What is wrong with my skin and how do I fix it? I am incredibly insecure going out without makeup.

[strugglingskin]

I recently came across an article about a boy who had dry-acne on his face due to harsh acne treatments. The issue I am having is somewhat similar to the way his skin looked in the photo, but the frustration is that I don't use acne treatments, nor have I really ever in the past (aside from the occasional spot treatment). I am seventeen, and my skin has always been my biggest insecurity. It sucks to feel the need to put foundation on to be suitable for leaving the house. I was told several years ago that I have eczema that is triggered by things I am allergic to. I did the testing and we found the preservatives and chemicals that had been causing the outbreak, and I have been more than diligent since then in making sure I avoid them at all cost. I am also allergic/sensitive to vitamin C (a delayed reaction), and the eczema flares up and is at it's worst when I come in contact with vitamin C or consume anything containing it. The eczema has been under control, without any flare ups, for about 14 months now.

The thing I have been struggling with the most since that, is my dry-acne. Mostly occurring on my forehead and chin, I most consistently get acne that is on the surface of the skin and once or twice a month will get blind pimples (usually on my chin). My issue is that I cannot use acne treatments due to the eczema, and even when the area seems remotely flat and free of any puss-filled pimples, there are always intense red spots that are surrounded by flakey, dry skin. My forehead is also home to lots of tiny bumps that make it impossible to look even half-decent in any place that has overhead or natural lighting, which is pretty much everywhere. I have been to the dermatologist several times and she just tells me I have to "wait it out". It has been a year of me 'waiting it out' and although it hasn't necessarily gotten worse, it certainly hasn't improved. My t-zone can get oily but it feels tight and dry while it looks oily on the surface, I have a comedone extractor, one end has an angled loop and the other has a flat loop, which I disinfect and use almost every morning as I wake up pretty much every morning with at least two new white-head or bumps.

I currently use an oil free, perfume free, non-comedogenic, and hypo-allergenic 'multi-defence lotion' as a moisturizer. I use a micellar water that is also oil free, alcohol free, fragrance free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, soap free, and paraben-free. Once a week I will use a baking soda cleanser that is hypoallergenic and has a pH balanced formula. I wash my face daily with an "Ultra gentle cleansing gel" that says it is 100% tested on sensitive skin and is recognized by the Canadian Dermatology Association. It is paraben free, oil free, soap free, non-comedogenic, perfume free, and hypoallergenic.

Additional information; I live in Canada (currently winter where the temperature today is -18 degrees celsius), I don't specifically put sunscreen on my face but almost all of my makeup products and moisturizers have SPF, I am adopted so I don't know my biological parent's dermatological history. Any advice would be amazing. Thank you for the time.

The photo was taken 10 minutes ago. All I have done today is use the micellar water on a cotton pad when I woke up, and moisturized.

[lillyofthevalley37]

The first thing I would suggest is to buy some evening primrose oil capsules 1000mg and take 2 a day the epo dilutes sebum which is usually the cause of acne

Give it a couple of weeks and see the result

Go easy on butter

[strugglingskin in reply to lillyofthevalley37]

This may sound dumb, but I was told to avoid as much oil as possible because my skin is prone to oil bumps. Is there a chance it will make those worse?? Thanks

[lillyofthevalley37 in reply to strugglingskin]

Absolutely not you take 2 orally every day give it a couple of weeks honestly it's the only thing I have ever known to clear acne

[Saassii]

I have extremely sensitive skin. I don't use anything much on it now. I wash with warm water, use a tiny bit of Josie Maran cleansing oil to remove eye make up only. Moisturize with Josie Maran whipped butter. Pure argan oil on neck. If you strip you skin of oils it attempts to produce more to protect itself. Oil is extremely protective. Think animal skins etc, how they retain moisture while oily and repel the unwanted. No fragrances or products to the body at all. Argan oil if necessary for dryness. Shampoo and conditioner, fragrance free, the purest thing I can find, it's from a health store, no chemicals. Pure jojoba oil only in hair if needed, does nicely on ends.

Look at your diet again. The skin is the largest detox organ, try an elimination diet to see if you can isolate more offenders.

Extremely carefully now look at your environment. If there is mold, bacteria and virus around by way of microbial contamination it'll land first on your skin and affect you from inside also, requiring detox to get out, more skin troubles.

Don't touch your face ever throughout the day, fingers have too much bacteria.

Drop all make up except tiny eye make up, no powders etc. Make up is full of nasty crap. More detox required.

Vitamin C is a strange one. We take it in all day everyday if we're eating a diet with fruits, vegetables. Perhaps it's ascorbic acid, or the fillers in the tablets? I react to excipients in pharma, fillers supplements etc. Be careful you address the right thing, vitamin C is vital.

[Ell17]

I am not a doctor. I just have years of experience dealing with multiple skin issues. So, the following advice comes from the trenches

My skin is my weakest link, too. This is what my forehead can look like during a bad flare (and around mouth or on chin).

First off, I would be looking for a new dermatologist. The "wait and see" approach is unacceptable. And that you have not been offered any type of treatment (if that is truly the case) to try and see if it can bring any improvement or relief, is cruel and negligent in my opinion, regardless of the diagnosis.

