Hormonal Acne - Help!

[cherrylo86]

So I am 33, recently diagnosed with PCOS, have raging hormonal acne and excess facial hair (manageable at the moment) but my acne is awful. Its all bunched up on my cheeks and jaw line then some random big spots on my chin.

I had great skin as a teenager and was on pill for 15 years so never had an issue before. TTC so going back on pill is not an option.

I don't really know where to start with proper skin care for acne. Online information seems contradictory.

Prior to the acne coming I would just use a mild foaming cleanser (various brands usually something for sensitive skin) and moisturise with SPF. I always remove my makeup before bed.

Now I have tried a variety of acne cleansers just from Boots etc. but nothing seems to work. I have been trying The Ordinary Salicylic acid on the spots at night which hasn't really done anything, maybe dries the spots out a bit but it just comes back.

I got a sample of Glamglow Galactic cleanser with a purchase and this feels amazing and skin feels great afterwards but I am not sure if this is the correct type of cleanser for acne or whether its actually going to help?

What products do I need, what should I avoid?

Please help, it is really getting me down feeling I need to cover up my skin even more and feeling really self-conscious about my skin which i have never really felt before.

Thanks!

Unfortunately you won’t be able to use some of the most effective treatments for hormonal acne whilst ttc, and frustratingly hormonal acne can be stubborn and quite resistant to topical treatment (I have first hand experience)

If salicylic acid has not worked have you tried any of the following treatments - azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or retinoids?

I think boots do a 20% azelaic acid cream (online acne clinic)

Studies have shown 2.5% benzoyl peroxide is just as effective as higher strengths without excess irritation. Acne.org sell a 2.5% bp gel

I would keep your cleanser and moisturiser quite simple, frangrance free and ph balanced as you don’t want to irritate your skin further whilst using acne treatment.

Niacinamide, vitamin C (in the form of SAP), and zinc gluconate supplements have also be shown to be beneficial for acne sufferers. I wouldn’t use any of them alone but in addition to you acne treatment

Some people claim giving up dairy works wonder for their acne but the evidence isn’t so clear cut, worth giving a try though

Spearmint tea has been shown to lower free testosterone in women with PCOS, again ymmv

Following a low carb diet can be very helpful for some women with pcos, helping to reverse symptoms such as acne and facial hair

Ultimately it’s trial and error
I really hope you find something to help with your acne

Gosh apologies for all the written mistakes ^

I found Exposed Skincare (available online) worked very well for me but you'll have to stop it if you get pregnant. Good news is my skin got brilliant while pregnant. Gone to shit again now and I still can't use it because I'm ebf.

Nourish skin rather than attack

Eating fish or taking fish oil (omega 3)
Taking evening primrose oil tablets (helps with spots and hormones)
Avoiding products with alcohol denat and petrochemicals
See whether less dairy and wheat helps
I like the Boots Superfacialist trio of vitamin c cleansing oil, their mask (with the niacinamide, salicylic acid and kaolin in) and probiotic cream. The Eucerin ato-control moisturiser is also good and the Garnier salicylic one for sensitive skin (white tube, not the normal one in the blue tube) too
Wash your pillowcases and brushes/sponges regularly
Eat an anti-inflammatory diet (Google and make swaps eg red apples instead of bananas)
Use a fresh flannel to cleanse, run under warm water
Cleanse your face as soon as you get home (especially if you wear makeup and/or live in a polluted area [which includes rural places]). You can re-moisturise before bed or use a plant based oil then. I recommend organic pumpkin seed oil (Akoma)
Massage your face. Move to help clear the skin - Start from the nose and holding your hand flat, push outwards towards the ears.

The only thing that worked for me was a dose of antibiotics from my GP. I had big, ugly, red spots on my chin and a smaller cluster along my jawline permanently. The doctor prescribed one tablet of Doxycycline every day for 3 months, which cleared it right up.
I still get small breakouts on my chin coming up to and during my period, but these clear up on their own.
I'm not sure if these would be suitable for you as you are TTC, but maybe worth a chat with your GP if nothing else works?

I also suffer from PCOS, with facial hair and cystic acne. Had horrible break outs after giving birth to my son, it would take literally months for the pastules to heal, always leaving purple scars. I’ve lovered my diary intake and also stick to low sugar and low carb diet.
I drink Spearmint tea and take Agnus Castus tablets daily.
For my skincare, I stick mainly to La Roch Possey Effaclar range, usually do double cleanse with LRP and Dove soap.
Skin and hair seems to be under control arm, I think low carb diet makes massive difference.
Please don’t give up, it took me 6 months to see progress once I made the changes mentioned above.
Good luck

Forgot to mention, rosehip oil was great for treating the acne scars

Wow thank you all so much for your responses going to note everything down and try different things! Also yes I do need to sort my diet out also I don’t eat awfully bad but could do with being healthier. Will try make subtle cuts to carbs and dairy see if it helps. Thanks again I will report back if I find anything that works. Just needed some direction as it’s all so new to me!

I’ve had all this too and after having to come off dianette 14 years ago I’m on roaccutane.

I’d see the gp, nothing otc works on pcos acne for long. It’s all coming from inside you.

I’m dairy free through allergy, little processed food & what I have is mostly organic, non smoking, non drug taking, non drinking (ok I have a glass of Sauvignon blanc on nights out) fresh pillowcase every night girl and I’ve had crap skin for 20 years. I should be radiant with my lifestyle 🤷🏻‍♀️ Instead I ended up looking like a crystal meth addict 😭