happened up until now: I've had acne on and off my entire teen and adult life, it seemingly gets better for a good few years (or months this time around) then comes back with a vengeance. In the past I have experienced less than stellar medical advice, my skin troubles being pawned off as something most people go through and offered next to no help. After a bout of mostly clear skin, with just the odd breakout my acne returned in October of 2014. I initially wrote it off as several things: stress, poor diet, climate changes due to travel and only admitted defeat in late December 2014 and sought out medical treatment. I was prescribed various antibiotics, some of which did work in the short term but not enough for me to continue or risk medical implications further down the line. I have been referred to a Dermatologist to see if Roaccutane would be an option, after much deliberation I decided against the idea for my own personal reasons.
In the short term, a change of diet (no dairy or refined sugar - I do and did slip up now and then) with the addition of Saw Palemetto and lots of water, did seemingly work. My skin looked great, blemishes were few and far between and more importantly I felt wonderful yet somewhere along the line this combination has failed me. Perhaps my body has adjusted to the daily dose of Saw Palmetto and needs upped? I'm none too sure and will of course flag this up to my Dermatologist next week and hope she offers me some sort of solution.
One thing I know is that I am not willing to go back on antibiotics, I briefly experienced photosensitivity (sensitivity to UV light) after a bout of antibiotics to treat my skin and decided there and then it wasn't worth it. Blemishes heal eventually, sun damaged skin and upping the risk of skin cancer is not something I will ever be okay with - I should mention that it is only a certain group of antibiotics (Tetracyclines) that have this side effect and even then not everyone will experience the problem.
For now I am only interested in natural adult Acne solutions, I'm as much as considering acupuncture as a possible route - for now I'm reading up on the practice before making a solid decision. I do figure I have nothing to loose, it is pretty non-invasive, affordable and widely practised with plenty of repeatable clinics. It's more the thought of being jabbed with needles that puts me off if anything. If I do pluck up the courage to go I'll be sure to share my experiences as I know many are in a similar situation.
If you have come out of the other side of acne, adult or otherwise please let me know what worked for you - I'm pretty much open to all suggestions. I'm not saying never in regards to Roaccutane nor am I saying it is by any means the wrong method (heck I've seen the before and after photos, trust me I am tempted) but for me it is going to be the very last solution. Also if you'd like me to share my experiences with Dermatologists again just let me know - happy to help where I can.
As I am writing this I have a HUGE volcano of a zit on my chin. And several smaller breakouts along my jaw line. I'm turning 28 soon (shhh, don't tell anyone) and so I definitely know what it's like to suffer from adult acne. Like I said on Twitter, I use Differin and to some extent that works. But the only thing that ever REALLY worked - and worked like a mofo even - was Roaccutane. I didn't experience too many awful side effects so for me it was just pure bliss being on the treatment. Almost 2 years of absolutely smooth skin, it was amazing. As soon as I went off it the problem just returned though. And because I now know what it's like to have normal skin it's only more frustrating to deal with the acne again. But I can't go back on roaccutane, unless I want to seriously harm my liver and health, so Differin it is then.
ReplyDeleteAs for your question regarding natural solutions, tea tree always works like a charm for me to dry out upcoming whiteheads. When I leave them untouched they can be there for days before they finally go away, but when I apply a bit of pure tea tree oil before bed time they're usually gone in one or two days, without leaving a scar or mark.
Ugh I'm so sorry to hear that! I can only imagine how frustrating that must be! I used to use Tea Tree Oil religiously as a teen but haven't touched the stuff in years - no real reason other than forgetfulness. I will definitely pick up a bottle soon :) Thanks for the heads up!
DeleteSilver serum, or silver cream is a good topical cream. Do a search on google and see for your self. Also start taking fish oil supplements. 1000mg a day. Lambert's is a good company. Hope it helps.
ReplyDeleteI will certainly look into it :) thank you for the recommendation!
DeleteSilver serum, or silver cream is a good topical cream. Do a search on google and see for your self. Also start taking fish oil supplements. 1000mg a day. Lambert's is a good company. Hope it helps.
