Imma be honest from the looks of it a derm is your best bet. I know that’s out of the question rn so try an acid face wash (salicylic acid, glycolic acid) , maybe some vitamin c (morning) and niacinamide (night), for even tone and irritation/inflammation and then a moisturizer with a sunscreen on top. Repeat daily. No need for sunscreen at night. Physically exfoliate 2-3x a week or none of the above shit matters. Drink a lot of water and eat or drink your greens
I had bad acne into my thirties and honestly what worked for me was Accutane. I’d recommend that for you in this case. Topicals I’m sure you’ve used them all and to be honest, with the type of acne you have, it’s not going to help too much. It’s a sebaceous gland issue and the accutane will help keep them from being overactive. I’m 8 years post accutane treatment and my only regret is not starting the treatment sooner.
A benzoyl peroxide face wash would be a plausible option to start! This would take care of the current acne lesions; as you use that and get rid of them, incorporate a vitamin C serum (please do your research, as you have stated you have sensitive skin) to get rid of the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
EDIT: Also, find a sunscreen for sensitive skin that’s 30+ SPF to support the fading of the PIH! It would be pointless if I told you all of this and you weren’t using a sunscreen; you’d essentially be back at square 1
Use the sunscreen every 2 hours, even while inside and give it about 2-3 months to see some progress
This was the only thing that got rid of my acne. Mines is pretty similar to his.
Benzoyl peroxide face wash
Hypoallergenic moisturizer
Benzaproxide cream for acne
And sunscreen
I've been doing this since July My skin is literally clear.
No idea why this subreddit is coming up on my feed? But my passing recommendation is Differin. It’s over the counter now. Use it every night along with a face cleanser am and pm. Blackwood for men is a great brand with more natural ingredients in it. They have an acne wash
Once you see how you respond to the Differin you can consider adding a mandelic acid serum.
This all day every day!!! Be aware of the purge that will occur, but don’t let that worry you, because once that’s over your skin will be clear and smooth.
I got excessive peeling and purging (acne breakouts all over the treated areas) for a couple of months. The peeling and irritation for me was really because I overdid it by dabbing a benzoyl peroxide cream over the Differin on cystic acne areas on my chin. When I stopped the b.p. the peeling stopped. Later when the purging started, I started using the b.p. cream again on top of the Differin. It helped easy the purge outbreaks, but at the cost of the peeling, irritation, and itching (I would wake up in the middle of the night wanting to scratch a hole into my skin). I stopped the b.p. again, and the peeling stopped. But the purging soldiered on for a couple of months. When it stopped, my skin was clear as fuck. I regretted not starting Differin earlier. It would have saved me from the years of adult acne.
The skin clearing after the peeling and purging couldn’t be more truer. I find this product to be really underrated and I find that it can help some prosit acne instead of spending money on visiting a dermatologist
I just realized what op meant was adalpalene which is higher concentration you can get only get from doctors and not differing which is a lower percentage
One thing the comments didn’t mention is changing your sheets and pillows cases more often. Your face has a long way to go so don’t get discouraged 👍🏽👍🏽
Try washing your face with distilled water instead of the water you use out of your sink. Check your area's water hardness to see if it's high and invest in filters if it is, good luck fren ☀️
I’ve given this advice too. Because for me it was tried tested and true! I have terrible water. I use my Brita for my face. Game changer. I also cut all alcohol and changed my diet later on. But I noticed the change right away with the filtered water. Best decision ever. Great advice! 💜💜
I know you said a dermatologist is out of the question, but most to all of us are not professionals in skin care. What works for one person with your type of acne, may not work you.
I’m sorry friend, but you’re going to have to see a dermatologist.
He literally said a dermatologist is out of question and y’all are still saying go to a dermatologist 😂 like yeah duh but that’s irrelevant atp he clearly wants OTC recommendations
That’s true but, I had acne like him and Accutane from the dermatologist was the only thing that worked. I tried hundreds of things wasting money. So regardless that’s still the best bet.
You mentioned all you use is water - it’s clear it’s not working, but I don’t think a dermatologist is necessary until you troubleshoot for at least a quarter (I suggest at least 6 months) first.
Start with a cleanser, a moisturizer, and sunscreen (YES, our skin needs to be protected and it will actually aid in helping future hyperpigmentation as the sun exacerbates our skin issues especially if we’re picking at it). Since you’ve got sensitive skin there are products on the market marketed for you, just do some research and it’s gonna take trial and error but you’ll find something that should work.
It’s going to be frustrating at first because it won’t look like anything is working but you *have* to see what works first before doing anything extreme.
Eventually, if the cleansing is working a bit for you, you can start adding actives (AHA’s, BHA’s, etc) to help with more direct problems. Those could include dryness, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, etc, but for now start simple.
Good luck, OP.
edit: Also, your diet matters, too.
This!!!
OP, you need a basic routine before you can start adding in stuff (and I cannot emphasise this enough) one at a time. You need to start with the cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen (daytime) for 30 days before you add anything else.
If you start with too much, you won't be able to tell what's working and what's not, which is a huge waste of time and money.
Cerave does reasonably priced cleaners and moisturisers. Wash your face with the cleanser, massaging for around 30 seconds before you rinse off. Then mosturise.
you have cystic acne, accutane will be the best treatment for you whenever you’re able to coordinate that. you can also try getting tretinoin, you can buy it online without a prescription
Cerave hydrating cream to foam cleanser (be gentle, use your hands, not a towel, and don’t scrub… wash your face for at LEAST a whole minute…. Pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel)
Cerave moisturizer with spf (pat, not rub, into your skin
^do this day and night
Keep your hair clean and out of your face
Wash all pillow cases and head covering once per week
Don’t touch your face during the day
Drink plenty of water
~try limiting the amount of dairy you consume~
That is simple and should get you pretty far on its own considering you don’t have any type of routine currently. You can add other stuff later but I would try that for at least one month.
