To think it MUST be genetics?!

[Forthemerrynotthefew]

I’m in my 30s and I’m still as spotty as I was when I was a teenager. In every other way I am fit and healthy, but the spots are really getting me down. I drink a ton of water, eat all the right things and seem to have tried every lotion and potion out there. Everyone else I know has such good skin and can step out in just tinted moisturiser, whereas I have to wear foundation to cover the massive spots on my cheeks, chin and forehead. FWIW, I generally only tend to wear makeup once a week (if that). The rest of the time I’m at work where I don’t generally need to wear makeup.
My mum was quite spotty throughout her life so I’m wondering if it’s actually a genetic thing? It’s really getting me down now and I don’t know what to do. If it IS genetic then surely there will be no lotion or potion that can help? AIBU to just resign myself to being spotty forever. What does everyone else do to get clear skin?

Dairy is definitely a trigger for acne but not for everyone. You could try cutting it out and see what difference it makes but please do get a referral to a dermatologist as soon as possible, there are wonderful treatments available for acne nowadays.

Good luck.

Soolantra

After about 2 years and many different medications and lotions. All spots gone in two weeks and lovely skin 3 years later.

Have you spoken to your GP? It could be food, stress related or the type of contraceptive your using...it could be multiple reasons but I would speak to your Gp...it may be that you have start with excluding things but maybe they can start with a blood test to ensure nothing is going on behind the scenes.

Visit your GP before paying for a dermatologist/making any drastic changes like cutting things out of your diet. There are so many options available- I tried topical creams for a few months which improved my acne but didn’t properly get rid of it, then I was prescribed a 3 month course of antibiotics which cleared it up completely and I’ve now been spot free for 3 years. Failing that, roaccutane is incredibly effective.

Please ignore comments from people mentioning skincare products/washing powder- if you’ve struggled with this for your whole adult life it’s highly unlikely it’s down to one variable like that. Nothing quite riles me like people perpetuating the idea that acne which has lasted for years can be blamed on habits/poor hygiene- it’s a medical condition! And just like any other medical condition its worthy of proper medical treatment.

Yasmin contraceptive pill is also prescribed for acne issues.Ive been on it 6 years and have never had a spot since.

Dairy is a hormonal fluid so yes, hormones! Cutting it out will not harm your bones or anything like that. Studies show those who consumer dairy are at greater risk of osteoporosis in fact. Don't believe the myths the dairy industry wants you to believe.

Have you been checked for PCOS?

Definitely hereditary for me. My mum had hormonal acne until she got through the menopause. I still have it at 50, although controlled with lymecycline.

Definitely, go to a dermatologies, and get your blood work/hormones checked out! Going on the pill could really help you. IT's important to experiment and take the right kind, as some BC pills can make some acne worse.

Definitely check for PCOS. Particularly is you gain weight around your tummy and have irregular periods.

I still have spots in my late 30s. It has improved great with pregnancy and when breastfeeding though

Inositol is the only thing that’s ever worked for me, and I’ve had flawless skin for the last few years because of it. It helps your body process insulin, and I’m insulin resistant because of PCOS. Someone once said to me that acne is often diabetes of the skin, and that rings true for me.

But yes, dairy is another trigger for susceptible individuals, and that’s been documented in the BMJ. B12 and Biotin are others.

Deffo hormones . Nothing sorted mine out until taking the pill. Getting pregnant cleared it up completely. Not looking forward to having shit skin again soon

Go and see a dermatologist and get some roaccutane. Get it sorted once and for all.

This might give you a guide for your thinking.

www.fedup.com.au/factsheets/symptom-factsheets/acne-and-rosacea

Great advice here. Go to Gp straight away. These things are taken much more seriously nowadays

Acne in adult women is frequently linked to PCOS what are your periods like?

I have had to cut milk out as it makes my skin so bad. I replaced it with rice milk instead. Made such a difference. I seem to be okay with cheese, or milk that has been 'cooked' (ie in custard) though which is interesting. I've read that there's a lot of hormones and even pus in milk, so that can cause inflammation. I'd recommend stopping milk for a couple of weeks, then drinking a glass of it and seeing if you have a breakout a day or so later. I'd put money on it that it's that!

@stopgap could you recommend your brand of Inositol please? I’m looking into it but there are so many.

DIM is another supplement that apparently helps many with hormonal acne but I haven’t tried it.

Spironolactone has helped my hormonal acne get around 90% better but needs a prescription.

If you're familiar with reddit, there's a very good skincare sub. Think the recommendation would be to use salicylic acid and probably clean with oil (the latter being an absolute game changer for my skin care).

Try no dairy for a month.

@minipie, I’m in the US, so the brands might be different, but find a 40/1 blend—that’s 40 parts myo inositol to one part d Chiro inositol. If you can get it, I’m taking Biotics Research B8 (inositol used to be classified as a B vitamin).

What are the side effects like for Spironalactone? I’ve steered clear because my blood pressure is on the low end.

Go and see a dermatologist and get some roaccutane. Get it sorted once and for all.

Although Roaccutane is arguably one of the most effective treatments for acne, and works wonders for many - it can’t get rid of hormonal acne “once and for all”

Women with pcos are most likely to have their acne return after taking Roaccutane. Dr Anjali Mahto, a dermatologist with pcos and acne, has had over 7 courses of Roaccutane

@minipie I think DIM works well if you’re estrogen dominant.

I'm similar OP - the bad news is I'm 50 and still acne-prone. (In better news, is I'm not very wrinkly as I'm so oily...) But I have been able to mostly banish it with Duac prescribed by the GP. It's a cream you put on at night and it really works for me. If I run out, or forget it when I go away, the zits come back.

I've tried cutting out food groups and it didn't do much for me. I think there can be many factors - diet in some cases, stress, cleanliness (I can't sleep in make-up for example - instant breakout) but also genetics. I have read that genes can affect the shape of your hair follicles and make them more likely to trap bacteria. Also genetics affects how much sebum / oil your skin produces.

It is depressing and can really get you down, I know. But in my experience GPs do take it seriously now and there are things to try. When I first tried Duac and it worked I was SO happy. Definitely go and see what they can offer you.

I’m going very basic here because you don’t mention it: how do you cleanse your face?
I was suffering really badly from hormonal acne and I just constantly looked like shit. Then a make up artist friend said “why are you an adult washing your face with Dove soap and that’s it?” I still really don’t get all the cleanse tone etc stuff but I started using a Halo pad to get make up off, then Oskia gel to wash my face, then moisturiser. Every other day using Pixi tonic. And genuinely my skin is so much better. I’m now religious about washing my face every evening and morning and just wasn’t before.