ReplyDeleteMy skin experienced photosensitivity a few years back as well and I'm never going back to taking antibiotics!
ReplyDeletewww.angerawrs.co.uk
Ditto - the worst and I slap on SPF like no-ones business.
DeleteI've tried soo many products to help with my blemishes but I've found that the only one that has worked so far is the Body Shop's Tea tree oil!! It's such a great product. I mean, I also have the cream from the same collection and my skin has been acting great! :)
ReplyDeleteDorky-and-weird.blogspot.com
Xoxo Jessy
This is the second recommendation for such oil :) I'll have to order a bottle today - I mean really what is the worst that could happen. Thanks so much for the recommendations, I'll be sure to let you know how I get on.
DeleteHello again :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you've kept these posts updated but I am sorry the acne has come back...
You probably don't remember my comment in the second post but I did share with you my journey with roaccutane and mentioned I was taking Vitamin A supplements now...
Well, I found these supplements that worked better for me from the brand Sesderma, which have Vitamin A, zinc, evening primrose oil (and more amazing ingredients for acne) and it has been working out great so far. I don't take them everyday because I'm also taking vitamin D a few times a week for my psoriasis and taking them both everyday is a bit drying because, as I understood it, vitamin D also works quite well on acne. And another thing I've been taking is probiotics (Biokult), which are great for health overall, but really good for some types of acne (I can't credit my healthy skin to this but I am almost positive it is helping in some way). So I do get the occasional spot, which is annoying, but, other than that, my skin has been pretty clear - which, for me, is heaven on earth really since I've had severe acne for over 10 years now.
If you search about a few vitamins for acne, you can see that some of them can help a lot of people... I've decided on these from all the research because they seem like the best ones for my type of acne but I honestly believe vitamins can be lifechanging for acne-sufferers (and other skin concerns as well, my psoriasis has been so much better since taking vitamin D).
Hope I help a little :) Greatest of luck for you! Hope you get better xx
Hi Raquel, ah thank you and I sure do recall your comment from the second post! I'm so glad you have found something that works for you and something natural no less! I'm going to cast aside a little time and fully read up on vitamins and present what I find to my dermatologist and see what she can recommend. Thank you again for the comment and congrats on finding something that works for you :) x
DeleteProActiv has worked well for my adult acne. They have a new line out that is suppose to be more gentle on the skin. Try it, it works.
ReplyDeleteI tried it in the past and it really stung my skin, a newly formulated line does sound interesting I will certainly look into it!
DeleteHi I find taking the herb agnus castus 400mg helps keep my hormonal acne well controlled. I get agnus castus from victoria health website. Hope this helps. In terms of topical lotions I use a cream called prosacea
ReplyDeleteIt is for rosacea acne but works well I find on spots. Body shop tea tree stick is also great and avene has a skin repair cream in a tube which is great as it contains zinc and is really hydrating. I also use a mud mask and hydrating mask weekly.
DeleteHello :) I've just ordered a few Tea Tree items from the Body Shop as so many above have rated it highly! I'm keen to see what it can do for me :)
DeleteI've been drinking warm water with lemon lately and it has helped to clear up my skin quite a bit - they do say start from the inside, don't they? That and tea tree face washes seem to be helping.
ReplyDeletehttp://6footnstyle.blogspot.co.uk/
Yes definitely and it doesn't hurt that it tastes lovely too!
DeleteI'm sticing with the lymecycline for now, as it certainly hasn't been doing any harm (bar the thrush). I have started taking omega 3 oil alongside my probiotics though and I think it's helped. I pretty much only gave scarring now to sort out. I' em been thinking of you lots, as we sought treatment around the same time. I'm in awe of you being able to give up sugar. I tried, but even without a sweet tooth, i just didn't have the discipline.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear that :) yeah scarring for me is more annoying than the blemishes - it's almost like a permanent reminder of bad skin. Ah I didn't do it cold turkey and I still slip up and allow myself treats now and then - life would be miserable otherwise ha!
DeleteHi! :) I was on the same boat as you not very long ago, I was experiencing a horrific breakout and was adamant about going on Roaccutane. I wasn't keen on taking Roaccutane and its side effects because I found that the results from antibiotics were never permanent on me.
