9 year old with Acne

[MissM]

I figured this was the best place to ask - so Mods please feel free to move if need be

My 9 year old (yes she's hit puberty lucky me ) has lots of pimply bumps (none have pus) all over her forehead and a few down the side of her face. Is there anything she can use to clear them up?

Any advice other than drink lots of water, keep clean and eat healthy?

[helle]

I don't think she would be too young to be taught how to cleanse and moisturise?. My mum had terrible skin when she was young and always showed us kids how to take care of our skin properly.
There are lots of gentle and chemical free face washes and things out there. I use a sukin face wash and scrub and the moo goo anti aging moisturiser - maybe she can use the msm cream seeing as she won't need the anti aging part

[MissM]

Thanks Helle - Shes definately old enough to start a facial routine. I will look into the chemical free stuff. Would these be available in a supermarket or in a health food shop?

[helle]

I have notices woolies starting to sell some natural instinct stuff, but I mostly get mine from the health food shops or some chemists

[MissM]

Thanks - after googling the product I have seen them in my local health food shop and I think woolies as well.

Thanks for your advice

[Ladylove]

MissM does her skin look oily too? I'm with the others - I would definitely say cleanse and a light moisturiser but she is so young she needs to keep it gentle. I would avoid a foaming cleanser or one with sulphates (SLS) and opt for a gel or cream cleanser. It does not have to be natural but it does have to be gentle. If the acne persists though a normal cleanser and moisturiser will not be enough as acne needs more targeted treatments, like an antibacterial and/or gentle salicylic acid treatment product or moisturiser with this ingredient.

Alpha H is an Australian mostly natural line that does a special range for acne-prone young skin. It is very gentle.
Dermalogica also as a range for young problem skin.

[MissM]

Her face isnt oily which is a good thing (i think!? LOL)

I will definately keep an eye out for the most sensitive cream/gel cleanser.

Thank you

[helle]

The entire sukin range is sulphate and sls free (sorry... Can you tell in slightly hooked? )

[Ladylove]

I like Sukin too but if it is the onset of proper acne she probably will need a specific treatment - which can still be super gentle on her young skin. Anyway see how she goes with the Sukin. You might want to try a spot treatment too. I know Simplicite Skincare (a Brisbane brand) does an all natural range with specific treatments for problem skin. So you could use the Sukin cleanser and moisturiser and a gentle spot treatment to get into the acne and clean and heal.

[AnyDream]

If you don't get a good result after a few months of consistent use, then think about going to the dr before it escalates and causes scarring.

[helle]

Ladylove this is true... I wasn't thinking that sever.

[nickle730]

I have no idea what's in it, but my niece (13) and many of her friends have had huge success with the ProActive range. Seriously, the results have been astounding. I do know that it is targeted at young skin so maybe it's quite gentle??

[Ladylove]

Proactive is fine for short term use but it's super harsh over longer term. I did hear they had reformulated but not sure if this is true or if so whether it's any gentler.

[helle]

My mum used to use it. It bleeched all her towels and pillows and anything else that came into contact with her face and/or any of the products.

[PumpkinZulu]

Proactive is harsh as all get out. I would not person put it net my child's face. It gave me a huge rash and dry spots.

[MissM]

I bought a tube of 'say yes to' (cucumber) fingers crossed this ties us over to the teenage years!

I used pro active when nothing over the counter worked. It cleared my skin incredibly and left no scarring (I had bad acne for around3 years after my daughter was born) but I wouldnt put it any where near my daughters face. Shes a bit too young yet.