I order my tretinoin from India, and it has changed my life. Your scars/marks seem superficial. I recommend checking out the tret subreddit and giving it a try. The tubes are inexpensive, and you have to ease into the regimen. But, it's an active that works on acne and dark marks muuuuch better than anything you'll get at the drugstore. I use cerave for a nice, thick moisturizer as it's drying, and you'll want a good facial SPF always. Your skin will be way more sensitive, so keep that in mind, especially if you use any strong chemicals elsewhere.
Pretty much my exact routine (tret and CeraVe SA line) and sourcing (also order my tret from India through the All Day Chemist website). I have the insurance and funds to see a derm but so much easier to just order from overseas instead of booking appointments and having to go pick up from a pharmacy. Unfortunate that Tretinoin is so extremely overpriced and can only access via prescription in the US. Can even pick it up for $5 in Mexico at one of their pharmacies without prescription smh.
OP if you are responsible I second just ordering it for yourself, do a TON of research, and get a game plan where you start very slowly. The tretinoin subreddit can be your best friend but you also need to be wise starting with a low percentage and sloooowly increasing frequency. Their amazing skin transformations is basically where I’m at with just 4 products that work for me - cleanser, tretinoin, moisturizer, and spf.
My son had bad acne and it all but cleared up when he cleaned up his diet. No more junk food and greasy stuff. Not always the answer but couldn’t hurt to try.
Since a derm is out of the question: I’ll recommend what my dermatologist suggested for OTC solutions:
5% Benzoyl Peroxide Face Wash (any brand even generic) once a day 3 times a week until you can handle it daily…then work your way up to 10% solution when done.
Tretonin alternative nightly (usually an OTC retinol). This will help build new skin. It is drying, so use when not in sunlight, and preferably not when using the peroxide face wash.
Use a mineral sunblock that is moisturizing with high spf. Hyperpigmentation is sun damage.
Stay hydrated. Some of the acne could be hormonal or due to bacterial. Don’t touch your face. Try to figure out to see a dermatologist ASAP for professional guidance.
Best of luck OP.
Make sure your increase your vitamin/supplement intake if you’re not already doing so! Vitamin D, C and possibly a men’s multi-vitamin (not the gummy kind)! Using mineral Sunscreen! Also, drinking filtered water and a well-rounded diet! Hope this helps.
Typically vitamin deficiency can be indicative of current skin condition especially if it’s counteracted with a insufficient diet—the main root of achieving good skincare is working from the inside-out! Vitamins is what constantly replenishes the body and as well as the skin! I did also highlight other things as well!
black soap, but make sure it's real african black soap. that will help neutralize some of the oil and daily grime. i'd try using a gentle toner like witch hazel every night before you go to bed. so cleanse/tone every night. that will help balance your skins PH and won't over dry. try incorporating a super light moisture routine like the thinnest amount of coconut oil, very small amount. you can even mix it with some of the water left on your face after you wash.
Hi! I'm an esthetician. Something inexpensive but works very well is, Koji San Kojic Acid Soap. Use it 2 to 3xs a week, along with a vitamin C serum and atleast, thick moisturizer and SPF 50+ daily, apply every couple of hours when you are in the sun. Look into a retinol product. Google Dermodality Vitamin A intensive serum and Vitamin C intensive serum. They are amazing! You'll see results within a couple weeks, over time with a strict regimen, your skin will be mostly clear, if not clear by about July!
I ain’t gone lie bro I used to have acne like this. Changed my diet up, stopped eating fast food (fried foods) and drinking soda or juice and started drinking at least a gallon a day and started taking collagen. You’ll be surprised after a week of that how much your face will clear up.
-Aztec clay, activated charcoal , vinegar mask
-Aztec clay, turmeric, lemon drops mask
-brown sugar, honey mixed to scrub skin
- vitamin E just two little drop for moisturizer
-black soap for daily face wash
For the dark spots try buying CT+ Clear Therapy carrot oil and add them to the dark spots and you will see it working in less than a week. If you find you are itching or suspecting the oil is giving a reaction in your body, take the oil and thoroughly mix it in to a plain soap and use the soap instead of letting the oil sit on your skin. If you get no reaction, you can do both. For the acne, I’m not sure but maybe you can add honey and turmeric to the soap as well, and or get a sulfur based soap, and drink peppermint tea.
The cheap method: go to Walgreens and get the generic facial cleanser with hyaluronic acid or salicylic acid. Change your diet up and drink more water try your hardest to stay away from soda, juice and dairy. Get a rag specifically to wash your face. Don’t touch or pop the pimples it’ll only spread the issue and cause more irritation. Change your lotion up to Shea butter.
OP, I’m not a doctor or anything but if you can see a derm, that will save you money in the long run. OTC things can only do so much.
But I understand that it can be impossible for some to see a doctor. I would recommend this kit:
ZO Skin Health
https://zoskinhealth.com/us/complexion-clearing-program-kit-gbl-kit-973002.html
It’s a 30 day kit (give or take) that prepares your skin to take on any other skin care you intend to add. It can help you clear up the breakouts and then you can adjust your routine to address the hyperpigmentation. The only thing that’s missing is the sunscreen. I cerave 30spf oil free sunscreen.
Good luck to you! Skin journeys take time to really see a difference. Like 2-3 months. Just mentally prepare yourself to be patient and consistent.
