About 1.5 years between the first 2 pics!! I added the last pic to show how bad my scars were in different light. I still have some skin texture I’m working on!

My routine to cure active breakouts (first 6 months)- benzyl peroxide 5% face wash, differin, 20% azelaic acid, moisturizer, spf

My routine over the past year- gentle face wash, spf, differin, azelaic acid 20%, moisturizer.

Hello! 29F here. Has anyone noticed acne flairs up around ovulation? I know typically with hormonal acne it’s in the week or so before your period, but I feel like mine generally is not in that time frame, and it’s more during follicular and ovulation.

Maybe it’s not hormonal acne? It is always around my chin though.

Acne is so annoying 😞

to preface some 20, I’ve gone on a round of Accutane and it made me really sick and didn’t work. My dermatologist can’t see me until December 20. I’m sick and tired of this. I get cystic acne nonstop. I don’t use harsh products. I feel like I’ve tried everything. I just need recommendations at this point…. I’m just embarrassed to even go to work at this point.

Hey guys, I’m seriously reaching a breaking point and I don't know what to do anymore.
Literally 2 weeks ago my skin was fine – no breakouts at all. And now? It completely exploded. My skin is such a weird, frustrating mix: in some spots (like my nose and cheeks) it's so greasy that if I swipe my finger, I literally have oil on it. But right next to it, my skin is so dry that it’s flaking and peeling off by itself!
On top of that, I have constant redness, visible broken veins, huge pores, and inflamed bumps. It honestly makes me feel so insecure and depressed.
The worst part? When I try using a 10-step skincare routine, nothing changes. When I completely stop and use NOTHING, it’s still the exact same mess.
Can someone PLEASE recommend specific brands and actual products that helped you fix this?
Also, could this be tied to my diet? Are there specific foods I should start eating or stuff I definitely need to cut out to stop this inflammation?
Any advice would mean the world to me. Thank you guys so much!

Hi everyone!
F23. I’ve been struggling with acne for over 1 year, mainly on both cheeks, and I’m feeling a bit lost about what to do to improve my skin.
I get a lot of inflamed pimples, some with whiteheads, and they leave red marks behind. I’d really like to get my breakouts under control and have clearer, smoother skin.

Here are the skincare products I currently use:
Avène Cicalfate+
SVR Sebiaclear moisturizer
SVR Sebiaclear cleanser
SVR Sebiaclear Mat + Pores
De La Cruz sulfur mask
Erborian CC Cream
Garnier micellar water

I’m not entirely sure what my skin type is, but I guess it’s sensitive.

For those of you who have dealt with similar acne:
What helped you clear up persistent cheek acne?
What skincare routine or products would you recommend? (Please no tretinoin because thats why I’m in this state now)
Are there any ingredients or products I should consider or avoid?
I’d really appreciate any advice or recommendations, especially from people who have experienced something similar. I’ve attached photos of my skin for reference.
Thank you so much!

The smallest teeny tiniest blemishes leave holes in my face, even when I don’t pick at them. I feel like it’s an abnormal amount, for such tiny blemishes that are not even cystic but rather those tiny white heads you sometimes get overnight. I feel like this only happens to me. And I am started to become really depressed because of it. Everytime I spot the tiniest white head, I just know it’s a matter of time before it leaves a hole in my skin. My skin looks like someone took a thumbtack to it and poked it several times, within the same area.

I’ve had acne since my freshman year of highschool until I went on acutane I had an occasional pimple until I got to college, it came back and has been about this bad since then and now I’m a junior in college, I’ve tried everything, all types of creams cleaners nothing works for me.
Some details.
I eat very clean and drink a lot of water.
I don’t drink or smoke.
I do jiu jitsu daily which is extremely dirty but I use face wash every night but even if I dont participate for months at a time it still stays about this bad
I have to shave daily and I believe that leads to worsening.
The only time my face cleared so far during college was during one of my yearly trips to costa when I was in the ☀️ and saltwater everyday but this same regiment at home dose not result the same (maybe it’s the non processed foods?)
Do I need to get back on acutane is that my only option and if so what’s the cheapest way to go about it without insurance?

​

I’ve already been using it every day for one year, because three months ago I stopped in order to switch to adapalene only, the acne came back, now I’ve switched back to Epiduo Forte again, my skin’s condition is ideal and I don’t want to stop.

