Cystic acne - is there anything else I can do?

[diggerdigsdogs]

So back to basics for me and my horrible post breast feeding and first TOTM for 20 months skin.

I'm in Aus so no popping to boots.

I'm using the LRP effaclar Micellar water to first cleanse.
Cetaphil removed with a flannel to second cleanse
Nip fab dragons blood to acid tone
Effacclar duo

I also have some redermic r but not sure if I can use that after effacclar duo or even if I should.

I'm desperate. Is so bloody sore. 3rd dc and always the same when I finally finish bf and periods return.

Any suggestions? My skin is good otherwise - normal (neither greasy nor dry to combi t zone.

drink plenty of mineral water
take a high dosage, good quality magnesium supplement. Lindens apothecary online is good
and sudocrem on the spots every night. Not sexy but highly effective
a solution of one part unpasteurised, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to two parts water as a toner is also wonderfully effective

That's what worked on my cystic acne.

With my just regular acne breakouts now I have discovered the Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean 3 in 1 cleanser and their fab pore moisturising lotion to be wonderful!

I had a similar situation at around 8 months post-birth - I was still bf but I think something hormonal just happened and my skin went terrible. I've been a huge fan of LRP since then, as a combo of their Toleriane cleanser, Toleriane Ultra moisturiser and Effaclar Duo seemed to sort things out (It wasn't instant though). I also used diluted Hibiscrub as a first cleanser, before the Toleriane. Good luck - I really sympathise.

Effeclar duo is good but you need benzoyl peroxide ointments for now.

I would probably stick to the lrp micellar water, drop the cetaphil for something like the lrp toleraine or Avene gentle cleanser. I would use clearasil salycic acid pads, then put on benzoyl peroxide ESP at night. May be the effeclar in the morning if the Bp is to strong. Cut out all sugar and alcohol and drink tons of water. Do not use hibiscrub it is way to damaging for your skin. And check out Dr Sam Bunting video on acne.

And maybe see if your doctor can prescribe retin A. Lrp redermic R has retinols which is different to retin A. Use this instead of the benzoyl peroxide.

I have started using retin-a and vitamin c serums, one at night, one in the morning. Have only had one spot in 8 weeks. Normally have a couple of painful ones on each side of chin every month. Worth a try, ordered off amazon.

Bloody hell. I keep on replying and losing it.

Thank you all so much.

I've ordered a benzoyl peroxide (the Paula's choice one which is 5%). I'll look for the clearisil toner.

Which toleraine cleanser is it? The foaming gel or the other one?

And thank you, thank you. It's Rubbish.

Hello digger I share your pain. I've had cystic acne on and off since my late teens . For me it's largely hormonal but antibiotics from the GP have helped in the past - but as soon as I stop, it comes back. However in the last month I've tried out a couple of new things which have definitely helped - no new cysts and the redness and pigmentation are fading. It's too soon to tell iff it will help long-term but I am hopeful!
A couple of things that work for me:
Washing gently with a VERY dilute hibiscrub solution (I decant a tiny amount into a bottle and fill up with water in about a 1:25 mix).
Paula's choice resist BHA + azaleic acid treatment in the mornings - love this stuff!
Alpha h liquid gold night serum (not the standard LG but the serum one).

I don't have oily skin so I layer on some light moisture layers over the top.

Proactiv with benzoyl peroxide, not the European version. Only thing has has ever controlled mine. I've just stopped breastfeeding my 18 month old and having issues too X

You heal from within, so these products are not going to fix it all.

Stay off sugar + stay off dairy.

Probably easier said than done when you're BF-ing and everyone's telling you to eat cake.

Another vote for watching the Sam Bunting videos - she explains everything so well and you realize completely what you are doing wrong. At the moment you aren't really using a strong active. The Benzoyl peroxide in the morning and Redermic R in the evening would be way way better than what you are doing now.

If that doesn't work go and see your GP.

I am exactly the same. My skin breaks out when I stop BFing (DC3 due next week, so it'll happen again at some point )

The only thing that helped me was going to the doctor. Differin (topical) worked wonders, alongside cleansing with cetaphil and moisturising with cerave (lovely stuff).

Sorry to hijack but does anyone know amy products I can use while pregnant for cystic acne?

What about seeing a dermatologist? Roaccutane will probably sort you out

Panoxyl (10%) is much more effective than Benzoyl (which is 5%) you can order online!

I've had bad cystic acne now for a few years. It's along my jawline/down my neck, so it's probably hormonal. Since I don't want to mess with my hormones I felt stuck. I've used bensoyl peroxide previously in my life and never been impressed, but decided I was being pig-headed about not using it this time. In the past I've tried to attack my skin to behave - what if I used the BP and also gentle stuff and plenty of moisturising/hydrating layers? I must say this approach has worked. I double cleanse with low-PH cleansers to maintain my acid barrier and not further aggravate my skin, I use BP morning and/or night, I use a retinol cream (only at night), I use several layers of hydration and moisture. It's slowly getting there.

The Toleriane cleanser is use is the milky one that you massage on and rinse off (or remove with wet cotton wool). I also really like the Effaclar gentle foaming cleanser (I know everyone recoils in horror when you mention foaming cleansers but this one has never caused me any trouble and I have pretty sensitive skin. Likewise, don't discount very diluted Hibiscrub! I got lots of pearl-clutching the first time I asked about it on here, in desperation, but sooo many people popped up and said it'd done wonders for them.