If my skin is only clear when I'm pregnant or breastfeeding then what's going on?

[midnight1983]

I am searching for a miracle cure for my hormonal acne!

I have suffered since I was 12 and it has continued into my thirties. The only times it has fully cleared is during pregnancy and breastfeeding... Currently breastfeeding and am dreading the return of acne when I finish in a couple of months. Has anyone else experienced this and has words of wisdom?

No words of wisdom but I'm also like this!

Same. Currently breastfeeding and it is much improved. I know when AF returns so will my acne. Topical roaacutane works well for me but can’t take that whilst bf anyway.

I'm in exactly the same boat.

Paula’s Choice 2% bha, and zinc and magnesium supplements have helped me. It’s not an absolute fix but I get far fewer break-outs even when my period is due

It's due to hormones - oestrogen prevents spots and testosterone (present in females too) makes them more likely.

Some tips:

• Non foaming cleanser removed with a wet flannel (I like (Superfacialist vitamin c oil, Garnier honey milk, Clarins melting gel, Clinique Take the Day Off balm)
• Avoid alcohol in products unless they're fatty alcohols (you can Google ingredients to find out)
• Moisturisers in tubes or bottles instead of jars
• Products with salicylic acid or niacinamide once a day or a few times a week (Garnier sensitive salicylic moisturiser, Paula's Choice, Freederm gel, The Ordinary)
• Apply clay masks to individual spots (Superfacialist do a good one)
• Wash pillowcases, flannels, towels and make up brushes/sponges regularly
• Fantastic supplements: Evening Primrose Oil, omega 3, cod liver
• Having too little or too much zinc in the diet causes spots
• Drink lots of water
• Eat healthily, raw or lightly cooked foods. As little processed food as possible. Red apples are good for preventing spots (royal gala)
• Good gut health: live yoghurt (like Onken), goat kefir, green apples, soft cheeses high in bacteria like brie
• Avoid antibiotics unless absolutely necessary
• Dairy, gluten and red meat cause many people to break out

Oestrogen?

Nope but 8ts me too!

Ordinarily I have to wash my hair every day and have had bad skin since I was about 11 (have tried the not washing your hair thig and it does not work for me).

Through both pregnancies I have had beautifully clear skin and only needed to wash my hair every 3-4 days (though I usually did it more often.

I'm now 4 month pp.
My skin is crap. Hair needs washing every 1-2 days again and is coming out in handfuls

Thanks for all the wisdom! Sorry to hear so many of us are in the same boat 😣 I will look into some of these products for sure... Hard to find time to do skincare with two kids...

I am the purveyor of doom when it comes to ‘answers’ for acne. But I speak the truth:
It’s hormonal acne.
But: really, whatever the cause, your acne has to be treated. It’s like saying ‘my diabetes was caused by a virus/autoimmune disease/whatever. The thing is, no matter the cause, the diabetes has to be treated in itself. Acne is the same. It has to be treated as a stand-alone.

Any of the above treatments might help. And if it becomes bothersome, get thee to a GP/derm.