Adult acne

[alslittlesingers]

Wise mothers, please help. I get terrible adult acne on my jawline and throat particularly around the time of menstruation. I have had to stop taking the contraceptive pill which used to completely clear it because of migraines. I don't believe topical creams can help but if anyone has any advice, I'd gratefully receive it.

Ask for a different contraceptive pill OP. Acne around the jawline is usually hormone related, I had it & was given do Dianette which cleared it up but also gave me migraines, I swapped to microgynon pill with long term antibiotics ( can't remember the name) & my skin cleared with no side effects. I now don't take any tablets but still have hormonal flare ups occasionally which resolve after a couple of days. Change your pillow case nightly & boil wash them, buy a load of cheap cotton ones ????

Speak to your GP. I have been getting nasty cystic ones, possibly due to my pill and I am using clindamycin gel and benzoyl peroxide on the spots. Also, maybe look at what shampoo and hair products you are using; I found the garner ultimate blends range to be terrible for giving me acne and back acne. Your go should be able to help.

What have you trieed already?

Stuff you can do without your GP is:

Bland non-foaming cleanser like Cetaphil or Avene Gentle Cleanser
Salicylic acid toner like Effaclar Duo, Paula's Choice 2% BHA
Oil free moisturiser with Niacinamide like Cerave

Introduce one thing at a time and don't make another change for 3-4 weeks at least. After all that the next thing you can do is add a retinol such as LRP Redermic R.

For me the spots went almost completely with the salicylic acid and totally with the retinol.

If all of that doesn't work - you need a prescription. There are lots of prescription options (and yes many of them are topical creams )