My advice to you is to swallow your anxiety and start getting social again, Unlike me you're still young and have a chance I'm 24 and started having mild acne since I was 15 but it was fine I didn't really pay it that much attention then it started getting aggressive around the age of 17 I completely let it control my life and my face only got worse becuase of how depressed I was and still am.

Do not end up like me I know it's tough and doesn't seem natural when you have somewhat severe acne and look at other people with clear skin especially around those jerks who point it out but the more you let it take over your life the more it makes you withdraw from society and the harder it gets for you to take over your life again, You might be thinking of me as a hyporcite right now and saying to yourself "Why don't you apply your advice on yourself?" And that's exactly what I'm talking about I tried over and over and I know it's possible for me to become normal again but it's just too hard because I spent my entire teenage years waiting for it to miraculously just disappear.

So occupy yourself with life and social events and I can assure you that you will notice immediate change but on one condition, You have to be utterly convienced deep inside that everything is gonna be alright and stop paying it too much attention and intentionally staring at your face for long periods of time looking for flaws and zits and believe me the psychological factor will work its magic

I think everyone here can relate to how you feel.

I think accutane is deffo something u out should consider and maybe discuss with a derm. It gives people their lives back. I know it has horrid side effects but you have to weigh it up.

I now take medication for my anxiety which has helped a fair bit.

Have you spoken to a doctor about how you feel?

I feel sad for you. I just joined this post because I occaisonally get a pimple when its that time of the month.

Now, like you, I have spent my college years with anxiety and depression. I had makeup and that made life easier.

I also have gained control of my acne. But you see, you are a man and we are different. I would talk to your doctor about regulating your hormones. See this is why we typically get acne. Sublaceous gland over produce their oils and our pores get clogged.

To minimize this effect there are things you can do to find your triggers.

You can not simply do all at once because you are different from everyone and have your own set of DNA.

I will list a few triggers and you can take each one out for 2 weeks at a time. 2 wedks is a general time period your body adjust to changes.

Here is a list of known triggers:

Dairy (milk, yogurt, soft cheeses) I have cheddar only on occassion! This is what really made a difference with me. Including my roseacea.

Alcohol

Unhealthy processed foods

Starches and most unatural carbs (I only eat brown bread)

Pillow case, bedding, towels

Laundry detergent and softner sheets!!!!!! Acne can also be triggered by sensitivity. Are you itchy or red with breakouts??

Celll phone, telephone, remote, handles... These are handled frequently...

The right cleanser.... I use Clinique 3 step! I only use it when I need to wash my face. So only when I feel oily!

Also wipe your face down when you feel oily!! Carry kleenex with you and just wipe your face when you feel it!!

Zinc tablets (eat first)

Niacin Flush once a week!! Go to a Nutrician store and buy Niacin tablets... Start with half and read the instructions. It makes you red and itchy but man does it take all your toxins out!! Don't take it befor going anywhere because it makes your body vessels open and you look bright red! This is said to be one of the best cures!!

Getting rid of acne is a lifestyle change and understandig your body and skin. You may be trying different products so often that they don't have time to work... Go to a skin specialist or Clinique ans use the product sparingly twice a day morning and night.

Give your face a chance to breathe. Once a week leave your face alone and only clean it with water to rid of the oils and always a clean towel with no dryer softners!!!

I BET!!!! Your face is irritated!! Pets also do this!! Also acne has chambers that link under the skin so DO NOT POP!! Mix aspirin and benzoyl peroxide together and apply it on the zit and leave it there! These products onky work when combined!! Bet no one told you that.

Lastly...

Face masks!! Woo!!

Tumeric and boiled water apply until dry! Once a week! Before bed... Then use a gel cleanser to wash it off!! Only USE gel product!! This is for your moisturizer as well as cleanser!!

Aspirin mask and boiled water!! Once or twice a week... No more than that unless used as a topical pimple destroyer!!

Regulary steaming of the face really good for that one day a week when your not using your products!! Put your hot water on and take a white wash cloth and put it in the hot water, wring it out, then gently put on your face and let it sit there! This is so calming!!

Here is my routine a saviour and I will always love it as my life has been amazing since!

3 Step Clinique System!

I use gel liquid cleanser in Mild

Purple toner swiped with a face pad

Yellow GEL!!! Not lotion! Make sure it the GEL!! Do you know how many times they have grabbed the wrong product??

Morning amd night!

Oh and the other important thing !!!!!!! 7 Step Exfoliator !!!!!! I ise it every other day!! I listened to my skin and eventually thats what it wanted!!

Good luck and hopefully you all listen to this informative message I just spent an hour on!! I did SO much research!!

My advice for you is to change the entire system that propagates your depression. Change your value system! What do you value in live? If you alter it from a physical based life to a spiritual or pragmatic sort of life... Then things may look up your way.

Become intensely obsessed with a subject. Study it. Write a novel. Do something that requires all thought, so that thought cannot fall on your acne.

Of course, my acne has never been that awful. But it has made social events intolerable for me. I am trying to get through it all now.

I have faith in you.

if you want to solve your problem, get some tests done. Check for food sensitivities, gut health, etc. no sensitivity is not the same as allergy.

I suggest seeing a naturopath. It's worth the money. they make sure you get cleared up by figuring out what's wrong internally.

I know I am going to begin to sound like a broken record on this forum--but I want to recommend the Acne.org regimen to you. I had some pretty moderate acne a few months ago, but I've been using the regimen for the past few months and I've seen such a dramatic improvement. Like you, I've tried sooooooo many freakin treatments, but none seemed to yield results. Using the regimen everyday and an overnight baking soda mask has helped. Any social anxieties that I have had started to wane as a result-I hope you can soon find the same solace/peace of mind!