Zits!!!!

[moomina]

Can anyone help? Over the last few months my skin has been slowly going to pot but recently it's just got, well...ugly. My chin and the area around my nose are just full of angry red spots and it seems to get worse everyday. I know I don't drink enough water etc etc but I've always had good skin so this is really unusual.

Could it be hormonal? (Stopped bf-ing just recently) Or due to stress - there's a lot of that about in my life at the moment and it always seems that they flare up badly when I'm upset? There's a little patch that looks like it might even be excema (sp?).

Any suggestions? Acne and grey hair is so not a good look...

I shall watch this thread with interest, I have to been 'not' blessed with ever occuring spots each month, I started getting them back in January, I'm OK at the moment, but they seem to come mid cycle and last to the very end, I maybe spot free for about a week.

I have tried all sorts of things including this new spot cream that is supposed to zap them, all it does is encourage them to come out.

Sorry no helpful advise, I think it could be hormonal/stress related but I definately suffer with both at the moment.

Moomina,

I've been suffering with them for about a year. Over the period of each month there would be a definite cycle with new ones appearing each time. These overlapped with the previous ones healing so I was actually never zit free. They were really big and painful and it all really got me down. My SIL recommended Evening Primrose Oil capsules which made only a little difference.

It was only 3 weeks ago that my dh said he thought I was depressed because of them and maybe I should go to my GP, which I did.

My GP said I have adult acne, prescribed a low dose antibiotic, and within 3 or 4 days I could see an improvement. I have no more new ones and the old ones have all cleared up, I'm just left with a few scars, and as I have very fair skin these will proabably take a while to go.

My GP said it is hormonal, and once the AB's are finished, if they come back, there are different pills and mini-pills now which can help prevent them (apparently progesterone makes them worse).

So, in a nutshell, please don't suffer as i have for a year, go and see your GP and I hope you get some help.

Good luck xx

poor you moomina-try a soothing mask clarins do a good one and dermatalogica do an excellent one (but its a bit expensive as all their stuff is)and they also do an antibacterial mask also(but i havent tried this one)
dermatalogica also do a product called skin clearing booster which is amazing for clearing break outs -but it sounds like yours may have a cause and may not be just a random breakout-maybe you good see a homeopath for a natural remedy or try to get a allergy test done -peanuts give me huge red spots
if it is hormones something that balances them could help zest magazine says 'the herb agnus castus is renowned for its hormone balancing properties'-maybe this is availiable homeopathically-
good luck in finding something that helps
ps! dermatalogica products online from lookfantastic.com

Thanks everyone. They are really starting to get me down even though I'm sure it probably looks worse to me than anyone else. Am thinking of going to the doctor anyway because of other stress-related stuff (stomach pains, chest pains, headaches, I've got 'em all!) so will ask if he thinks I need antibiotics or something.

My acne is hormone realted - I was prescribed Dianette (combined contraceptive pill) and it cleared me up in a few weeks.

Before that, I also took Perfectil - those really extortionate skin vitamin capsules and they were fab. If it's not something you normally suffer from then maybe boost yourself up with some vitamin supplements in the short term ,but also look at your diet/sleeping patterns for the long term.

All the best. In the meantime, Neutrogena do oil free make-up with salycic acid (sp?) which is good for a less than clear complexion.

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moomina - i suddenly got bad skin after stopping breastfeeding 3 years ago. they were like hard cysts around my cheeks, jaw and neck. my dr said she saw this situation a lot.i read lots and it could be related to the lymphatic system as the breasts are part of it. things that worked for me:
1:sher system - i only bought the video not all the expensive products and the key is to rinse/splash your face with warm water 20 times twice a day (?? yes sounds weird)
2.comfortand joy have a product called 'oh no oh yes' that you apply to the spots, brilliant - it really works. also washed my face with green people baby wash. really mild, no chemicals organic products.
3. i used my ds's moisturiser called 'weleda calendula baby oil' contains organic chamomile, calendula and seseme oil, nothing else. you can get it in heath food shops or online. took about 6 -8 months to completely clear. i did some lymphatic massage/drainage movements while i moisturised taken from the instructions with the eve lom cleanser, very expensive but felt it also helped and detoxed the skin.
4.estee lauder maximum cover lightweight makeup might help in the meantime, it was made for post op face lift originally to cover the initial scarring. hope it helps - good luck know how you feel xx

I used to have the most immorally silky skin (ok, I know I'm boasting, but I did feel it was my best feature) before babies. I certainly didn't bloom during my first pregnancy, instead my skin became horrid and lumpy and often spotty. Since then I've had 4 years of ukky skin, which, to make things worse, is sensitive to just about every cosmetic I try - even aqueous cream had me out in a rash recently! Then a couple of weeks ago I had an allergic reaction and took Clarityn for about 10 days. Lo and behold, my skin is back to normal! Soft, smooth, wonderful . I really can't believe it. And not just on my face, but all over. I've been so delighted that I wanted to post this on Mumsnet, but it just seemed too crazy. Anyway, I've no idea whether it can help you, but I wonder...?

I had the same problem between my dd's, Moomina, and it was incredibly depressing esp as I never had teenage spots. I went to the dr, expecting to be told off for wasting her time, but instead she was absolutely lovely and sympathetic. She gave me 3mths a/b treatment and it's never recurred.

LOL at prettycandles - that's the thing - my skin is usually so fab too! Glad this thread could be the vehicle for your crazy boasting

Loads of ideas - I knew I could count on you lot! Thanks!