It's my day 14 starting on Accutane 20mg. My acne feels so itchy and stinging all day and it takes my focus at work and makes me tired. I have been on Accutane 2 times before in my life and never remember this feeling from before(many years ago and with great results). It did feel a little like this before starting up Accutane now but now it's intensified! I only use mild products like Cerave cleanser and cicalfat from LA roche posay. I still wear foundation but I don't seem to be able to find any good suggestions for dry Accutane skin. I also think I'm already purging (I do take antihistamine daily) Can anybody relate to the feeling? And if so what helped you? Any product recommendations is highly appreciated!

Left+right side of my face close up, goes down to my neck, mostly clear on forehead and chin. Showing up on chest and back too. I hate myself, this all happened within the last 8 months or so (after clearing up completely) started over 10 years ago and cleared up all the way last year. Don’t wanna go out in public. Not looking for advice, just wondering if anyone has had this? Just need to know I’m not the only one and idek but I’m so tired of this.

Any idea on what would help my nose and chin, lots of pores and nose flakes or clogged idk

Currently i alternate the Thayer milky cleanser and cerave Salicylic acid cleanser and top off with vanicream moisturizer.
Once a week I’ll use innis green tea pha toner.

Thanks!

I used to have a lot of acne and after a lot of trial and error, I barely get pimples anymore. If I do, they go away within around 2 days. Here is my routine:

Morning:

- Rinse face with water

- Pea-sized amount of Neutrogena Stubborn Acne AM Face Treatment

- Sunscreen (Eucerin Clear Skin Face Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50)

Nighttime:

- Shower. Use Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleaner, pH-Balanced Face Wash

- Pimple patch (Mighty Patch Hero Cosmetics Original Nighttime Acne Pimple Patches) if I have any pimples. Keep it overnight and take off in the morning.

- Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer, Lightweight, Non-Greasy

- Pea-sized amount of Differin Acne Retinoid Treatment Gel, 0.1% Adapalene

- Another layer of Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer

I started with adapalene first and eased into it until I could comfortably use it once a night with no irritation. Then I started with the neutrogena treatment and eased into that as well. I will later add azelaic acid to see if it helps more. Always wear sunscreen if the UV index is above 2.

Obviously try to eat healthy food: no processed food, no sugar, vegetables, all that. I honestly try to eat heathy as much as I can but will eat ice cream or fried food a couple times a week. I also suggest exercising and keeping a somewhat low bodyfat percentage to minimize inflammation within your body.

I also wash my pillowcase, bedsheets, blankets, pillowcase once a week. Lmk if this helps

hi, i only really get acne in one spot on my neck.
it's been like this for years but only recently got worse like the photo above and now has redness and whiteheads.
Why????
i've tried changing pillowcases, so much skincare, eating less processed food, and now on accutane and spiralactone. Looking on google i couldn't find anyone with a similar cluster of acne so i wanted to see if anyone has similar experiences.

I’ve had these for a while now but they always flare up and get worse just when I think they’re beginning to get a tad better 😔
I’m currently only a week in, but my newest twice-a-day regime to try to combat them and my general acne (only a week in) is the BYOMA Creamy Jelly Cleanser, followed by their Hydrating Milky Toner, and then the CVS Acne Spot Treatment with 10% benzoyl peroxide for my bigger zits. Any suggestions? Should I keep up with this current regime and see if it actually gets me anywhere? I do like how gentle the cleanser is, it’s one of the few cleansers that doesn’t dry my skin out too much.

hi everyone!! im 21 this year and have been struggling with active breakouts since i was 15 😭 im honestly getting quite desperate because ive tried so many different products and nothing seems to work long term.

ive also tried so many different skincare brands, from drugstore products to more branded ones but none of them seem to make a significant difference to my skin.

for context, my skin is:
\- acne prone with active breakouts
\- combination skin, where my t zone gets really oily but the other parts of my face are less oily
\- prone to peeling under my eyes, on my cheeks and around my lips when the humidity is too low
\- redness, especially around my cheeks
\- sensitive skin + eczema, so i cant really use products with harsh ingredients

i also sweat really easily, which is why i dont really have the habit of doing skincare during the day. i usually only do my skincare at night because i hate the feeling of having products sitting on my face when im sweating 😭

i live in a very humid country but sleep with the aircon on at night, so my skin sometimes feels like it cant decide whether it wants to be oily or dry 🥲 i also have pets, which may possibly be contributing to my skin issues, and i have to be mindful of the products i use around them as well.

