By Amy Lawrenson
I don't know about you but it's happening more and more to me, spots that is. No longer are pimples reserved to your hormonal teenage years. Hectic lifestyles and chronic low-levels of stress are wreaking havoc with our complexions meaning our teenage skin is gate-crashing our twenties and thirties.
I have suffered with blemished skin since my teens but a few years ago it reached its peak, in my mid twenties. After seeking help from dermatologist and ELLE Beauty Awards 2012 judge cosmetic dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting and being prescribed retinol and peroxide creams my skin cleared up. But you can't rely on these products forever.
A little nervous at the thought of shelving these wonder creams, I weaned myself off by bringing two new products into my daily regime.That's the key to clearing problem skin: keep it simple.
Vichy Normaderm Tri-Active Cleansing 3-in-1 Cleanser, Scrub and Mask, £11 (boots.com). This multi-tasking product works as a twice-daily cleanser, containing granules you can buff away at skin for a gentle exfoliation, then once per week you can leave it on skin as a mask. It has a clay-like texture but isn't drying. I had a flare up just before I trialled this product and it worked efficiently at calming and clearing my skin.
My other go-to product is La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Masque, £15 (escentual.com). Acne-prone or sensitive skin (I suffer from both) tends to be dehydrated especially if you have been using astringent products to clear up those breakouts. I use this mask as a night cream, applying a thin layer to skin before sleeping. It's not too heavy but it really quenches thirsty skin, ideal for this time of year.
Which products do you rely on to fight your spots? Tweet us @ellebeautyteam
