Hi guys,

I have been suffering with what began as mild acne since I was about 16. At the time I didn't even know I had acne and my doctor prescribed me tetracycline which I look for about 2 years and worked wonders until the end of 6th form - my skin was pretty much completely clear! I continued taking the antibiotic on and off for the first two years of university and stopped taking it between my first and second year - my skin was still pretty clear so I didn't feel the need to try any other acne medication. However towards the end of my second year I went to Swaziland on a uni trip. My skin had been gradually getting worse but even whilst was in Swaziland I was comfortable enough not to wear make up. Eventually after a couple of months of being back I went to the doctor who prescribed me erythromycin tablets and differin. My skin has been so much worse since. I barely used the differin and thought that maybe the break outs were to do with my foundation that I bought after Swaziland.

I stopped using the foundation and my parents said it looked a lot better - but still pretty severe! The past week I have been using differin every night and my skin is probably abit worse than usual. I can't look at myself anymore I'm so on edge about what I eat in case it makes my skin worse and am terrified of using make up in case it makes it worse but also not confident at all without it. I have also got breakouts in new places like along the side of my face between my eyes and hairline, jaw and at the back of my jawline on my neck. I feel disgusting.

My question is, is it worth taking the differin? If the tablets I took before were fine do I NEED the differin if its potentially making my skin wrose? I have no idea why I'm getting these new breakouts and my skin seems to have changed completely.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thank you!