Huge spots on face before period

[Scotsmum2017]

In my 40’s and think my body is having a mid life crisis. My face, chin mostly, has a delightful breakout the week before my period. The spots can be painful as they are more cyst like under the skin, with no whitehead (sorry tmi).
Has anyone got any good tips to get rid of these unsightly spots??

I have these and it's not as bad since I started to take starflower oil supplements each day. There's no cream/potion that helped me, it's hormonal.

I’ve never heard of that, is that something you would get in Boots?

End of last year this started happening to me too. Tried a number of things, including salicylic acid but nothing really worked.

A friend recommended Mario Badescu drying lotion. I actually bought the drying mask along with the drying lotion and I have been really impressed with the results.

As soon as I feel a tell tale under the skin tenderness or heat I pop on the drying lotion overnight. Every time so far it has stopped them in their tracks. I use the mask once a week or so too.

I’ve been taking Evening Primrose oil capsules (Holland & Barrett) for the last 2 months & I’ve noticed a vast improvement in my skin. It’s great for skin. Ointment wise, I use Neutrogena visibly clear rapid treatment gel on any spots I get and it clears them up very quickly.

evening primrose oil and starflower oil have very similar properties. Both good for hormonal balance and skin.

Yes you can get both in Boots, Tesco, Holland and Barrett. Just reading online, I think evening primrose oil is probably better for spots. I will buy those next!

I get these. Incredibly painful! They never come to a head but if I pull the skin taut they are bright yellow. Sometimes they will squeeze with enough pressure (and gritted teeth)

Yes, hormonal cystic acne, you've described exactly what I get each month. I have some awful scarring from them. Will try the evening primrose oil and starflower oil as recommended here.

This is the Evening Primrose I take, 3 times a day with meals. They are doing buy one get one half price on everything at the moment or wait until the penny sale 😀

ALDI do evening primrose oil. About a 10th of the price of H&B.

Since I added a hydrating toner, I no longer get these. I use Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner (Korean brand) but many are available, as long as you go for a non alcohol, no witch hazel one. Other popular ones are Klairs Supple Preparation Toner and Secret Key aloe toner.

I used to take Evening Primrose but didn't have any improvement with the deep under the skin spots as a result.

I have just developed this too! So delightful - not.
I started using La Roche Effeclar stuff and have seen a marked improvement. Think I will start taking EPO as well now, having read this.

Thanks everyone, another joy of getting older it seems, will give the epo a go, see how I get on. Seems grossly unfair dealing with teenagers and being punished with teenage acne too!

Not exactly the same as my problem but have also started getting hormonal spots on my chin and sometimes neck! I try to use natural products where possible so after doing some research I made a toner by mixing witch hazel and lavender oil, which i apply after cleansing, before moisturising. While it doesn't prevent the spots, it stops them from getting too bad and they clear up more quickly. Gave some to my sister and worked for her too. Will definitely try EP Oil now though - thanks!

Hi I had this / have this I went to see a dermatologist about my rosacea at the time I went I was having a particularly bad outbreak she diagnosed cystic acne and prescribed erithromiasin (I think that's the spelling) literally poof gone overnight and my skin has never been better. I'd go to your GP and see if they will either refer you or diagnose- good luck!

I have experienced the same at 34. I've started using a salysalic acid face wash but also acnicide cream from the pharmacy. I just put it on my jaw line where I get the cystic spots. Touch wood I've been clear for a couple of cycles now.

I had the same. Don’t waste money on beauty products if it’s cystic. See your GP. I found Duac does the trick

I used to get this - SO frustrating.

I started taking cod liver oil capsules as I'd read it could sort it out and 1 x cystic monthly zit turned into 8 constant cystic zits. I stopped taking it and they calmed down a bit but I still got a couple every month.

Duac cream used every other day for one single week last spring killed them dead and I haven't had one since!

Magic.