Acne.org Products
Hi all,
Ive been reading lots on this site recently and its really helped me feel like Im not alone in my struggle with acne as someone in their mid-twenties (25), though it feels like everyone around me has perfect skin and I never grew out of the teenage phase!
I wondered if anyone has any good tips for products/regimes that have helped with extremely sensitive skin? To give you an idea, if I scratch/rub even the smallest area of my skin anywhere on my body, it will be bright red for a good 5-10 minutes, to the point where work colleagues or friends will ask if I have sunburn or if something is wrong. I have extremely fair skin which is highly reactive, in particular on my face, which is mainly oily in composition. Topically, I have tried antibiotics on prescription in combination with Epiduo (peroxide and adapalene) and basically every OTC treatment going, from high-end targeted products like La Roche Posays Effaclar range to natural remedies like the oil cleansing method in conjunction with going dairy-free and even vegan for a time. I never noticed any improvement despite sticking with initiative each for several months. The only thing which helped was Differin cream which I have used for over a year, but the extreme flakiness and sensitivity comes and goes every couple of weeks and I cant bear how sore it makes my skin. I have read online that your skin adjusts and stops flaking but this has not happened for me despite using a good moisturiser as a buffer and taking days off from the Differin application.
I do tend to get worse spots before my period so have tried many different types of contraceptive pill (including Dianette specifically for my acne). I am currently on a low-dose minipill as I have been told I can no longer take combined pills due to migraines and the stroke risk. The leaflet with this pill says it can make acne worse but at this point I am just happy to have found a pill that I can take, and Ive not noticed that my acne is any worse than it was before.
When I have extremely flaky spots, I do pick the flakes off as I feel so self conscious, shedding all the time. People tell me this is the worst thing I can do and Ive been trying really hard to leave my face alone and not pick. Its just very hard as it almost always hurts and itches so much that I cant stop myself from touching it and checking I havent developed new scabs/flakes/weeping spots. They also develop in random areas of my face that I havent picked at - its totally unpredictable! At the moment mainly cheeks and chin but next month it could be my forehead and temples.
Im really unable to cope with my skin problems anymore and would love to know what worked for some of you. If possible, I would like to avoid taking Roaccutane/Rizuderm as I would be very worried about the side effects. However, I would be interested to hear positive experiences...
If anyone has any advice at all, I would be so grateful.
Thanks!
i have sort of the same problem as you. extremely sensitive skin (if i touch or pick, my skin will be red from 15 mins to hours)
i have no proof but i suspect thatthe different skin creams issued by my doctor many years ago caused long term damage & skin sensitivity.
firstly i would say, do a lot of research here and on google,also use the search bar and check out old threads for"cures", there might be something which can help you(?)
anyway, some things which work for me (not saying you have to try them - im not a doctor)-
-limit face washing to once or twice daily - some people swear by using water only.
-avoid touching skin,
-avoid or limit products which contain SLS - there is lots of good SLS free soaps you can try.
-use fluoride and SLS free toothpaste (since using Euthymol toothpaste, my chin has calmed down and looks 100% better)
- try the caveman regimen - some members here say it works great for skin problems.
diet
-google what to avoid in regards to diet and acne/bad skin (i personally find sweets and fizzy drinks cause me problems)
-drink more water.
-try vitamins - C,D,Zinc etc are some vitamins which help some people here.
if all fails, i find using aover night, topical dispersible aspirin masks works quite well at curing redness/swellings/ some acne damage etc. - research health & safetybefore tying.
19 hours ago, MrBakery said:i have sort of the same problem as you. extremely sensitive skin (if i touch or pick, my skin will be red from 15 mins to hours)
i have no proof but i suspect that the different skin creams issued by my doctor many years ago caused long term damage & skin sensitivity.
firstly i would say, do a lot of research here and on google, also use the search bar and check out old threads for "cures", there might be something which can help you(?)
anyway, some things which work for me (not saying you have to try them - im not a doctor)-
-limit face washing to once or twice daily - some people swear by using water only.
-avoid touching skin,
-avoid or limit products which contain SLS - there is lots of good SLS free soaps you can try.
-use fluoride and SLS free toothpaste (since using Euthymol toothpaste, my chin has calmed down and looks 100% better)
- try the caveman regimen - some members here say it works great for skin problems.diet
-google what to avoid in regards to diet and acne/bad skin (i personally find sweets and fizzy drinks cause me problems)
-drink more water.
-try vitamins - C,D,Zinc etc are some vitamins which help some people here.if all fails, i find using a over night, topical dispersible aspirin masks works quite well at curing redness/swellings/ some acne damage etc. - research health & safety before tying.
Thank you MrBakery 
some good ideas there I hadn™t come across before - I™ll be sure to let you know if I get on well with any of them, especially the SLS avoidance!