Hey,
Does anyone have any recommendations on products or treatments that can help me achieve clear skin? My main concern is the scars and pigmentation left behind.
What have you found to be the most effective?
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I suffer from adult acne myself. I found these products helpful:
https://eu.smnovella.com/products/7011555 (to be used 1-3 times weekly)
https://www.laroche-posay.fr/gammes/visage/effaclar/effaclar-masque-sebo-regulateur/LRP_055.html
Always seek medical advice.
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Some of my fave products include:
Paula’s Choice AHA toner
47 Skin serum
Though I think seeing a dermatologist / expert is probably the best route to go down! Can recommend hydrafacials and also the carbon facial at Skin Laundry - not cheap but results-driven
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SPF most important!!! Make sure you treat the active acne first before you address the scarring/post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. La Roche-Posay Effaclar range is always a great bet - their serum is amazing for the red marks or look for something with Azelaic acid in- but also agree with seeing a derm if you can! Gentle cleanse to avoid aggravating further.
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If you have the budget, now or further down the line, a dermatologist specialising in acne would be able to help with the scarring.
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I don’t have active acne now but have found these products from Slurp Laboratories good for scarring. My aesthetician recommends micro needling for acne scarring. https://slurplaboratories.com/
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I really feel you! I would say there are a lot of products out there, but sometimes it pays to get bespoke advice…
Have you ever tried or heard of Klira: https://klira.skin/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjY64BhCaARIsAIfc7YbRFoolrGnmYvfP2mMZrwWaQhqmAXKx36awHYJEJdQlUYEcLs6R4Q0aAvQiEALw_wcB
The results I have had - and others - have been amazing! Same goes for Skin+Me x
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If you can, always useful to see a dermatologist - can totally appreciate that may not be an option. Getting an expert opinion is preferable as the kind of scarring you have will likely determine best treatment options. May be worth looking into Klira or Skin + Me as you can get prescription-grade formulas alongside expert advice.
Retinol can help, but I think just manage your expectations with topical products, as often the best results can be achieved by laser / IPL / microneedling. X
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Getting your skincare routine right is definitely the first step, and it’s really important to talk to someone who knows what they’re doing. I had mild acne and was prescribed a skincare routine about a year ago, and it’s been life-changing for me. Now that my acne is under control, I’ve started microneedling and chemical peels to help with the scarring. Microneedling boosts collagen production, and the peels exfoliate and renew the skin. I’m not saying this will be right for everyone, but speaking to a professional is key to finding what works best for your skin!
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Hi Emily,
I had a very similar issue in my late teens and have to really strip back my skincare routine.
I find now after a double cleanse, the Paula’s Choice BHA tonic is incredible at clearing scarring - Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant | Paula's Choice
I feel I have tried everything and this is the only product I have seen noticeable change.
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I too would recommend Paula’s Choice AHA Toner but in small amounts starting off using it once a week and gradually increasing to four/five x
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I feel this call for help so much! First I would say, give yourself grace. I swear by Fenty Skin, get the full set - cleanser, toner and hydra vizor. It will even out your skin tone while reducing dark spots. Give it about 10 days (do it morning and night) and you’ll already start seeing improvement!
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I know how this feels! I went through roaccutane treatment which removed the acne but I was left with scarring.
To treat the scarring effectively, I’d recommend you see a dermatologist. Treatments like fraxel laser are really effective but take a lot of downtime, I’ve done two rounds. Main thing is to make sure you don’t have any active acne when starting to treat the scars. I also recommend for mild scarring looking at Microneedling but again expect a little downtime after treatment.
For shorter term options look at getting a prescription from your doctor for differin (adapelene depending on location). This is a retinol which is specifically used for treatment of acne but with retinol it can also help reduce the colour of the scar. Just make sure you’re using a good sunscreen like all retinol.
If you still have active acne causing scarring please see your doctor and get referred to dermatology - consider treatment with roaccutane as it’s highly effective at bringing acne under control.
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Hi,
I’m sorry, these things can be really tricky and hard to deal with. I had the same.
I’m still battling with it somewhat, but one thing i’d say has massively helped is using an AHA cleanser. It really seems to have lightened my scars, without making my skin to dry.
Best of luck with it all,
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I went through the same journey as you, and I found that it was really important to clear up my active acne before I could treat the scars.
For the scarring, I found using prescription tretinoin via Skin&Me did wonders in regenerating my skin, and have recently started using the Caudalie vinoperfect serum which has been amazing for evening out my skin tone x
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Thank you everyone!
If anyone has recommendations of dermatologists around East/Central London I’d love to hear your experiences too.
Looking for a product with Augustine Bader is something you could try. VB face primer is good for this. I suffer with persistent acne scars so I understand 
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Hi Emily,
So sorry you’re going through this, it can be really tough.
The only thing I find that REALLY works is keeping your routine super simple.
Double cleansing is key, Azelaic Acid CHANGED my life and a non comedogenic moisturiser.
Differin gel is also a fab product that keeps acne from forming and can help well with scarring.
This Azelaic Acid is gold:
I’d also recommend this website below to check your skincare products you are currently using and the ingredients before purchasing:
Good luck! xx
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I love Paula’s Choice. They have this helpful page for acne-prone skin. I love the 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. You wake up with your skin looking so refreshed!
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