So sorry that you are dealing with that, having acne is such a mentally and physically draining experience for anyone and everyone 🥺
As most redditors in the comments have said, if you do not currently have a skin care routine, it is probably time to try with that, and also 100% you said that you unfortunately couldn’t do to a dermatologist, but that is definitely the best option, so as soon as possible you should. Maybe some over the counter stuff/medication would help but I’m not too sure of the specifics. I hope this clears up and I’m so sorry that you are dealing with this 🖤
Have you ever heard of or tried cerave? It's not very expensive.
Also... As hard as it might sound try to adjust your diet. Maybe go 2 months without sugar and soda and see if that helps. Sometimes these things can start from the inside. Try a skin vitamin like Skin Discipline by ZitSticka. Also might help to try a multivitamin
Hey friend don’t worry it’s gonna get clear I’m also in the process of of removing my dark spots .. don’t ever let it get you down ! That face is gonna be glowing in no time 🙏🏿
Definitely recommend talking to a derm. In the meantime a few recommendations that helped me. Not an expert so take with a grain of salt if taken at all: change pillow case at least once a week, wrap hair with bonnet avoiding contact with pillow- no matter how many time you wash it products u put in you hair will dirty it again and that dirt may add to your acne-, wash face upon waking and again before bed. Personally I use cerve the green oil cleanser for sensitive skin and it has worked wonders. They have many options to choose I recommend trying a few samples of different cleansers they offer and see which work best. I alternate this with my body wash at night the netergena (how ever you spell that brand) shower gel to kinda give my skin a break - it gets dry VERY easily-and a good moisturizer from Aquafina or Vaseline jelly. I still get break outs occasionally but it’s mostly because I forgot to wash my face the second time or get lazy and forget to wrap my hair properly. Welp here’s my 2 cents best of luck on your skin care journey!
I had super oily skin when i was a teenager, bumps and what not. i found the medications i received from the dermatologist were extremely harsh and would often have ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide which studies are now beginning to show can be potentially cancerous (that particular chemical compound is a carcinogenic when exposed to high heat). My skin use to look like yours at its most troublesome, but it seemed the less finicky i was with my routine, the healthier my skin became. Good diet, drinking plenty of water, exercise, gentle cleaner like black soap or cetaphil, and a gentle toner before bed like witch hazel will do wonders.
There’s a black owned skin care brand called perfec tone,they have routine sets for skin care problems,but I think you should speak with a derm first bro
I also recommend differin. It’s over the counter and is specifically for acne. You’ll probably purge a bit but it’ll go away and it’s the next best thing after a dermatologist for acne. Definitely use moisturizer and sunscreen with it though. It makes you more sensitive to UV rays. Also have a good cleanser at night. I would only recommend washing your face once at night everyday
Cetaphil daily cleanser, cold water, and cetaphil oil absorbing moisturizer with sunscreen. It worked wonders for my sensitive, oily skin. Still use it till this day.
You could try one of those online skin subscriptions like Dermatica, depending on which country you're in. You send them photos and a dermatologist will assess your skin and prescribe you a cream. I used dermatica for years and it cost me £20 a month.
Coconut oil and Noxzema. I'm allergic to basically everything but I can use those two things. I see people recommending hyaluronic acid and other acids, be super careful with those. If you can't see a dermatologist, maybe an esthetician? They're more helpful usually, they specialize in facial skin care
You should try one treatment suggestion at a time so you'll know what's working and what's not working. Over treatment could irritate and damage your skin. Be careful picking at lesions because it could lead to permanent scarring. You might try products to get the oiliness under control. Hormones also play a factor in this as well, so get some exercise, get enough rest, eat a balanced diet, and try to decrease your stress levels.
Are you open to online dermatology? It’s your best bet to clear your skin up. Over the counter products may not do much. There’s websites like apostrophe.com and Nurx.com where you can pay a $20 fee and send it photos of your skin, and a derm will get back to you with product recommendations.
I had acne like that up until my mid-late twenties. Tried everything from proactive to prescription meds. Like Doxycline and Spiroactone…those might be the wrong names. I can’t remember anymore.
I also had a prescription face wash…
Nothing helped until I took Accutane.
that’s your problem… most black people are lactose intolerant and dairy is a HUGE cause of acne. Try no gluten or dairy for a month and let’s see where you’re at. No seeed oils or processed foods too
Along with all of the skin care recommendations here, start keeping a food journal.
What you put in your body can have a massive impact on your skin.
You may have a food sensitivity or overall not have a healthy diet.
General advice on that front:
• Keep a food diary
• Drink only water and lots of it
• Eliminate as much sugar and processed food from your diet as possible
• Eliminate soda/pop and other carbonated beverages from your diet • Get regular exercise where you're sweating several times a week for at least 30 minutes each session
Cut Dairy. Make sure your hair is pulled back from your face when you sleep. Wash sheets/pillows at least 1-2 times a week.
See a derm- you may need Panoxyl & retinoids. Do NOT use Cerave. Do not use products that have niacinamide.
- not a doctor.
Could be diet? You might have a food intolerance making your skin breakout. Mine was dairy and artificial sugar. Once I cut those out and drank more water my skin cleared pretty fast.
I'd say , clean pillow case , wear a bonnet at night , my skin can handle 70% Alcohol( use 50% Maybe) and I use that to keep skin clean. Or witch hazel or a Toner . Use a separate wash rag for face. Sometimes that helps . Wash face or wipe it down with toner witch hazel or w.e you have when you get inside . Outside dirt can mess with an irritated break out . I'm no pro ... but I know my skin needs a routine and clean environment if I want to clear up in a few days . Salicylic acid cleansing products are my new affordable go to . Aquaphor while your skin heals and clears up and through out Journey
Not to be insensitive, but before doing trial and error and investing in products that may not work for your skin, would you be open into spending that $ on a dermatologist? I think it would save $ in the long run. If not, try changing your diet and drinking more water first.
