Acne help :(

mikenberger · January 2015

My face is literally looking like it did when I was in middle school. Total breakout city. I have been on the pill to control my acne and other stuff, now I no longer need to take that (Yay shitty reproductive organs that do nothing but take up space!)... I'm off all hormones and my skin is FREAKING THE FUCK OUT. I currently use Clinique acne treatment (3 steps + a spot gel) but it's no match against this crater pod on my chin. It's only my chin that breaks out, the rest of my skin is fine. My skin is SUPER sensitive, I can't use anything with alcohol or perfumes.

What do you knotties use for your skin care if you have a similar issue? I've tried ProActiv, (made my skin dry and flake and break out worse), Noxzema (Yes, I'm a 50 year old woman.) and Clean and Clear. So far, nothing works. Clinique was the best one so far. I could get my skin cleared and keep it clear if I was on birth control, but now, I definitely need to step up my game.

Help

I'm so self conscious about it. Sucks. Isn't this shit supposed to go away when you're over 30?

lurkergirl · January 2015

If you were to go back on the pill would it still help your skin? It sounds like the root of the issue for you might be more hormonal than skin related.

mikenberger · January 2015

lurkergirl said:

If you were to go back on the pill would it still help your skin? It sounds like the root of the issue for you might be more hormonal than skin related.

Yeah, I'm trying really hard to be hormone free now that I'm off them. My mom is a breast cancer survivor, Grandma (Her mother) is an ovarian cancer survivor. I know a lot of research supports the type of hormones in the pill not being an issue in those cancers, but it still concerns me a bit.

ShesSoCold · January 2015

I have really bad acne and I see a dermatologist. The monthly prescriptions work and are actually less money for me than the array of cleansers, creams and bullshit I'd have to use otherwise.

Philosophy makes an acne wash that I really like. Not too drying or harsh. I have not tried their other acne products, but I really like Philosophy in general.

Edited to finish my thought. I was focused on coffee.

lurkergirl · January 2015

mikenberger said:

lurkergirl said:

If you were to go back on the pill would it still help your skin? It sounds like the root of the issue for you might be more hormonal than skin related.

Yeah, I'm trying really hard to be hormone free now that I'm off them. My mom is a breast cancer survivor, Grandma (Her mother) is an ovarian cancer survivor. I know a lot of research supports the type of hormones in the pill not being an issue in those cancers, but it still concerns me a bit.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

Gotcha. I am kind of the same about that. I don't have good advice on products, but I find keeping my hair off my face and always having a clean pillowcase really helps my skin.

maeday2 · January 2015

I was so about to make this same post. My face has been driving me CRAZY and I know it's hormonal.

I have just started using witch hazel as a toner and I have definitely noticed some improvement. However, when it's period time it still breaks out. (I don't know that I'd recommend that for you since you have sensitive skin)

Sorry, I know it sucks.

[Deleted User] · January 2015

I've had good success with Murad products (got one of their starter kits on Sephora for like $30) and also Philosophy's stuff I find to be pretty gentle but effective!

littlemushroom · January 2015

I always had horrible acne growing up and nothing worked. I did all the over the counter stuff, all the prescription stuff (including Accutane), Proactiv, some line from Ulta that I would tecognize the name when I see it, etc. Literally the only products I have found that work for me are the Mary Kay Velocity cleanser and moisturizer, but Google has informed me that line has been discontinued. That makes me sad because I always picked some up when I break out every few years.

I would try the Mary Kay line they have now for acne. It seems to have good reviews on Amazon and other sites. I have always had good luck with their products working like they are supposed to.

climbingsingle · January 2015

Phisoderm makes a really great face and body wash. I also use African Black Soap. And I only use 100 Percent Pure products on my face. I was breaking out all the time, and now using a combination of these 3 things, I rarely break out anymore.

dolewhipper · January 2015

What kind of pill were you on? You said it helped your skin a lot, I'm going to guess a progestin based.

They make progestin based face washes and creams. You can use it to get a smaller amount of hormones, and then slowly start weaning yourself off it. Your face won't freak out as much. My holistic dermatologist told me about it for when I brought up how I eventually want to get off Yasmin.

I also strongly suggest getting medical facials, where the aesthetician spends a majority of his/her time doing extractions. I had horrible skin and with the facials and using her natural skin care, well let's say I'm not wearing makeup today

<THIS> is the kind of place you want to find

emmaaa · January 2015

I have had acne my whole life and like you had tried everything from department store treatments to Proactiv to going to the Dermatologist. The only thing that has worked and keeps working (going on about 1 year now) is Dove soap. I wash my face morning and night with Dove soap (the pink kind but they have a sensitive skin kind, bar soap) and use my Clairisonic usually just at night. It cleanses your skin without leaving it dry or irritated. As far a moisturizer, the only thing that has ever worked is Clinique Dramatically Different GEL. The gel is not heavy and won't clog your pores. At night I usually use Vitamin E oil.

I also use Neutragena Acne Gel whenever I feel like I'm breaking out but only every other day.

mikenberger · January 2015

dolewhipper said:

What kind of pill were you on? You said it helped your skin a lot, I'm going to guess a progestin based.

