HELP - ACNE!!!

Hi ladies, ive had bad acne ever since i can rememebr and i have tried everything so finally thought i would resort to this!
Ive been to dermatologists who put me on Accutane which did clear up my skin amazinngly - only to decide to come back about 6 months later at full force! I then started taking the contraceptive pill and after a while it was cleared up completely as well. this was all and well untill a year and a half later (end of last year) for some reason my skin started going down hill again! the pill used to work for me but somehow the effect has just worn off. The beginning of this year i switched to the Depo Injection and have definitely noticed my skin worsen a little bit more since going off the pill, but it was definitely still bad before.
Help! What have you ladies all tried :)
Thanks!!!

Hi there!
I managed to get myself a spot on the Epiology Anti acne foam pre wash and advanced cream trial last year. I've suffered from severe acne since my teen years. This cleanser has done wonders for my skin! I don't break out as often the only time I do is before I'm due for my period and it is only ever 1 or 2 spots instead of full face breakout.
I have cut down on my usage of this product. I started doing it morning and night. I introduced other cleansers into my routine and now just use it at night. I use another foam cleanser in the morning. Every 2-3 days I also use an exfoliant scrub.
I have sensitive skin and found this product doesn't burn, sting or dry my skin out.
It works well for me but might not for others :)
I hope you find some thing that helps you!
Acne is the worst :(

Thankyou for that!! I have come across their brand on instagram before and definitey would be keen to try them out :) x

I don't know if this will work for you but a friend of mine used cleansers, exfoliation and charcoal masks to control acne.

How long did you take Accutane for? For me, that was the only thing that really worked. I had acne from the age of 11 until my 40s. 

Hey Ive had acne really badly this year. Tried tea tree didn't work for me. I have been using charcoal cleansing bar and its help keep it at bay. 

I had shocking skin as a teen; the pill helped heaps. I actually believed my skin was still acne-ridden until about 5 years after it cleared; I saw what I was used to seeing, rather than the improvements

I was the same Trudi. There were times when my skin wasn't that bad but I still saw a face full of zits. I think acne creates a kind of dismorphia in many sufferers. 

What's your skincare routine like? The type of products you use and how often, etc?
When it comes to acne it's very personal and some things may work for others that didn't work for you and vice versa. People can suggest medications and popular skincare ranges aimed at acne but they may not work for you, so I highly suggest getting a good base routine down for your skin.
Acne is caused by excess sebum and bacteria on the skin, a lot of the times acne targeted skincare can actually worsen the issue because instead of treating it, it's just trying to strip all of your natural oils. I recommend using a pH balanced cleanser (5.5 and below), chemical exfoliants (both BHA and AHA will be good for you), a spot treatment of some sort, a hydrating night cream or oil (non-comedogenic cream or jojoba oil) and a light SPF lotion for the day.
Once you have a basic routine down and your skin is healthy, you can add in specific treatments to target the acne further - serums, masks, oils, extra lotions/creams.
It's important to not overwhelm your skin but still give it what it needs.
Some things to avoid while having active acne - harsh, drying ingredients/products, physical exfoliation, soap and going out in the sun without SPF on. All of these things can worsen the acne, cause it to become inflammed, infected, for it to spread and leave behind scarring.
I hope you find something that works for you! x

I have been suffering from acnes recently awww it has never been this bad :( I might give Epiology a go, thanks Amy for your suggestion.

As an acne sufferer for years myself, I know what you are going through.  I've been to dermatologists, Caci clinic, skin specialists, you name it, I've pretty much done it.

I find that using natural products like Lush have helped tremendously.  I also only ever use mineral makeup, as I can't use anything with added perfumes, talcs etc.

It also comes down to diet too.  When I cut out processed foods like pasta, rice, bread, and even dairy it really seemed to make a difference.  Drinking lots of water has also helped me in the past and I also drink a lot of Green Tea - Matcha to be precise.  

Oh and I cut out sugar and only have natural sweeteners in my beverages.

Hope that helps hun xxx

Wow thank you so much for the replies everyone!! @worldofsooziewong i was on it for about 8 months, was such a bummer for it to all come back after spending so much time on the medication!
Thanks for the advice @idomakeupnz!! I definitly learnt that acne targeted products werent the best way to go through trial and error! I use really gentle products like a lush scrub every few days which is really soft and not too abrasive, that Cetefil face wash which is non foaming and super gentle on the skin, then a really nice clinique moisturiser that doesnt have any oils and is designed for oily skin as i have tremendously oily skin! I also have cut dairy out and have been drinking a lot of water so i honestly think acne is just in my genes as so many people on my famiy have had it which is so frustrating as i try to do everything right! I feel as if it will be with me for a long time.. x
 

Antonia, it might be worth considering another course of Accutane. I took it for about 10 months but at a low dose as the higher dose didn't agree with me. The side effects weren't too bad on the low dose. My dermo said that some people have to take more than one dose. My understanding is that your body needs to reach its maximum dose of Accutane before your acne is gone forever. I get the occasional spot now but they are coming more frequently. I worry that I might need to do another course but I would totally do it again. 

I agree with idomakeup's advice. Gentle care is best for acne. Cetaphil is a great gentle cleanser. 

Oh and as you already use Lush, you might like the tea tree toner water. 

Hey! Just came across this post now but I have such an interest in acne skincare owing to that I had acne from age 10 and only fairly recently has it subsided although I still get breakouts (I'm 28 now). I did one course of accutane previously and like you that helped but I hated the side effects. Acne really is a personal things so what works for one doesn't work for others. For me I have found that... the contraceptive pill helps me as mine is very hormonally driven, I avoid dairy as too much tends to break me out (lactose maybe?), and my doctor recommended Differin gel which you get by prescription and is a retinoid, so a topical alternative to accutane. Skincare-wise I use Clinique Anti-Blemish cleanser and moisturiser, but then a gentle toner like Sukin as I find the Anti-Blemish toner too harsh. Weirdly also the trial and error over what makeup breaks me out too (can't use Estee Lauder or Revlon foundation). Hope you've found something that's been working for you so far.