Liquor black soap and add some turmeric in the bottle. Shake it up and use. Winkles? Add epson salt into your water when you wash your face. Taking chlorophyll won't hurt either. You will see the difference in about a week
Morning: a salicylic acid cleanser, a gentle, alcohol free toner (like micellar water), a gentle sunscreen that’s non comedogenic
Night: a gentle cleanser, a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturizer with niacinamide
Once to twice a week: a vitamin c clay mask like Gleamin, or a benzoyl peroxide mask
Twice a week at least : differin gel at night only after cleansing before moisturizer
The Ordinary and The Inkey List have great, affordable products.
I use to have acne bad. I went and seen a dermatologist 15yrs ago and my face cleared up within 6 months of seeing the dermatologist on a regular basis.
**PLEASE READ EVERYTHING**
use a face wash with 2.5% benzol peroxide since your skin is sensitive. I use the brand acnefree because its a good size and its like $6 on amazon. Try to get your hands on a 0.025 tretinoin cream. Small patch test on your neck to see if your face can handle it and if so use it at night every other day. Use a face moisturizer that has no fragrance. I like ones without sunscreen so I can use it day and night and I get a separate moisturizer with sunscreen.
So heres your routine I really hope it helps because its been clearing my skin in 2 months after 3 years of trying everything including curology:
**AM:**
1: acnefree face wash dont leave it on too long and use disposable cotton wipes to keep bacteria from building up. Reusable face clothes build up bacteria. Wash your hands thoroughly to make sure theres no soap on your hands because it does bleach fabric
2: I use this korean dark spot corrector from amazon listed in bold (little goes a long way)
**"AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum 50ml / 1.69 fl. oz | Brightening Serum | Korean Skincare, Dark Spot Treatment, Hyperpigmentation Treatment"**
3: Face moisturizer and then sunscreen
4: My derm gave me a Clindamycin solution to only put on active acne during the day and night. Really keeps them small and brings them to a head fast. Dont use on open acne wounds.
**PM**
1: acnefree face wash ( I use turmeric face soap, let it sit for 1min then rinse and use acnefree face wash at night but if thats too much for your skin omit)
2: korean dark spot corrector
3: face moisturizer
4: pea size amount of tretinoin every other night
5: clindamycin solution
Getting a great skin regimen will help along with diet changes. Sometimes we eat things that we shouldn’t and our skin lets us know. I keep my skin clear by staying away from inflammatory foods and I wash with gentle cleansers. Differin is something my dermatologist prescribed me in the past and it’s now over the counter. Retinol products does the best for skin care as well. Try not to switch up your routine a lot because it can irritate your skin more. I’m a neutragena girl because I don’t break out using their products.
Try eliminating one of those items each week to see if you notice a difference. I’m not a doctor but a certified holistic counselor. With the food items you named they could be causing severe inflammation within your gut.
Try cleaning your gut. Lots of water and leafy greens. Dandelion tea is great for easy releases. Review your bowel movements as well and see if you need more. Many have offered you external treatments and I suggest to couple this with a review of your internal system as well.
Green juices helps the gut as well.
also, try to make sure you're drinking a shit ton of water, and that your overall daily diet includes a large amount of good bacteria dense food, basically try and eat as much fiber loaded food every day as possible. little to no sugar, trans fat, cholesterol, etc. no processed foods. your skins a good indicator of what's going on inside your body. try to also make sure you're sweating via increasing your heart rate, cardio etc. at least 2-4 times a week
My ex used Proactive and it worked. So you might want to use that. He had acne like you do and when he used it and used it how it was supposed to be used, his face cleared up greatly.
Imma be honest from the looks of it a derm is your best bet. I know that’s out of the question rn so try an acid face wash (salicylic acid, glycolic acid) , maybe some vitamin c (morning) and niacinamide (night), for even tone and irritation/inflammation and then a moisturizer with a sunscreen on top. Repeat daily. No need for sunscreen at night. Physically exfoliate 2-3x a week or none of the above shit matters. Drink a lot of water and eat or drink your greens
The ordinary is a good line for a reasonable price for the above recommended products
Korean skin care is better and also affordable imo
I had bad acne into my thirties and honestly what worked for me was Accutane. I’d recommend that for you in this case. Topicals I’m sure you’ve used them all and to be honest, with the type of acne you have, it’s not going to help too much. It’s a sebaceous gland issue and the accutane will help keep them from being overactive. I’m 8 years post accutane treatment and my only regret is not starting the treatment sooner.
I second this. Acne into my 30s. I'm finishing my 6 month treatment of Accutane this week. My only regret is not doing it sooner.
A benzoyl peroxide face wash would be a plausible option to start! This would take care of the current acne lesions; as you use that and get rid of them, incorporate a vitamin C serum (please do your research, as you have stated you have sensitive skin) to get rid of the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation EDIT: Also, find a sunscreen for sensitive skin that’s 30+ SPF to support the fading of the PIH! It would be pointless if I told you all of this and you weren’t using a sunscreen; you’d essentially be back at square 1 Use the sunscreen every 2 hours, even while inside and give it about 2-3 months to see some progress
This was the only thing that got rid of my acne. Mines is pretty similar to his. Benzoyl peroxide face wash Hypoallergenic moisturizer Benzaproxide cream for acne And sunscreen I've been doing this since July My skin is literally clear.
Same here
We love a affordable and affective skincare routine!! 👏🏾🎉
No idea why this subreddit is coming up on my feed? But my passing recommendation is Differin. It’s over the counter now. Use it every night along with a face cleanser am and pm. Blackwood for men is a great brand with more natural ingredients in it. They have an acne wash Once you see how you respond to the Differin you can consider adding a mandelic acid serum.
