Is it worth going to the doctors for bad skin?

Yes.

Also if you don't mind me asking what skincare have you tried?

I work on beauty and have a bit of knowledge about this so can advise

Well i've tried pretty much every brand you can think of that you can buy in superdrug/boots etc

I've been prescribed with some tablets before from the doctors and that didn't work.

What actual routine have you tried?

And what's your skin type?

Because I have a feeling you've been using products with alcohol in which make it worse, or tea tree and witch hazel. While marketed as good for acne what they do is strip the skin of oil, so the skin overcompensates and makes more which exacerbates the problem

Are you female, OP?


I've also tried every brand you can think of. The ingredients in over the counter products often aren't strong enough or effective enough to make any real difference. My advice is to stop wasting your money. I dread to think what I've spent over the years.

I have a cleanser, toner and moisturizer.

I don't use products with alcohol in them and i have normal skin type

Yeah i'm female!

I'm not buying any other over the counter stuff cause I'm just wasting my money for no change at all.

Yes go! I've been numerous times in my life. I've been prescribed creams and antibiotics which worked well, it's worth a shot. Nothing to lose really. Sometimes acne needs to be treated from the inside, most over the counter products (freederm I'm looking at you) do absolutely nothing and are just a waste of money.

Okay first what I recommend is you double cleanse. Cleanse your skin with baby oil (it will NOT block your pores, that's a myth) to remove the dirt.

Then wash your face with a foaming or cream cleanser.

After that you want to tone with something really gentle.

Then you want a serum. You want to be careful here, you want one for your skin type. I use one for dry skin, if your main problem is acne I'd go for anti redness. Be wary of "anti acne" products - they usually have astringents in them

Then an eye cream, this is your choice

Then a moisturiser, again anti redness

You also want to chemically exfoliate every other day with nip fab glycolic pads.

If you do this as well as see a GP, I expect your skin will improve a lot

Hmm that seems a LOT of products to be using on already greasy skin. A lot of the time real acne isn't anything to do with how clean or exfoliated your skin is, it's hormonal and can only really be treated through medication. When I had full blown acne I found the best policy was to just leave it alone completely, wash with water only and don't wear makeup. Cleansing and ridding the face of all it's oils only makes it go into overdrive and produce loads more. This coupled with over compensating through moisturiser and serums just adds to the problem. Obviously this would be effective for someone who got the odd spot but proper acne is a whole different thing.