ACNE In an 8 Year Old

I only had one kiddo (out of 6) that really had any acne. He was fairly young, too. The one thing we did that helped the most (other than simply having him wash his face with a mild soap morning and night) was increase his water intake. Seriously, it made a HUGE difference. For whatever reason, his skin is really sensitive to his water intake. After 10 days of increased water (12 oz 4 times a day), his acne was nearly gone. I can also tell when he doesn't drink enough - his face breaks out almost immediately.

Just a small thing that kids should be doing anyways and it might make a big difference :) Plus, it doesn't really cost anything!

Good luck!

It happens. It happened to ME. I hit puberty a bit earlier than others I knew and the first thing that happened was acne. Not terrible and cystic acne but those bumps you are describing. It is hormonal and unfortunately, it will get worse. I wish my mother had brought me to a dermatologist but she didn't. I had nothing to treat it with and no education about why this was happening until I was 18 and sick of it. It was then that I ventured out on my own and got myself to a derm. Sure enough, I was put on medications to regulate my hormones from fluctuating so much and also placed on a prescription cream with benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin in it. Over a few months, the acne got better and eventually cleared up. I have two girls and one has flawless, just pure porcelain skin and the other one started up with the bumps like I did at age 13. I took my bumpy child to the dermatologist and the treatment of choice was a sulfur face wash and Retin-A. We both still suffer from hormonal breakouts and probably always will but the good news is that this actually keeps our skin from looking like an old bag. No wrinkles and I look 10 years younger than I am due to more of an oily/combination skin. Take your daughter in to the dermatologist and get some of this under control now as it will become a bit worse as she continues to go through the throws of puberty. Kids are cruel and awful at this age and have no tolerance for anything or anyone that is not perfect. Help her out now and prepare to keep regular visits along the teenage years. She will be so happy that you did!!

Take your daughter to a dermatologist. Unfortunately, the younger kids are when they start with acne the more severe it tends to be and untreated acne can lead to life long scarring. FYI...there is no reason for anyone to suffer with acne. There are medications that will clear it up and leave your child with beautiful skin, it just often takes time to find the right medication.
(My oldest started treatment at 8yo (she is 17 and has beautiful, flawless skin) and my youngest is 12 and just started new medication that is truly a miracle drug.) Best of luck!!

I believe in going to the dermatologist early on as a proactive measure with teens. I took my daughter when she was about 9-10.

Fortunately we have had no issues except an occasional small breakout which is bad enough!!

My dermatologist that I saw as a teen (no skin issues... proactive measure) and the dermatologist my daughter saw BOTH recommend Purpose Soap and Cetaphil. Both also recommended Clinique products. When my daughter has any sort of flareup, she goes back to the Clinique Acne facial cleanser. When everything is normal, she uses Clinique, Purpose or Cetaphil, whichever she has on hand for the moment.

I stress regular facial routines in the morning and night. We both drink a LOT of water as well. Your daughter is too young but never, ever go to bed with makeup on. Wear sunscreen daily. Coppertone makes a good facial sunscreen that is non oily and good.

I don't think I would use products such as Proactive on an 8yr old. That product is very strong and if her skin is sensitive, it could make it worse. We use witch hazel as an astringent when needed and an OTC Clearasil spot gel you can use on the zits only.

Make sure she starts now with a daily facial cleansing routine morning and night. She may hate it now but when she is 50 she will thank you.

To wash: Clean and Clear foaming cleanser for sensitive skin (not the orange one, the one right next to it). It's unscented, contains no acids or peroxides, and rinses clean.

After wash: A very light non-comedelogic moisturizer such as Cetaphil for face or CeraVe. Nothing medicated.

This is mostly hormonal, but adding chemicals will cause irritation and more acne. Avoid them.

Also encourage her to stay hydrated, eat healthily, and sleep well. A healthy lifestyle will result in physical health.

Acne comes with the hormones. A dermatologist told me once thzt it didn't really much matter what an adolescent cleaned his/her face with, acne was going to be there until puberty was over.
The active ingredient in Proactiv is salicylic acid, which acts on the keratin in the skin and causes the skin to shed. That's why side effects include redness and flaking.

No fried foods

Cut way back on sugar in foods and drinks

More water

We use an organic, unscented light cleanser rec by the skin advisor at the health food store

We avoid GMO foods---all altered and no good for health--Organic foods do not contain GMO's

Google bumpy skin and read about it.

Cleaning the skin and super good moisturizers are needed. The keratin doesn't get out of the pores as more is formed underneath. Then the top forms a clog then it makes a raised bump.

It can become sores from people picking at it or it just getting so stretched out. We use good acne soap and coconut oil.

I second the recommendation of Purpose cleanser. Very gentle.
I'd be more concerned about checking with her pediatrician about early puberty. 8 seems awfully young to me for hormonal flare ups.
I'm not trying to alarm you or anything, but I'd mention it.
Good luck!

Besides a dermatologist, I would try a naturopath (maybe just you go and talk to him/her) and/or a dietician. Good luck.