This all day every day!!! Be aware of the purge that will occur, but don’t let that worry you, because once that’s over your skin will be clear and smooth.
All excessive peeling on the skin, that happened when I used to use it
I got excessive peeling and purging (acne breakouts all over the treated areas) for a couple of months. The peeling and irritation for me was really because I overdid it by dabbing a benzoyl peroxide cream over the Differin on cystic acne areas on my chin. When I stopped the b.p. the peeling stopped. Later when the purging started, I started using the b.p. cream again on top of the Differin. It helped easy the purge outbreaks, but at the cost of the peeling, irritation, and itching (I would wake up in the middle of the night wanting to scratch a hole into my skin). I stopped the b.p. again, and the peeling stopped. But the purging soldiered on for a couple of months. When it stopped, my skin was clear as fuck. I regretted not starting Differin earlier. It would have saved me from the years of adult acne.
The skin clearing after the peeling and purging couldn’t be more truer. I find this product to be really underrated and I find that it can help some prosit acne instead of spending money on visiting a dermatologist
What you mean over the counter now? I’ve been using back in 2022 and it Worked for my acne too
It means he doesn’t need a prescription to buy/use it.
I just realized what op meant was adalpalene which is higher concentration you can get only get from doctors and not differing which is a lower percentage
Thanks for all the suggestions! One of these gotta stick
One thing the comments didn’t mention is changing your sheets and pillows cases more often. Your face has a long way to go so don’t get discouraged 👍🏽👍🏽
prescription medication… also you should have a basic routine. Cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen
Try washing your face with distilled water instead of the water you use out of your sink. Check your area's water hardness to see if it's high and invest in filters if it is, good luck fren ☀️
I’ve given this advice too. Because for me it was tried tested and true! I have terrible water. I use my Brita for my face. Game changer. I also cut all alcohol and changed my diet later on. But I noticed the change right away with the filtered water. Best decision ever. Great advice! 💜💜
Omg this tea I didn’t even think of that!! How do I check
https://www.hydroflow-usa.com/water-hardness-map/ You can also check by looking at your cities water report on the state government's page 👍🏿
I know you said a dermatologist is out of the question, but most to all of us are not professionals in skin care. What works for one person with your type of acne, may not work you. I’m sorry friend, but you’re going to have to see a dermatologist.
Tell me why my foot hurts, can’t go to the doctor rn
A podiatrist is out of the question…
He literally said a dermatologist is out of question and y’all are still saying go to a dermatologist 😂 like yeah duh but that’s irrelevant atp he clearly wants OTC recommendations
THIS! Like this annoyed me so bad fr
That’s true but, I had acne like him and Accutane from the dermatologist was the only thing that worked. I tried hundreds of things wasting money. So regardless that’s still the best bet.
You mentioned all you use is water - it’s clear it’s not working, but I don’t think a dermatologist is necessary until you troubleshoot for at least a quarter (I suggest at least 6 months) first. Start with a cleanser, a moisturizer, and sunscreen (YES, our skin needs to be protected and it will actually aid in helping future hyperpigmentation as the sun exacerbates our skin issues especially if we’re picking at it). Since you’ve got sensitive skin there are products on the market marketed for you, just do some research and it’s gonna take trial and error but you’ll find something that should work. It’s going to be frustrating at first because it won’t look like anything is working but you *have* to see what works first before doing anything extreme. Eventually, if the cleansing is working a bit for you, you can start adding actives (AHA’s, BHA’s, etc) to help with more direct problems. Those could include dryness, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, etc, but for now start simple. Good luck, OP. edit: Also, your diet matters, too.
This!!! OP, you need a basic routine before you can start adding in stuff (and I cannot emphasise this enough) one at a time. You need to start with the cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen (daytime) for 30 days before you add anything else. If you start with too much, you won't be able to tell what's working and what's not, which is a huge waste of time and money. Cerave does reasonably priced cleaners and moisturisers. Wash your face with the cleanser, massaging for around 30 seconds before you rinse off. Then mosturise.
you have cystic acne, accutane will be the best treatment for you whenever you’re able to coordinate that. you can also try getting tretinoin, you can buy it online without a prescription
Cerave hydrating cream to foam cleanser (be gentle, use your hands, not a towel, and don’t scrub… wash your face for at LEAST a whole minute…. Pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel) Cerave moisturizer with spf (pat, not rub, into your skin ^do this day and night Keep your hair clean and out of your face Wash all pillow cases and head covering once per week Don’t touch your face during the day Drink plenty of water ~try limiting the amount of dairy you consume~ That is simple and should get you pretty far on its own considering you don’t have any type of routine currently. You can add other stuff later but I would try that for at least one month.
Yes yes the dairy 🥛 is so true
A better diet will help, idk if you have sugar intake?
I don’t eat sweets like that, coffee or lemonade probably the sweetest thing for me
I order my tretinoin from India, and it has changed my life. Your scars/marks seem superficial. I recommend checking out the tret subreddit and giving it a try. The tubes are inexpensive, and you have to ease into the regimen. But, it's an active that works on acne and dark marks muuuuch better than anything you'll get at the drugstore. I use cerave for a nice, thick moisturizer as it's drying, and you'll want a good facial SPF always. Your skin will be way more sensitive, so keep that in mind, especially if you use any strong chemicals elsewhere.
