spots on chin

[nixpix]

I get persistent spots (whiteheads, red angry lumps)on my chin, mainly just before ovulation and then before period. It is a greasy area too for me. I have great skin everywhere else so how do I get rid of this problem area? When I was on the pill in my 20s and early 30s and pregnant, I didn't suffer from it - so I definitely think it's hormonal. I've used antibiotic creams from the doctor, which only seem to work for a while. I cleanse twice a day and moisterise. Anyone else suffer from this and managed to 'cure' it? I'm sick of felling like a teenager!

Not sure there is a cure being as it is, as you say, hormonal. :( Pregnancy was a temporary fix for me too but now my periods are back and like clockwork I get an alien land on my chin 48 hours beforehand. Viva la menopause?

Same over here alpine. Zinc supplements help a little. I have to avoid iodine (found in multivitamin supps) and products with too many silicones in this area.

I've found strawberries exacerbate the problem - anyone else?

Try not to cleanse skin too harshly as stripping oil causes more to be produced.

Oh yes, am currently sporting a shining (literally) example. Mine are horrible big sore hard things that never really come to a head, and I find that the left over redness has only just gone from one before the next one pops up.

I came across this blog post and I am going to give it a try, nothing else has worked so I think it's worth a shot. My skin has a tendency to dryness though, so I don't mind using moisturiser on my chin.

I too am sporting an extra head seemingly growing out of my face at the moment. They only ever come on one side of my face and I too think they are hormone related. Nothing much seems to make any difference. I have tried putting toothpaste on to take out the redness which seems to have some success (make sure you wipe it off before you go out though otherwise you get funny looks in Tesco - I know from bitter experience). I have oily skin at the best of times but just think positive - fewer wrinkles.

Am currently sitting here with a dab of disinfectant on said spot in attempt to dry it out. I smell of Zoflora flowershop!

hi!, i have found that freederm gel is very good - i put it on at night, it says you can use it twice a day but i think in the end you can just overload your skin, it also works very well on dds skin, she is 18, so seems to help with both ends of the age spectrum!

I had this problem from puberty until the age of about 40.

I discovered Tesco Organic cream cleanser and use it with a little (gentle) scrubby type thing and in the second half of my monthly cycle when my skin gets greasy I use(again v gently)Origins Modern friction scrub.
I also use a 2.5 % benzyl peroxide gel that I apply at night if my skin gets very greasy- only one or two days. The point is I do this before my period not treat the spots after.IYSWIM?
Do not under any circumstances use the oil cleansing method which involves lots of massage - I had hideous lumps under the surface which took months to clear up.
if you get the painful lumpy type spots under the skin its usually a sign you are sensitive to testosterone-this increases the oil production -massaging makes it worse.
Have had beautiful clear skin for ages now

Look up www.acne.org -- there's a great step by step method there for dealing with acne as you describe yours, i.e. not severe, cystic, etc. It can be managed by using 2.5% benzoyl peroxide acne gel or lotion plus a non-comedogenic moisturiser, and the site also recommends gentle cleansers.

Vitamin B6 in the run-up to your period may help too.

Another vote here for benzyl peroxide. Use a wash and a cream. Beware though as it can bleach your clothes/bedding/towels. I have an arsenal of 2.5%, 5 and 10% creams depending on need.