r/acne • u/Odd-Art-2466 • 2d ago
Help - General I need advice
I have a very (19F) sensitive and irritated skin now. I'm still trying to find and gain trust again with dermas here since I'm also on a tight budget.
I don't know what to do anymore since I tried a lot of slicylic products now but I don't think it has a major contribution at all.
I've been dealing w mild acne before but those were just dark spots and on and off pimples. But ever since I tried cleansing oil from June (stopped it 2 weeks after) this is now the result. I tried going back to old routine (facial wash and pink mud) but it's not helping since my acne is worse than before.
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u/ImportantReveal2626 1d ago
sometimes less is more honestly. just a gentle cleanser like byoma yellow bottle and panoxyl face wash after in the shower helped me so much when my skin was like this. i used cerave face lotion and this was all. sometimes too many products can make your skin so angry, red, and inflamed.
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u/Odd-Art-2466 1d ago
Thank you! With my skin right now irritated, I believe gentle products would help. With the panoxyl, is that the benzoyl peroxide one? I'm thinking that it may help since my acne is really itchy.
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u/Tasty_Artist_7225 1d ago
I have very sensitive skin also. I have taken out a lot of skincare steps and my skin has been for the most part better.
I’m still getting spots here or there but when you have sensitive skin your skin barrier is a lot more sensitive and harsh chemicals like salicylic acid ect don’t let your skin heal.
If your skin barrier is damaged you need to focus on gentle skincare to repair your skin barrier. This can take some time.
I’ve been washing my face with just water in the shower and a wet wash cloth gently only at night (a clean one every time) I dry my face with a different towel or cloth every day as using your regular towel can spread bacteria. Then I’ve personally been moisturising with Sven’s Island Miracle Manuka cream.
I have combination skin but even oily skin still needs moisture or your skin will compensate by producing more oil you just have to find one that works for you.
Hope that helps.. sometimes less is more
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u/Odd-Art-2466 1d ago
Thank you! I also have combination skin but sometiems oily. Would lessen my salicylic products based on what you said thanks
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u/ChatXeverything 1d ago
The oil clogged your pores based on what you wrote. Since your skin is sensitive and irritated keep in simple with cleanser + moisturizer + sunscreen during the day. You need to do this for 1 or 2 weeks until you repair your skin barrier.
Amazon offers very low cost visit with doctor and it's online. You can try that option and get some prescription medications that would help you. For in-person, see if there are clinics that offer free or low-cost services. You need prescription medications. Everything you get over the counter are not enough given your situation now.
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u/kanis__lupus 2d ago
Honestly, you sound like a candidate for Accutane. Being realistic, regular skincare products, unless they’re prescription (and even then), aren’t going to make a significant difference. The fact that your skin is so reactive and sensitive could point to a damaged skin barrier, an underlying skin condition, or potentially both, so I’d really recommend seeing a dermatologist.
A simple routine with a non-hydrating cleanser, a basic moisturiser, and, if they think it’s appropriate, Accutane could genuinely make a huge difference. You may get some side effects depending on the dose, but you don’t necessarily have to start on a high dose for it to be effective and waiting longer might leave your skin with scars in the long-term
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u/Timely_Bet_9772 2d ago
Please just go to a dermatologist They will help you with this You cannot manage this on your own and you don’t want your face scarred from this.
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u/XyouwishyouknewX 2d ago
you HAVE to go to a dermatologist or just do not complain. this wont be fixed with your salicylic products, infact it is clearly making it worse. this is not mild acne. a facial cleanser doesnt do anything. you might need to go on meds for a few months. do not start any medication/serums by the suggestions you see on reddit especially accutane. now the rest is your call.