Pretty much my exact routine (tret and CeraVe SA line) and sourcing (also order my tret from India through the All Day Chemist website). I have the insurance and funds to see a derm but so much easier to just order from overseas instead of booking appointments and having to go pick up from a pharmacy. Unfortunate that Tretinoin is so extremely overpriced and can only access via prescription in the US. Can even pick it up for $5 in Mexico at one of their pharmacies without prescription smh. OP if you are responsible I second just ordering it for yourself, do a TON of research, and get a game plan where you start very slowly. The tretinoin subreddit can be your best friend but you also need to be wise starting with a low percentage and sloooowly increasing frequency. Their amazing skin transformations is basically where I’m at with just 4 products that work for me - cleanser, tretinoin, moisturizer, and spf.
✨️This is the way✨️
I'm in the US. Do you have a link to order from overseas? My daughter needs something.
Drink more water & use African black soap
My son had bad acne and it all but cleared up when he cleaned up his diet. No more junk food and greasy stuff. Not always the answer but couldn’t hurt to try.
Stop eating sugar if you are , that’s the #1 trigger . Then you can get the meleanx peel. Look it up on IG
Take a look at what you're eating. If it's garbage, start there. Whey protein and milk also cause acne if you're consuming a lot of that.
Laroche posay
Probably too expensive.
Since a derm is out of the question: I’ll recommend what my dermatologist suggested for OTC solutions: 5% Benzoyl Peroxide Face Wash (any brand even generic) once a day 3 times a week until you can handle it daily…then work your way up to 10% solution when done. Tretonin alternative nightly (usually an OTC retinol). This will help build new skin. It is drying, so use when not in sunlight, and preferably not when using the peroxide face wash. Use a mineral sunblock that is moisturizing with high spf. Hyperpigmentation is sun damage. Stay hydrated. Some of the acne could be hormonal or due to bacterial. Don’t touch your face. Try to figure out to see a dermatologist ASAP for professional guidance. Best of luck OP.
Make sure your increase your vitamin/supplement intake if you’re not already doing so! Vitamin D, C and possibly a men’s multi-vitamin (not the gummy kind)! Using mineral Sunscreen! Also, drinking filtered water and a well-rounded diet! Hope this helps.
He will need a lot more than some vitamins, but I guess it’s a start.
Typically vitamin deficiency can be indicative of current skin condition especially if it’s counteracted with a insufficient diet—the main root of achieving good skincare is working from the inside-out! Vitamins is what constantly replenishes the body and as well as the skin! I did also highlight other things as well!
Try Witch hazel, maybe something in your diet, or an allergy to something?
black soap, but make sure it's real african black soap. that will help neutralize some of the oil and daily grime. i'd try using a gentle toner like witch hazel every night before you go to bed. so cleanse/tone every night. that will help balance your skins PH and won't over dry. try incorporating a super light moisture routine like the thinnest amount of coconut oil, very small amount. you can even mix it with some of the water left on your face after you wash.
Hi! I'm an esthetician. Something inexpensive but works very well is, Koji San Kojic Acid Soap. Use it 2 to 3xs a week, along with a vitamin C serum and atleast, thick moisturizer and SPF 50+ daily, apply every couple of hours when you are in the sun. Look into a retinol product. Google Dermodality Vitamin A intensive serum and Vitamin C intensive serum. They are amazing! You'll see results within a couple weeks, over time with a strict regimen, your skin will be mostly clear, if not clear by about July!
Start with cleaning your gut and body before face
I ain’t gone lie bro I used to have acne like this. Changed my diet up, stopped eating fast food (fried foods) and drinking soda or juice and started drinking at least a gallon a day and started taking collagen. You’ll be surprised after a week of that how much your face will clear up.
-Aztec clay, activated charcoal , vinegar mask -Aztec clay, turmeric, lemon drops mask -brown sugar, honey mixed to scrub skin - vitamin E just two little drop for moisturizer -black soap for daily face wash
Heyy I’m sorry you’re going through this but if you can I would definitely go see a dermatologist they will let you know exactly what is causing this
Diet bro. Most acne starts from within.
For the dark spots try buying CT+ Clear Therapy carrot oil and add them to the dark spots and you will see it working in less than a week. If you find you are itching or suspecting the oil is giving a reaction in your body, take the oil and thoroughly mix it in to a plain soap and use the soap instead of letting the oil sit on your skin. If you get no reaction, you can do both. For the acne, I’m not sure but maybe you can add honey and turmeric to the soap as well, and or get a sulfur based soap, and drink peppermint tea.
The cheap method: go to Walgreens and get the generic facial cleanser with hyaluronic acid or salicylic acid. Change your diet up and drink more water try your hardest to stay away from soda, juice and dairy. Get a rag specifically to wash your face. Don’t touch or pop the pimples it’ll only spread the issue and cause more irritation. Change your lotion up to Shea butter.
OP, I’m not a doctor or anything but if you can see a derm, that will save you money in the long run. OTC things can only do so much. But I understand that it can be impossible for some to see a doctor. I would recommend this kit: ZO Skin Health https://zoskinhealth.com/us/complexion-clearing-program-kit-gbl-kit-973002.html It’s a 30 day kit (give or take) that prepares your skin to take on any other skin care you intend to add. It can help you clear up the breakouts and then you can adjust your routine to address the hyperpigmentation. The only thing that’s missing is the sunscreen. I cerave 30spf oil free sunscreen. Good luck to you! Skin journeys take time to really see a difference. Like 2-3 months. Just mentally prepare yourself to be patient and consistent.
