my poor face! Acne attack. What should I ask GP for?

[Orangesarenot]

I came off Yasmin to TTC, but thanks to PCOS my cystic acne is back with a vengeance. I've seen various people talk about azelaic acid (Skinoren?), Duac, Zineryt, Dalacin T and 2.5% Benzyl Peroxide (which didn't work when I was a teenager). Has anyone used these when TTC/pregnant? Any more recommendations to ask my GP about? DH is being very lovely, but the only way I'm going to bed at the moment is with a paper bag over my head.

[mintbiscuit]

Don't think some of the acne treatments will be safe if ttc. You should be ok with benzoyl peroxide though. Use the 5% stuff. You can use a thin layer on areas where you get the acne to help prevent more breakouts. Use under daily moisturiser.

Get a bha solution (paulas choice do a 2% one that is good). This will help to exfoliate and clear pores out. Use at night.

Double cleanse in evening with gentle cleansers.

Drink spearmint or peppermint tea - at least 3 cups a day. It interferes with androgens that cause over production of sebum that cause cystic acne. Google it!

[Orangesarenot]

Thanks very much, especially for the mint tea tip!

[ZaraW]

Differin works wonders on my acne prone skin.

[mintbiscuit]

Orange differin is good stuff but not prescribed during preganacy so worth remembering if you are ttc.

[maybemyrtle]

I thought salicylic acid (bha) was verboten during preg? The advice may have changed on that. AHAs though are fine and may help. You could also try washing with hibiscrub to destroy any bacteria.

[lurkingabit]

Salicylic acid is not recommended in pregnancy in general, however there is advice out there that a 2% solution is ok in pregnancy, the stronger salicylic acid peels are verboten. For myself, I'd give even the toner a miss in pregnancy.
Differin and all the vitamin A deriviatives are not recommended in pregnancy

AHAs like glycolic, lactic acids are ok. Whether they'll help your acne much is another question. Your best best is GP. They will prescribe properly.

[PhoenixReisling]

Poor you, this happened to me when I stopped taking the pill due to TTC.

I think Zineryt Can be used whilst you are pregnant (and whilst you are TTC)...check with your GP though.

[Laquila]

If you want to try another approach, you could try cleansing with La Roche Posay Toleriane cleanser and the Ultra moisturiser from the same range - I found both were really helpful when my skin suddenly went bananas about 8 months after I gave birth. Whether it was technically acne I don't know, and of course not all skin problems respond to the same treatment, but if you're looking for something gentle to try then it might be worth it.

[SparklyTinselTits]

I have suffered with acne since I was 12 my face was a minefield while I was pregnant...I got cysts in places on my face thatI have never got them before!
As other people have said, a lot of treatments aren't safe in pregnancy. I turned to neat lemon juice, and a silver-enriched serum. I took the serum to my derm who said there weren't any indridients in it that he would consider dangerous. Have a Google - works wonders for a lot of people!!

[Orangesarenot]

you're all wonderful. I'm already using La Roche Posay and a 0.5% salicylic acid toner (I'm hoping 0.5% is ok..might stop it if I ever get a BFP). I think I might ask GP for Zineryt, and if that fails the silver serum looks worth a shot. Thank you!

[Orangesarenot]

I thought I'd update in case this helps someone else googling in future. I found some UK-based evidence linking Zineryt to a slight increase in birth defects, so I decided not to go for that (even though GP was happy to prescribe). Instead we agreed on Finecea, which is 15% azelaic acid. It is one of the mildest acne topicals, safe if TTC or PG, and it is often given to rosecea sufferers so is helpful with redness and hyperpigmentation as well as acne. 5 days later, my skin is looking so much better. The angry cysts stopped growing and are now going down; others that threatened to come through never did. It helps with skin oilyness and it sits well under make up.
Thanks to everyone again for your advice!