Hi, I am in the same boat, I have tried everything and do everything 'right' but I have had acne for 10 years and for the the most part and the last year I have had severe acne on my back and chest which is obviously horrible and stops me doing a lot and wearing clothes I like.

Nothing has ever had a great impact on my skin but the only gel I think helps treat the acne that is already there is finacea (which you might have tried) but I don't find too drying and my skin is super dry. Also, I bought a good product called indian healing clay on amazon. To make a mask you mix it with apple cider vinegar which i am going to try tomorrow but so far I have mixed it with water and it did reduce redness. I think if you have tried lots of oral antibiotics you might be able to try roaccutane (I am trying this soon).

I am the worst person for hating myself for my skin and being angry and disappointed when I see it, but I have tried to seperate myself from my skin by reminding myself that its not my fault so why should I beat myself up about it. Also, I try to think 'would you say what you're saying to yourself to a friend'- no! I found this youtube video titled how to have confidence with acne a little helpful (starts at 1;44 really)

Hopefully I have given you a new tip/idea, and good luck!

I was the exact same way up until 3 months ago. I dropped all of my old regimen and trust me like you I tried absolutely everything and covered my face in makeup just to leave my bedroom and feel half decent. I never made eye contact with anyone cause of the embarrassment. Until I started using jajoba oil and glycolic acid. I started using just a plain soap like glycerine soap or any soap that will act as a very mild cleanser to wash my face. Then I used a 10% glycolic acid toner from neostrata along with a 10% glycolic acid lotion. After I applied jajoba oil 100% dessert essence. This completely cleared my acne and scars within 3 months but it didn't start off that way. This will cause an initial breakout because it will draw absolutely everything out from your pores. But trust me when I say that for me it was more than worth is. I don't even have small flesh coloured bumps anymore literally every acne bump big and smallis gone and I can't believe it. Be very careful with glycolic acid tho and lean your skin into it because it will dry it the eff out. I also used ground flaxseeds and mixed them in water to make a flaxseed mask which is a miracle worker for acne scars and dry skin after using glycolic acid.You can use it as much as you want it doesn't clog my pores at all. This is what worked worked for me and I hope it all work

Hi becky I have suffered with moderate acne for years but recently tried vitamin d and c either 5000ui or 10000ui I find 5000ui better though u must try it honestly has been amazing pimple seem to dissappear 75% quicker and try mario badescu drying lotion amazing for drying pimples out!

Thank you for all your advice! 
Ive tried glycolic acid but i kept having a reaction to it after applying it.. turns out I'm allergic! .. I switched to salicylic acid which helped a little but it still makes my skin peel and red like the benzoyl peroxide. I have really sensitive, dehydrated skin which is definitely not ideal as most acne treatments are quite strong and drying I will try the vitamins and see! Considering going to a dermatologist but they are CRAZY expensive. But I've tried most things and nothing seems to help 
thank you all for the advice  

Hello Becky,

I am a physician and I'm active in research pertaining to acne and rosacea (similar but affects older people). I also happen to suffer from severe acne (15 years +) and I understand all too well the psychological morbidity. I remember avoiding mirrors, avoiding looking people in the eye, and not going to events because I was too embarrassed about my acne. Anyways, yeah I feel your pain.

Unfortunately there are a lot of companies that sell products for acne for which there has been no RCTs or studies at all in dermatologic journals (or elsewhere on Pubmed). In terms of what has been written above, there has been one study (pilot, observational) that showed a slight improvement of mild (comedones, minimal papules) acne treated with jojoba oil. Glycolic acid, azelaic acid, and salicylic (all mentioned above) have all been shown to help mild acne.

DO NOT take 100,000 IU/d vitamin A until first talking with your doctor. Vit-A is lipophilic and cumulative effects are seen with prelonged use; continuous use of this dosage of vit A at 100,000IU/d can cause hepatic damage (hurts your liver). Tylenol, alcohol, and renal failure would make it even worse.I haven't read any studies using vit C or D for acne, and I've never seen it used in clinical practice. If you want expensive urine, have at it; just be sure to tell your doctor and don't go over the upper limit on the bottle.

If you cannot see a derm, at least see your PCP/general doctor.