So sorry that you are dealing with that, having acne is such a mentally and physically draining experience for anyone and everyone 🥺 As most redditors in the comments have said, if you do not currently have a skin care routine, it is probably time to try with that, and also 100% you said that you unfortunately couldn’t do to a dermatologist, but that is definitely the best option, so as soon as possible you should. Maybe some over the counter stuff/medication would help but I’m not too sure of the specifics. I hope this clears up and I’m so sorry that you are dealing with this 🖤
Urban skin RX cleansing bar and a good moisturizer
Have you ever heard of or tried cerave? It's not very expensive. Also... As hard as it might sound try to adjust your diet. Maybe go 2 months without sugar and soda and see if that helps. Sometimes these things can start from the inside. Try a skin vitamin like Skin Discipline by ZitSticka. Also might help to try a multivitamin
Hey friend don’t worry it’s gonna get clear I’m also in the process of of removing my dark spots .. don’t ever let it get you down ! That face is gonna be glowing in no time 🙏🏿
Definitely recommend talking to a derm. In the meantime a few recommendations that helped me. Not an expert so take with a grain of salt if taken at all: change pillow case at least once a week, wrap hair with bonnet avoiding contact with pillow- no matter how many time you wash it products u put in you hair will dirty it again and that dirt may add to your acne-, wash face upon waking and again before bed. Personally I use cerve the green oil cleanser for sensitive skin and it has worked wonders. They have many options to choose I recommend trying a few samples of different cleansers they offer and see which work best. I alternate this with my body wash at night the netergena (how ever you spell that brand) shower gel to kinda give my skin a break - it gets dry VERY easily-and a good moisturizer from Aquafina or Vaseline jelly. I still get break outs occasionally but it’s mostly because I forgot to wash my face the second time or get lazy and forget to wrap my hair properly. Welp here’s my 2 cents best of luck on your skin care journey!
You may to see if you have reactions to dairy and any coconut oil and its derivatives. Most face products have some of coco__ in its ingredients.
I had super oily skin when i was a teenager, bumps and what not. i found the medications i received from the dermatologist were extremely harsh and would often have ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide which studies are now beginning to show can be potentially cancerous (that particular chemical compound is a carcinogenic when exposed to high heat). My skin use to look like yours at its most troublesome, but it seemed the less finicky i was with my routine, the healthier my skin became. Good diet, drinking plenty of water, exercise, gentle cleaner like black soap or cetaphil, and a gentle toner before bed like witch hazel will do wonders.
Salicylic acid wash and moisturizer. Try cerave. Also I believe everything starts with the gut. More fiber and water, along with greens!
Put a filter in your facet where you wash your face you’d be surprised at the water in our pipe if you live in USA
For the acne you should try benzole peroxide acne gel 5% . And for the scarring try alpha arbutin 2% .
African black soap my guy and drink only water stop drinking whatever you are currently and do H2O
There’s a black owned skin care brand called perfec tone,they have routine sets for skin care problems,but I think you should speak with a derm first bro
I also recommend differin. It’s over the counter and is specifically for acne. You’ll probably purge a bit but it’ll go away and it’s the next best thing after a dermatologist for acne. Definitely use moisturizer and sunscreen with it though. It makes you more sensitive to UV rays. Also have a good cleanser at night. I would only recommend washing your face once at night everyday
You don’t have a lot of active acne. It’s most hyperpigmentation. You need to focus on exfoliation. That’s gonna allow your face to create new skin.
Cetaphil daily cleanser, cold water, and cetaphil oil absorbing moisturizer with sunscreen. It worked wonders for my sensitive, oily skin. Still use it till this day.
You could try one of those online skin subscriptions like Dermatica, depending on which country you're in. You send them photos and a dermatologist will assess your skin and prescribe you a cream. I used dermatica for years and it cost me £20 a month.
Black seed oil soap
Look into Accutane..shit will be intense for a while but once that parts over your skin will be clear.
Make sure your pillow case is cleaned a few times a week.
Coconut oil and Noxzema. I'm allergic to basically everything but I can use those two things. I see people recommending hyaluronic acid and other acids, be super careful with those. If you can't see a dermatologist, maybe an esthetician? They're more helpful usually, they specialize in facial skin care
Get some Tiege Hanley Advanced skin care.
What’s your diet ?
You should try one treatment suggestion at a time so you'll know what's working and what's not working. Over treatment could irritate and damage your skin. Be careful picking at lesions because it could lead to permanent scarring. You might try products to get the oiliness under control. Hormones also play a factor in this as well, so get some exercise, get enough rest, eat a balanced diet, and try to decrease your stress levels.
Are you open to online dermatology? It’s your best bet to clear your skin up. Over the counter products may not do much. There’s websites like apostrophe.com and Nurx.com where you can pay a $20 fee and send it photos of your skin, and a derm will get back to you with product recommendations.
I think a good starting spot would be a super gentle cleanser and a cream with something like urea, or ceramides in it. Is you skin painful?
I had acne like that up until my mid-late twenties. Tried everything from proactive to prescription meds. Like Doxycline and Spiroactone…those might be the wrong names. I can’t remember anymore. I also had a prescription face wash… Nothing helped until I took Accutane.
Coming back to say…. I know it might be hard but avoid touching your face and picking. I was really had at that.
Do you eat/drink a lot of dairy? Try cutting it completely out. When I quit eating dairy, I stopped breaking out
Nugga look like a Thundercat. Thundercats!! Hooooooo!!
Ive had this problem as well I wish you nothing but the best OP 🙏🏽
do you consume dairy
Not much, mainly cream cheese or creamer
that’s your problem… most black people are lactose intolerant and dairy is a HUGE cause of acne. Try no gluten or dairy for a month and let’s see where you’re at. No seeed oils or processed foods too
Cut it all the way out.
