Pimples that won’t go away

[kelseydh]

I am needing help. I have had these pimples for months and they will not go away. They won’t come up to a head or anything. I have tried acne medications and nothing is working. Any advice on how to get them to go away? They raised so you can see them when I wear makeup which is frustrating.

[kdsomerset]

differn gel! its 4 anti aging 2. dermatologist recommended!

[kdsomerset]

use it at night (differn gel) followed by a moistorizer or hyl. acid or ceramide moistorizer (cerave) and be sure 2 use spf if u do get a retinoid product like differn gel

[WinglessOne]

@kelseydh  When you say you’ve tried “acne medications,” do you mean prescription medications (either oral or topical) from a doctor? Or have you only tried OTC topical treatments? 

Your acne looks and sounds like cystic acne to me, and most non-prescription things that work for other kinds of acne aren’t super effective for this type. If you haven’t consulted a doctor yet, I highly recommend seeing a dermatologist if you can. There are prescription meds and treatments that can zap or greatly reduce the cysts. 

[kelseydh]

So I was using a prescription retinoid last year and loved it! But since my husband and I are trying to conceive I stopped using it and since then I have been breaking out like crazy. So I had used Benzoyl peroxide and differin. I was trying out the PHat glow mask and they seemed to worsen. know once I get pregnant I am very limited to acne products which will be very tough for me as well.

[WinglessOne]

@kelseydh  Ah. I know retinoid/retinol isn’t pregnancy-safe, but I’m not sure about other prescription meds for cystic acne. Since you’re trying to conceive, I definitely recommend seeing a derm for personalized pro suggestions. 🙂 

I sometimes get cystic acne along my jawline. Certain OTC things absolutely make it worse. Earlier this year I tried an azelaic acid serum to lift some old acne scars and help with a few small bumps. It wound up causing more cysts to form, resulting in more acne scars. 🤬 Azelaic acid does wonders for some folks, but my skin hates that stuff. Anyway, I don’t know offhand what ingredients are in the Phat Glow mask, but I do know how aggravating it is when something makes acne worse. I hope you find something else that works for you. 

[DEH20]

I had a problem with breakouts for awhile. Clinique has always been my life saver. I love the clinique rinse off foaming mouse. It keeps my skin very clear and feels really clean after I use it. They also have CLINIQUE - Acne Solutions™ Clinical Clearing Gel which is a really good spot treatment! The moisturizers typically do not clog my pores either, some that I've use before have caused me to break out even more. I like the CLINIQUE - Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator or CLINIQUE Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+™ for Barrier Repair 4.2 oz Pump/ 125 mL