They make progestin based face washes and creams. You can use it to get a smaller amount of hormones, and then slowly start weaning yourself off it. Your face won't freak out as much. My holistic dermatologist told me about it for when I brought up how I eventually want to get off Yasmin.

I also strongly suggest getting medical facials, where the aesthetician spends a majority of his/her time doing extractions. I had horrible skin and with the facials and using her natural skin care, well let's say I'm not wearing makeup today <THIS> is the kind of place you want to find

Yeah, I was on quasense (Generic of Seasonale) which is progestin. Interesting. I'll have to check it out (your suggestions) thanks!

cosenti7 · January 2015

I had great success with the Dermalogica Medi-Bac line of products but I also supplement with a cream (Aczone) from my dermatologist. It helped get my hormonal cystic acne around my chin and jawline under control.

novella1186 · January 2015

I went through puberty the sequel when I turned 25. It was bizarre. My boobs grew 2 sizes bigger (although I hadn't gained any weight) and I started to break out REALLY bad, but just on my chin. I hated it.

I ended up seeing a dermatologist and got a prescription to help keep it under control, and then I switched to an all natural face wash that had no acne-fighting ingredients at all in it, because the combo of the medicine and acne face wash was making my skin so dry that I'd actually break out worse.

Last year I quit using the medicine. But I also cut almost all refined sugar out of my diet and that made a huge difference. I don't break out anymore; I just get one or two tiny zits every so often. I found a moisturizer that doesn't make me break out so I'm careful to keep my skin moisturized and when I do start to get a few bumps I mix some teatree oil in with the moisturizer and it does the trick. I also invested in a better face wash (from Sephora, the brand is called Bliss) that doesn't have any acne-fighting junk in it.

I'd also recommend trying to moisturize with coconut oil (seems counterproductive to put oil on your face but it absorbs quickly, isn't greasy, and has anti-inflammatory and acne-fighting properties). It honestly seemed to me like the more chemicals and acne-products I used, the worse my skin got. The more I leave my face alone and just keep it moisturized and use natural stuff, the better it is.

[Deleted User] · January 2015

levioosa · January 2015

I'm in the process of battling some pretty bad cystic acne. I went off of the pill for a few months and my face just exploded. I also ran out of my topical acne medication and need to go to the dermatologist again. It's been pretty hard on my self-esteem. And I don't understand why I had perfect skin in high school, but not now. WTF, skin? Hugs to you, because I know it sucks.

Cutting junk food and sugar out will help. If you go to the gym regularly, I would rinse your face off with water right away (no soap since it will strip all of the oils off of your face) after you are done working out. I also used jojoba oil instead of moisturizer for awhile and it seemed to help. A bottle is like nine dollars and can last a really long time since all you need is a tiny amount. If nothing else, you should go to the dermatologist just to help you get it in control in the meantime.

plainjane0415 · January 2015

I too have really bad hormonal acne, and I go to the dermatologist every 3 months for it. I'm on 3 medications for it, including birth control, and that seems to keep my acne at bay. The problem is, when I start to taper off of the meds, it comes back. I don't want to be on these forever, and my doctor says that we will figure something out to help me taper and just use topical stuff, but I don't think my skin is ready for that yet.

As far as topical creams, moisturizers, stuff like that, I use cetaphil face wash and moisturizer, and that's it. I used to have this super complex skincare routine thinking that all of these acne washes would work and the acne gel would help, but when I went to the dermatologist she said that using a lot of acne specific products can make acne worse sometimes. So I cut back on everything, and that seemed to help calm everything down. I use clinique's rinse off scrub once a week to exfoliate, and I MAY use a glam glow mask to extract stuff from my skin if it's feeling congested, but for about the past 8 months I've been keeping my skin routine super simple, and taking my oral meds as my doctor prescibed.

mikenberger · January 2015

I guess I should get around to a dermatologist if I'm going to try for clean/clear skin by my wedding in a few months. Blech.

plainjane0415 · January 2015

mikenberger said:

I guess I should get around to a dermatologist if I'm going to try for clean/clear skin by my wedding in a few months. Blech.

I would recommend it.

I think it's one of the best ways to really get to the root of the problem. I hope it goes well... I know it's very frustrating.

novella1186 · January 2015

mikenberger said:

I guess I should get around to a dermatologist if I'm going to try for clean/clear skin by my wedding in a few months. Blech.

Yeah I think you should. It made all the difference for me until my skin was under control enough that I could quit the meds and just figure out my own success products/routine.