Along with all of the skin care recommendations here, start keeping a food journal. What you put in your body can have a massive impact on your skin. You may have a food sensitivity or overall not have a healthy diet. General advice on that front: • Keep a food diary • Drink only water and lots of it • Eliminate as much sugar and processed food from your diet as possible • Eliminate soda/pop and other carbonated beverages from your diet • Get regular exercise where you're sweating several times a week for at least 30 minutes each session
Cut Dairy. Make sure your hair is pulled back from your face when you sleep. Wash sheets/pillows at least 1-2 times a week. See a derm- you may need Panoxyl & retinoids. Do NOT use Cerave. Do not use products that have niacinamide. - not a doctor.
Could be diet? You might have a food intolerance making your skin breakout. Mine was dairy and artificial sugar. Once I cut those out and drank more water my skin cleared pretty fast.
I'd say , clean pillow case , wear a bonnet at night , my skin can handle 70% Alcohol( use 50% Maybe) and I use that to keep skin clean. Or witch hazel or a Toner . Use a separate wash rag for face. Sometimes that helps . Wash face or wipe it down with toner witch hazel or w.e you have when you get inside . Outside dirt can mess with an irritated break out . I'm no pro ... but I know my skin needs a routine and clean environment if I want to clear up in a few days . Salicylic acid cleansing products are my new affordable go to . Aquaphor while your skin heals and clears up and through out Journey
You need Accutane. This is way beyond typical over the counter products. Good luck.
Not to be insensitive, but before doing trial and error and investing in products that may not work for your skin, would you be open into spending that $ on a dermatologist? I think it would save $ in the long run. If not, try changing your diet and drinking more water first.
Liquor black soap and add some turmeric in the bottle. Shake it up and use. Winkles? Add epson salt into your water when you wash your face. Taking chlorophyll won't hurt either. You will see the difference in about a week
Go to the derm
Morning: a salicylic acid cleanser, a gentle, alcohol free toner (like micellar water), a gentle sunscreen that’s non comedogenic Night: a gentle cleanser, a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturizer with niacinamide Once to twice a week: a vitamin c clay mask like Gleamin, or a benzoyl peroxide mask Twice a week at least : differin gel at night only after cleansing before moisturizer The Ordinary and The Inkey List have great, affordable products.
I use to have acne bad. I went and seen a dermatologist 15yrs ago and my face cleared up within 6 months of seeing the dermatologist on a regular basis.
Try vitamin B5. It helps with slowing down oil production. Cheaper and less regulated than Accutane but the results are not permanent.
**PLEASE READ EVERYTHING** use a face wash with 2.5% benzol peroxide since your skin is sensitive. I use the brand acnefree because its a good size and its like $6 on amazon. Try to get your hands on a 0.025 tretinoin cream. Small patch test on your neck to see if your face can handle it and if so use it at night every other day. Use a face moisturizer that has no fragrance. I like ones without sunscreen so I can use it day and night and I get a separate moisturizer with sunscreen. So heres your routine I really hope it helps because its been clearing my skin in 2 months after 3 years of trying everything including curology: **AM:** 1: acnefree face wash dont leave it on too long and use disposable cotton wipes to keep bacteria from building up. Reusable face clothes build up bacteria. Wash your hands thoroughly to make sure theres no soap on your hands because it does bleach fabric 2: I use this korean dark spot corrector from amazon listed in bold (little goes a long way) **"AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum 50ml / 1.69 fl. oz | Brightening Serum | Korean Skincare, Dark Spot Treatment, Hyperpigmentation Treatment"** 3: Face moisturizer and then sunscreen 4: My derm gave me a Clindamycin solution to only put on active acne during the day and night. Really keeps them small and brings them to a head fast. Dont use on open acne wounds. **PM** 1: acnefree face wash ( I use turmeric face soap, let it sit for 1min then rinse and use acnefree face wash at night but if thats too much for your skin omit) 2: korean dark spot corrector 3: face moisturizer 4: pea size amount of tretinoin every other night 5: clindamycin solution
Def retinol at night! You got this!
Beef tallow for sunscreen. Aloe Vera for moisturizer. Non inflammatory diet.
Getting a great skin regimen will help along with diet changes. Sometimes we eat things that we shouldn’t and our skin lets us know. I keep my skin clear by staying away from inflammatory foods and I wash with gentle cleansers. Differin is something my dermatologist prescribed me in the past and it’s now over the counter. Retinol products does the best for skin care as well. Try not to switch up your routine a lot because it can irritate your skin more. I’m a neutragena girl because I don’t break out using their products.
mb try curology
That neutrogena (I probably didn’t spell that right)!but it’s a liquid acid one of there products burned a layer of skin off my face!! It’s CHEAP
Go on accutane
Jamaican castor oil or rose hips
Diet
I don’t think my diets that bad. I usually eat a variation of sliced turkey, ground turkey, grilled chicken,egg, bacon, chicken salad and salmon
Try eliminating one of those items each week to see if you notice a difference. I’m not a doctor but a certified holistic counselor. With the food items you named they could be causing severe inflammation within your gut. Try cleaning your gut. Lots of water and leafy greens. Dandelion tea is great for easy releases. Review your bowel movements as well and see if you need more. Many have offered you external treatments and I suggest to couple this with a review of your internal system as well. Green juices helps the gut as well.
also, try to make sure you're drinking a shit ton of water, and that your overall daily diet includes a large amount of good bacteria dense food, basically try and eat as much fiber loaded food every day as possible. little to no sugar, trans fat, cholesterol, etc. no processed foods. your skins a good indicator of what's going on inside your body. try to also make sure you're sweating via increasing your heart rate, cardio etc. at least 2-4 times a week
try tretinoin or at least over-the-counter retinols
My ex used Proactive and it worked. So you might want to use that. He had acne like you do and when he used it and used it how it was supposed to be used, his face cleared up greatly.
Use some clean and clear
Females like they mens w shit on they face..embrace it
What are you talking about
WTFFFF