ReplyDeleteLast December I started taking Cod Liver Oil and this March I started to take Vitamin D as well. There was such a drastic change on my skin within a month or 2 after I started on Vit D. Even though I'm not entirely sure whether cod liver oil played a part in it, I am now still taking them anyway, mainly for its health benefits.
In the past 6 months, I have swapped all my skincare & make up to more natural alternatives. I use Rose Hip Oil at night along with Kate Sommerville's EradiKate for spot treatment. I now use brands such as Trilogy (Rose hip oil Antioxidant+) , Antipodes (they’re moisturisers are great), Michael Todd for cleanser and Invisible Zinc for sunscreen. But I do live in Australia so I am not certain whether these products are available where you live.
I think keeping the skin balanced is such an important factor. Through all the years of using chemicals such as Differin, Duac, Istotrex etc my skin had lost its ability to heal itself properly. I have a few things written up on http://knotsandbalms.blogspot.com.au if you would like to see a more in depth run through all the products I think may have helped my acne.
Anyway sorry for rambling on! I wish you all the very best to get through this.
Take care! xx
Hi :) oh please don't apologise, I really appreciate the time and care you have taken to share your experiences :) I actually take both for health reasons and have done for a while.Maybe I need my intake adjusted? I swear by Rosehip Oil and I'm sure I can order the others online - I will certainly have a look :) I couldn't agree more it is just finding that balance isn't it! I will read your posts tonight - thank you again x
DeleteI definitely need to change up my diet! I think it's one of the main factors contributing to my horrible spots! x
ReplyDeletehttp://whiteshirtchic.blogspot.co.uk/
Best of luck, I hope you find something that works for you :) x
DeleteHaving recently turned 21 I thought my days of sporting horrible spots and having super hormonal skin would soon be in the past but I've found that to not be the case! I still get acne occasionally - every few months or so. I'm sure part of it's related to my hormones because I always get these really bad spots on my chin/forehead/temples around the same time in my cycle but I really don't want to go on any hormonal medication. A few months ago I had 9 massive spots all on my chin within the space of a week!
ReplyDeleteI've found that since I've changed up my skincare routine and diet my skin has massively improved. For daytime, I use the LRP effeclar duo serum and Avene skin recovery cream on any dry patchs (usually around nose area) and trilogy rosehip oil on any blemishes. At night, I only use the rosehip oil and slather it on! I use the LRP astringent exfoliant after cleansing and I've found that this has helped a lot in smoothing my skin as I can't use a traditional exfoliant because my skin's too sensitive.
I don't know if anyone's tried Nelson's blemish gel but I highly recommend it - it's the only spot treatment that actually works for me, I use it day and night, it gets rid of my spots and can even stop them from swelling and getting worse. It's a fairly natural skincare product and you can get it from Holland & Barrett. Little tip - I've found it works better for me if I apply it before I put on serum/moisturiser.
Also, I'd just like to thank you for getting me onto the Trilogy rosehip oil; I was using the Pai one before but thought I'd give the Trilogy a go since you rated it so much. I find it to be better than the Pai and also it doesn't stain my pillowcases as much and it's cheaper. So thanks for that! :)
I've just sat and nodded in agreement with your entire comment - I feel your pain! I do want to say thank you so much for taking the time to write down all your skin care must haves as I am currently on the look out for new products - plenty of food for though :)
DeleteNo I haven't heard of that gel but will give it a quick Google and maybe even purchase, at this point I really have nothing to loose.
Any time at all :) it really is one of the best oils I have ever used, I can't be without it!
Fingers crossed both our complexions will start behaving and soon!