im currently a university student, so im really looking for budget friendly products that wont break the bank, preferably a simple routine that doesnt take too much time.
most importantly, im looking for recommendations for:
a good cleanser that can remove dirt and excess oil without stripping my skin or making it feel tight and a sunscreen that wont trigger breakouts or leave my face feeling greasy

im open to recommendations from anyone!! drugstore products are totally fine, and i dont mind spending a little more if the product is genuinely worth it.

if anyone has similar skin concerns, especially acne + eczema + sensitive skin, pls share what has worked for you!! 🥹 would really appreciate any recommendations, tips or simple routines that have helped you manage your skin.
thank you so much in advance!! 💗

i have a history of about 6-7 years of acne. finally got a hold on it,but still traumatized by the acne scars. does anyone know how to get rid of these? (ignore my spot treatment). i currently have alpha arbutin,txa serum but idk which is better to start with. im regularly using aziderm 15% but i dont really think its doing anything. recommend products.

Hello! Just looking for some general advice while waiting on a dermatologist appointment that’s still a couple months away. I’ve had persistent acne in the spots shown that haven’t gotten better or worse with different products or routines. I don’t know my skin type exactly, but it seems to be dry and sensitive around these areas but oily up closer to my temples and forehead.

At my last GP appointment, she recommended I try a daily face wash and a water-based gel, which is what I currently use 2x a day. Sometimes it does fluctuate how badly my acne flairs up, but it hasn’t changed much in either direction.

Only other relevant info I can think of is that I do have mild reaction to dog dander despite having a dog. But we try to keep the hair well-managed around the house, and it doesn’t seem to cause any skin irritation.

hi everyone, I have been having acne since the past 10 months. blood tests came back okay, and I also got checked for pcos and everything seems fine but I still have acne.
I quit using my BB cream 6 weeks ago and I don’t use anything for my skin right now but it’s still not good.
I’d only have 1-2 pimples during my period in the past and never had an acne problem. right now its mostly on my chin and forehead, I also have them on my cheeks and above my lip area.

I went to the doctor today and he prescribed acnelyse (said it’s a better version of accutane with less side effects) 0.1% and told me to use it everyday for 9 months. he said it may get worse around 2-3rd month mark but if its still bad after 5 months, I should quit. if not, I have to complete 9 months.
though, I’m not sure about it because I have dry and sensitive skin, and 0.1% everyday seemed like a lot to me. is this normal? I’d appreciate any help/advice on this :)

I've been using it for a month, the dryness has reduced a lot but the colour isn't my normal self.

I'm wondering whether it will ever go, I use it every night

its a mixture of keloids and acne of some sort i dont know what to call it. I went to a derm for my face and just chimed in the fact that I also have chest keloids and marks that never goes away unlike my face acne. So far I dont put anything on it just normal body soap and water. What do i put on my chest so that it goes away? sometimes it becomes itchy especially when sweaty, same marks appear on my back too. What do i put? My Derm said to put clobetasol propionate on the keloids but im scared it might irritate the other acne around it so im genuinely not sure what to put on my chest I just wish it would be clear. same for my back.

Ask mini questions about acne here.

It's Monday and we are all mostly back at work and grumpy. We don't have time for more than some quick Q and A so post those questions below.

My spouse is looking for a spot acne treatment. She is currently using acne patches but would like alternatives and ways to help the acne go away faster What are your best recommendations?

I keep breaking out around my eyebrows and in the middle of them and my eyes. I also break out on my nose tips alot so its often red from scars. I wash my face twice a day and apply glycolic acid to them sometimes. Pimple patches help flatten them but they keep coming back in the exact same spot. What can i do?

Hi everyone, first of all I wanna say that English isn’t my main language so sorry if i make mistakes writing, before 3 days I woke up with a pimple that was a little bit bigger than usually, ofc I tried popping it and there was weird white liquid coming out first, but after that only blood so I stopped, I noticed that day by day it got bigger and it became rock hard, right now it feels very big inside the skin, and it feels very hard when touched, it also hurts a lot when I try to lay down on this side of the head, I wanted to ask if anyone had a similar problem recently, and if so how did you treat it?I am not even sure if it’s only a pimple as it is so hard!!!

Hey I’ve just started using Epiduo for acne among my chin cheeks and jaw. I need advice and tips about how to put this in routine to minimise peeling, burning and purging.
Further on form this, this is a prescribed medication but the doctor gave me no info on how long to use it or what to do when I stop using.
Pls help and thanks xxx