And there's other treatments they can do in their office that you can't buy. There are lasers that treat acne, blue light therapy, mild peels, etc. It's stuff one of my past dermatologists had mentioned to me in case other things didn't work but I never ended up having to do those things. The doctor can help you figure out what will work for you.

mrsdee15 · January 2015

I had terrible acne growing up, and tried three medications as a teenager. Accutane was sort of a miracle pill for me, but it also wreaks havoc on your everything while you take it, and I don't even know if it is still available because of the severe side effects it could potentially cause. Now I use Dermalogica Medi-Bac and Murad's spray treater (sorry, can't remember the name). Since starting on Dermalogica, I've had very few breakouts, so I highly recommend it.

sarahufl · January 2015

littlemushroom said:

I always had horrible acne growing up and nothing worked. I did all the over the counter stuff, all the prescription stuff (including Accutane), Proactiv, some line from Ulta that I would tecognize the name when I see it, etc. Literally the only products I have found that work for me are the Mary Kay Velocity cleanser and moisturizer, but Google has informed me that line has been discontinued. That makes me sad because I always picked some up when I break out every few years. I would try the Mary Kay line they have now for acne. It seems to have good reviews on Amazon and other sites. I have always had good luck with their products working like they are supposed to.

I had GREAT skin until I used Mary Kay. It wrecked my face and has never been the same since...

PrettyGirlLost · January 2015

Have you gone to a dermatologist yet?

I ask because for all of my teen life up until my early 20's I thought I had acne and I would try every OTC product known to man. . . and I actually had rosacea. Those tiny little bumps that had some funck in them were not actually pimples after all.

Now I'm sure you know you have acne- I'm not saying you need to go to a dermatologist for a diagnosis. But the dermatologist will likely have medications and product recommendations that will clear everything up.

mikenberger · January 2015

PrettyGirlLost said:

Have you gone to a dermatologist yet?

I ask because for all of my teen life up until my early 20's I thought I had acne and I would try every OTC product known to man. . . and I actually had rosacea. Those tiny little bumps that had some funck in them were not actually pimples after all.

Now I'm sure you know you have acne- I'm not saying you need to go to a dermatologist for a diagnosis. But the dermatologist will likely have medications and product recommendations that will clear everything up.

Yeah, I went to a dermatologist like.... 13 years ago? When I was 18. (Shit. When did 18 become 13 years ago?) and it was acne. I do have rosacea on my cheeks, which I was given a cream that smelled AWFUL but worked like a dream. I plan on making an appt some time soon.

PrettyGirlLost · January 2015

mikenberger said:

PrettyGirlLost said:

Have you gone to a dermatologist yet?

I ask because for all of my teen life up until my early 20's I thought I had acne and I would try every OTC product known to man. . . and I actually had rosacea. Those tiny little bumps that had some funck in them were not actually pimples after all.

Now I'm sure you know you have acne- I'm not saying you need to go to a dermatologist for a diagnosis. But the dermatologist will likely have medications and product recommendations that will clear everything up.

Yeah, I went to a dermatologist like.... 13 years ago? When I was 18. (Shit. When did 18 become 13 years ago?) and it was acne. I do have rosacea on my cheeks, which I was given a cream that smelled AWFUL but worked like a dream. I plan on making an appt some time soon.

Did the cream smell like sulfur? If so, it was likely selenium sulfide/sulphate which is the same active ingredient in dandruff shampoos :-)

I periodically use selenium sulfide, metrogel, and permethrin cream to manage my symptoms. Once they have more data on Mirvaso- and my insurance covers it- I might try that as well.

Yeah, if your acne is flaring up all of a sudden might be time to go back ><

redheadbride15 · January 2015

Adult acne is really, really common. You are not alone. I never had much acne as a teenager, but starting in my late 20s it got really bad. If it's bothering you and your skin is sensitive to a lot of over-the-counter stuff then it's definitely work a visit to the doctor. Most regular primary care doctors are comfortable managing acne - no need for a dermatologist (it's a 6 month wait to get into some derm offices!). Topical antibiotics have been really helpful for me (I use a clindamycin-benzoyl peroxide combination). My skin does not tolerate Retin-A, but that's also a really helpful option for many people.

mrsk616 · January 2015

i have been using perfectly posh. i love the stuff no additives (no gunk that cloggs pores) and most of it is gentle (it will tell you if its a detox) whatever you do if you skin is not oily stay as far way as possible from the stripper mask that mask burns like no other.

i also use st ives once in a while i need to find a none greasy moisturizer. my face is all sorts of dry right now.

Wegl13 · January 2015

So I had the same issues forever. Tried every damn thing under the sun. My grandmother even bought me face washes, trying to be nice (it REALLY hurt my feelings- kind of like if my FI had bought me teeth whitener. Hahah meta joke). Anyways, all of the expensive, multi-part crap didn't work. Going to the dermatologist and getting on antibiotics and their face stuff basically didn't work and almost wrecked my GI system. I don't normally knock doctors, but I think this one just sucked. She wasn't very good at follow up.

Anyways, I found that products that contained benzoyl peroxide as the active ingredient, as opposed to salicylic acid, worked much better at controlling my acne, without causing as much irritation to spots outside of my T-zone. I have been using Neutrogena's "Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask" which you can get at grocery stores basically anywhere for about $7 a bottle. When I was younger I used it twice a day but now I can get by on once a day (although my acne has gotten a little harder to control since I changed BC). I've probably used it for about 10 years at this point with good results.

Unfortunately I think what you are going to find is what you have already found: that each person has unique body chemistry and that what works for each of us will likely not work for you.

Acne help :(

Re: Acne help :(

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