I find it odd that your dermatologist has not diagnosed it as perioral dermatitis (which in spite of its name, can also occur on chin, forehead (which is where mine is the worst), around eyes, or on cheeks). You need to show the dermatologist this picture. Maybe it wasn't presenting exactly like this at your last appointment?? (The appearance of the comedones and your description of the cycle progression/symptoms is spot on.)

There is a reason you can't use most acne preparations. Perioral Dermatitis isn't acne. Many acne meds will only aggravate it. But, there are a few that can really help, which I will list at the end. I have dealt with this and facial eczema for over twenty years. So, I have had a lot of time to experiment

Also, previous use of strong corticosteroids on the face or harsh facial treatments are not a prerequisite for developing this condition. Though, for many this seems to be a causative factor. As with most skin issues, your diet and food sensitivities definitely play a role, and environmental sensitivities, as well; especially with this particular condition.

Unfortunately, it is stubborn and chronic. So, the earlier you can identify and avoid triggers, the better the long term outlook.

Many things can aggravate it, like too much sugar in diet, citrus (in food and in topical products), SPF containing creams, certain warming spices, skin products with alcohol or fragrance, lanolin, and many of the chemicals you regularly find in skincare (even the hypoallergenic ones):/ Sensitivity to mold and fungus (candida)/ parasites can also aggravate it. (Mushrooms and yeast containing foods are a problem for me.) Triggers are individual, and will be unique to the person, but there are many overlaps.

I agree that Vitamin C is critical for healing and soft tissue repair. If you can find ways to get some in your diet; then do it. (I react to commercially produced ascorbic acid and citric acid, both internally and topically, but I can eat fresh fruit and greens without a problem.) See if you can tolerate kiwi. It has a good amount of Vitamin C.

Keep using skincare and makeup that is as natural as possible at best, or at least that you do not react to.

Note: I never leave the house without foundation on either. My skin has periods where it is much improved, but never to the point that I would be comfortable being seen without foundation on in public. When your face (which identifies you to the world) is affected, makeup provides what nothing else can. It helps camouflage what makes you the most insecure, and it allows YOU to be seen, and not so much the affliction.😊

Removing gluten (Celiac), dairy and eating low sugar (there is a fungal/candida connection, at least for me) made a big difference. My skin doesn't flare as often and the underlying inflammation is much reduced. You want to find your triggers to prevent the cycle from being activated. And, I won't lie; it is a challenge, even when you are being diligent.

I try to use natural alternatives as often as I can (Saassii and lillyofthevalley mentioned some good ones.) But, sometimes mother nature needs a helping hand. So here are the prescription meds that have helped me over the years, and that I try to keep on hand (for flare ups):

*Antibiotics: Metrogel/ topical; Clindamycin gel/ topical; Z Pack (Azithromycin)/ tablets; Doxicycline/ capsules...(Make sure you take a plant based probiotic after you finish a course of oral antibiotics.)

*Topicals: Adapalene gel (Differen) -- An acne treatment that unlike tretinoin (Retin A), does not aggravate dermatitis/ eczema. (Try mixing it with your moisturizer before applying it. Oftentimes, I have found that dilute amounts of meds over time can work much better than applying full strength.)

1% OTC Hydrocortisone cream (per my dermatologist; 1% is mild; the stronger corticosteroids are contraindicated) in VERY DILUTE amounts (again mix small amount with moisturizer) can help get the inflammation under control more quickly. (Letting the inflammation continue unabated is more damaging.) Use briefly as needed.

Liver health affects skin. I use Milk Thistle herb capsules to help mine out. You could also try a liver cleanse at the beginning of each season. I also take an anti-fungal/parasitic herb formula with Wormwood, Black Walnut Hull, Garlic, Pau D'Arco, Clove, Caprylic Acid, Turmeric and Ginger that makes a difference when having a flare.

I know this is a lot to digest. But, it gets easier as you go. Having this information and making changes while you are young can make all the difference.

Even if you aren't diagnosed with PD, all of the above meds are used for a variety of skin conditions, including acne. So, there shouldn't be a problem getting them prescribed. You certainly don't have anything to lose by asking.

[In the states, Differen (Adapalene) is OTC now, maybe it is in Canada, too. You might see an improvement by trying that and the OTC 1% Hydrocortisone cream mixed in small amounts with your moisturizer, aloe vera gel, or with hyaluronic acid serum.] I really hope something I have shared helps you out.

Best wishes for a clearer skinned future.😊

[lillyofthevalley37]

Another issue you should look into is estrogen dominence

[Hidden]

Hi ladies, My daughter has been going through some very rough terrain also with her hormonal acne. It caused her depression, a break with her five year relationship because of her depression and not wanting to go out anywhere. We found this cream in a tube that I got in Mexico for her to try. It really help her by being very religious as to how to take care of her face, which is the washing, scrubbing etc. At night she will put this cream on the affected areas of her face and it either takes them away or just lowers the inflammation.

She has a youtube channel where she just put up on Saturday. She has a give away of these creams if anyone would like to see the channel and comment. Here it is: (Mzfivetwoooh).

She is doing much better and I hope she can help some of you young ladies.