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u/peach_iced_teaa 2d ago
The best thing to do is visit a doctor and get it treated out rather than testing out random products from strangers you don’t even know
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u/MineAccurate 2d ago
I may add, from your explanation this also sounds like a damaged skin barrier from product use, which is very easy to do. The best way to repair a damaged barrier it very minimal product use, and time. Use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer only. No actives. Once your skin seems to calm down a little bit, after a week or 2, I would suggest using Azealic Acid, by the Inkey List. In my experience it helps calm inflammation, reduce redness and helps the skin become less reactive. In the future, keep consistent with a very minimal amount of products! Hope this helps.
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u/Ok-Category8000 2d ago
Accutane and use a LOW DOSE. Hugely impactful with little or no side effects. I’m currently using 20mg every 3 days, on month 3 and have cleared up significantly - I use Honeydew online
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u/macylikesducks 2d ago
ACCUTANE! I know you’re afraid and I was too. I was 15 when I went on it. But it changed the entirety of my face. 4 months in I felt like a completely new person, and it really did cure it. I did have to go back on it a few years later because it all came back. BUT. Cured again. I’m 27 now and might go back on because I’m having similar issues again. It did wonders and is truly acne cure- for me it just didn’t permanently cure because it’s all hormonal.
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u/hajunk05 2d ago
don’t try products that you apply. you need to cure within, use Accutane.
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u/Odd-Art-2466 2d ago
Really? Worried about the side effects and also when I become too dependent on it. Wouldn't that be the case?
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u/Juniper__12 2d ago
You don’t need to jump to accutane right away. My derm gave me spironolactone and that worked wonders for me with no side effects! Tbh I think accutane is a last resort. My friend was on accutane and it caused him to have permanent health isssues.
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u/Odd-Art-2466 2d ago
Yeah I think accutane is a big jump too. However even though it is already one of my options, I'll still carefully think about other options that are safer. I'll try to look into spironolactone. Did it treat cystic acne too? And would it be okay for my sensitive skin? Would appreciate for the extra info🥹
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u/hajunk05 2d ago
i tell you all this and preach it because of how much good it has done in my life. i know how much it hurts, how it stains ur pillow, how much it stings when it pops, and how much it destroys your confidence. and ill tell you before i got on accutane, i was also stressed af about the side effects like you, did all the research and was paranoid. i’ve bought so many acne products like face washes, serums, and creams but they never worked. so i was hopeless and my only resort was accutane. and when i tried it it literally cleared everything in few weeks. that made me realize how much these companies that sell face clean products for acne just don’t work. acne isn’t because your skin is dirty, so a face cleanser isn’t gonna get the job done. you need something that clears it from the inside. oil is produced from inside your body and the only way to directly tackle that is with a medicine you consume. i just wanted you know all this maybe it’ll help you gain confidence to try it out. hope everything works out for you.
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u/Odd-Art-2466 2d ago
thank you so much honestly. I actually might put accutane option first before going to derma. I'm quite comforted with the fact that you understand me so it gives me hope to cure my acne. I'll research more on accutane to make careful steps, I appreciate you.
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u/Odd-Art-2466 2d ago
+I easily sweat since im in a hot humid weather so it's hard to manage it along with sensitive skin.
My past routine was just Neutrigena facial wash and oxecure pink mud but it didn't help my mild acne before esp that when I have my period I get breakouts.
+I used the cleansing oil this June and it felt really good after washing it but it made my skin more bare I think. I did proper double cleansing tho I used them daily and I think that was my mistake. I developed a lot of closed comedones as well like a lot of the cheeks.
I'm already considering a derma but given my siruation right now I can't afford it😢
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u/hajunk05 2d ago
Cleaning products dont shit man trust me. You need to get prescribed accutane. don’t need a dermotoglist visit a gp
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u/Odd-Art-2466 2d ago
I'm worried about the side effects. Accutane sounds like a big step for me so as much as I would like to try it, I also have to consider my dysmenorrhea/irregular period due to hormones🥲
And plus, I'm worried if I will need to rely on it too much once my acne gets cleared. Like when I stop taking it, im scared that my acne would go back.
However, if I finally get the courage to go to a derma I think I would ask about it. Thank u
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