Terrible skin after breastfeeding

[Hellolittlesunshinexxx]

I firstly want to apologise for abusing AIBU in this way. I didn't know whether to post on chat, feeding or beauty. Thought I'd get the most responses here.

I'm stopped feeding DS about 2 months ago and fed him for around 14 months. From 10 months it was just one or two feeds a day.

My skin hasn't been great since I had him. However since I've given up breastfeeding I would describe my skin as being blotchy, having angry red spots as well as those "under the skin" spots, acne as well as dry and oily (worse than ever). Before I got pregnant I had the occasion spot but overall my skin was great. I rarely had to use foundation, just a bronzer. Right now, if I go out or am working I have to use a foundation heavier than I would normally wear. I don't use make up when I'm just at home but it's gotten to a point where it's really bothering me. I saw my doctor around 2.5 months ago and was prescribed duac. It initially (first week or two) made a difference but since then my skin seems worse than ever. I know I need to go back and intend to next week.

I've tried different products (not loads because I try to stick at them for a while). I used to be a fan of oil cleansing but it doesn't do anything for me at the moment. I currently use simple oil cleanser (it's really light as opposed to normal oil cleansing), a simple scrub twice a week and the anti ageing moisturisers. I used to use more expensive products but since my skin is so all over the place I don't want to invest in something that may aggravate it. I have recently started using a homemade face mask with coconut oil and baking powder just once a week which helps for about 24 hours and my skin feels and looks better but goes right back to being bad again.

Have others experienced this? I keep thinking, I fed for 14 months so it could take my hormones this long to regulate but if anyone has any tips of remedies to help me in the slightest I will love you forever!

No advice but I had awful awful skin after I cut out night feeds at 7 months - massive under skin red angry spots. Doctor said it's just hormones and I think it probably is as periods are all over the place. I think it does take hormones a while to settle back to normal (like hair falling out - mine was 6 months after the birth). Fingers crossed it improves!

It was a while since my hair fell out too. I started to wonder if it was a myth until I lost so much I looked like a was receding! Thanks for your reply. I'm still waiting for a period too. (Sorry if TMI)

Definitely sounds hormonal.

I'd be tempted to try the Pill to reset (though they can be hit or miss depending on formulation), or if you don't want to use hormones, a simple BHA lotion (try Paula's Choice) might be your best bet.

Definitely hormonal acne. I would look into supplements and either DIM, Inositol or Saw Palmetto. Don’t bother with topicals, as they do very little for hormonal acne.

Definitely sounds like your hormones need to settle a bit. A couple of things that might help are collagen pills/chewies. I am skeptical of supplements in general but after about 3 months of taking a daily collagen chewy gum I realised one day that my skin was looking better, it didn't happen overnight obviously and it sort of crept up on me but I'm happy and will continue taking them.

The other thing that jumped out at me was that you used a face scrub twice a week to exfoliate, it may be totally fine for you but I stopped using scrubs years ago. I now use a glycolic pad 2-3 times a week and that has really helped my dehydrated skin. I recommend these Avon pads:

www.avon.uk.com/product/302-334-5423/skincare/problem-solvers/anew-clinical-even-texture-tone-advanced-resurfacing-peel

I found vitamin and omega 3 supplements helped me.

Also eating lots of foods like hummus and particularly flaxseed to help balance out your hormones might help (estrogen). Hummus is great for your skin in many ways, high in zinc, reduces inflammation etc...

I think it is probably hormonal, but I suggest you look at your diet as well. Sugars are a huge instigator for acne, so I would cut them out from your diet for at least 30 days and see how it goes.

Most likely hormonal. I agree with the supplements and also add maca, whole food, water, cut down on dairy, red wine and funnily enough spicy chilli food. It helped with mine.
Please stop the physical exfoliation, it only aggravates the skin making things worst. This is not 1992! I agree going down the chemical (AHA/glycolic) route but without having your skin or major blackheads, even those could be aggravating but only you know. Right now, balancing the skin is more important that anti-aging so be kind to yourself. Look at the ingredients of the anti-aging creams, some are full of silicones and are not helpful. I’d advice on serums, lighter and more concentration.
And above all cleanse well, especially if you wear makeup, primers sunscreens.
You don’t need super expensive stuff, try garden of wisdom at Victoriahealth or even The Ordinary (those the owner is cuckoo and the way he treats customers is).
But it will probably pass once your hormones balance.

Thank you all so much! Lots to take on board and look into! Really appreciate it. I think I missed the memo about exfoliating! I've been seeing a lot of things about the glycolic acid so will deffo pursue that. Would you suggest I invest in a cleanser, the glycolic acid stuff and new moisturisers? What about a toner? I haven't used a toner for ages.
Also looking at collagen and supplements.

I had this. It was terrible, I didn't want to leave the house. I saw a number of different GP's who prescribed various creams and lotions. Eventually I saw a dermatologist who told me that the only thing that would work was oral antibiotics and that I would need to be on them for several months. She was right. Within a few weeks of taking Lymecycline I could see a difference. Within three months my skin was pretty much clear (although I was left with some scarring) but I carried on taking them for another three months to maintain the improvement. Five years on and I haven't had another outbreak, the scarring has faded and is very easy to conceal with subtle makeup.

Well I'll certainly to going back to the gp and start there. I'm so glad I posted this. So many things to consider.

RE: Exfoliators, you should probably do a bit of research into whether an AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid - glycolic acid is an example of this) or a BHA ( Beta hydroxy acid - salicylic acid for example). These are beneficial for different skin issues but AHA and BHA products are pretty widely available now and not necessarily expensive. Basically AHAs are considered better for dry/dehydrated skin types and BHAs better for oily/combination skin btu you should research to find the best option for your skin.

Rainbunny thank you for that. I wouldn't have known! I've clearly been living under a rock when it comes to skin care these past few years

It's just your hormones rebalancing OP. It's taken 13m for mine to go back to normal after stopping bfing.

If you are still breastfeeding then salicylic acid and related ingredients is not recommended.