I use the Queen Helene Mint Julep mask which you can buy on Amazon for about £4.50. Its very thick and smells a lot like toothpaste, however it really dries up oil and cleans out pores. I've found it to really reduce redness from my acne flare up on my cheeks too! The spearmint does sting a little but this goes away after a minute or so. There's loads of good reviews on makeupalley & Amazon - I think it's definitely worth a try. It's not a miracle product by any means but it soothes my breakout aftermaths and reduces redness/size of spots! If it's too abrasive you can just use it as a spot treatment :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck xx
Karan//www.studentbeautyhack.co.uk
I use the Queen Helene Mint Julep mask which you can buy on Amazon for about £4.50. Its very thick and smells a lot like toothpaste, however it really dries up oil and cleans out pores. I've found it to really reduce redness from my acne flare up on my cheeks too! The spearmint does sting a little but this goes away after a minute or so. There's loads of good reviews on makeupalley & Amazon - I think it's definitely worth a try. It's not a miracle product by any means but it soothes my breakout aftermaths and reduces redness/size of spots! If it's too abrasive you can just use it as a spot treatment :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck xx
Karan//www.studentbeautyhack.co.uk
I also experienced adult acne after never really being bothered by spots all that much when I was younger. After a couple of years of antibiotics from my GP I got referred to a dermatologist who diagnosed rosacea and changed me to lymecycline. It worked a treat. The spots went and eventually the scars did too. Every so often I would come off the antibiotics for a couple of days to see if the spots would return and one day they didn't so for now it seems to have gone. I wouldn't hesitate in taking them again if need be. Granted long term antibiotics aren't great for you but I guess it's a matter of what's more important for you at the time. X
ReplyDeleteI also experienced adult acne after never really being bothered by spots all that much when I was younger. After a couple of years of antibiotics from my GP I got referred to a dermatologist who diagnosed rosacea and changed me to lymecycline. It worked a treat. The spots went and eventually the scars did too. Every so often I would come off the antibiotics for a couple of days to see if the spots would return and one day they didn't so for now it seems to have gone. I wouldn't hesitate in taking them again if need be. Granted long term antibiotics aren't great for you but I guess it's a matter of what's more important for you at the time. X
ReplyDeleteI had terrible acne as a teen (we're talking serious pizza face) which neither topicals nor antibiotics would touch (plus the antibiotics had some seriously awful side effects). In desperation I went on Roaccutane and would have to say it was life-changing. The spots were reduced in a weeks and I was completely clear by the end of the month. I stayed on it for six months. Since then I have the usual hormonal and booze related occaisional breakouts, but on the whole my skin has been clear ever since (I am now 26). Although it can have bad side effects (I only really experienced heightened sensitivity/dryness which soon subsided once I finished the course), nothing will clear up your skin like Roaccutane. It's obviously a personal choice but if you are really fed up with your skin then I would say it's a miracle cure.
ReplyDeleteNo recommendations from me just a thankyou for writing about this. I never had acne my whole life until I turned 21 and in the last two years my acne has just gotten worse and it really effects my self esteem being almost 24 with the worst acne of my life.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to keep checking in to see what helps you and good luck! x
gabynyan.blogspot.com
I would not apply antibiotics since they will only work temporarily, killing all healthy bacteria on your face as well. By no means Roccautane, because of its horrible side effects and because achieved results only last 1-1.5 years and then everything begins anew, so not worth the risks. I am also taking saw palmetto, along with zinc, maca root, omega 3 (only, without 6 or 9), and vitamins B. I did not notice any difference with and without milk in my life, but I noticed a huge difference when I stopped applying any alcohol, oils, silicones and mineral filters to my skin (except around eyes) and added the strongest acids (2% AHA, 10% AHA, w/o alcohol), vitamin C (20%) and 1% retinol (not retina or tazorac) to my routine, along with silicone-free moisturizers and serums. Spraying La-Roche Posay Serozinc before spf lotion would not hurt too, especially in summer. Not using any foundation and only clean mineral blush helps a lot too. Choosing mild cleanser (e.g. Aveno Cleanance) without sodium sulfate and effective masks and peeling 2-3 times a week will also help.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big believer in finding the root cause of everything so I'm currently on a mission to clear my skin too! After trying everything over the counter and antibiotics etc I've become nearly 100% vegan and have gone Gluten free, in the hope that this is my answer! It's such a struggle, I know the feels girl! We'll get there! X
ReplyDeleteFirst of the holiday series over at-
hailandharmony.blogspot.ie
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