Hormonal acne - but can't/won't go on the contraceptive pill

[hormonalacne]

I have painful cystic acne on my chin and jaw. I've tried Duac but had a reaction to it and am currently using Differin which after 4 months is still not having an effect.

GP said my options are oral antibiotics or the pill. I don't want to go on the pill, I have a medical condition that puts me at higher risk of blood clots and whilst I can technically be prescribed it at my GP's discretion, I don't want to go on it.

Is there anything I should know about oral antibiotics for hormonal acne or any other alternative treatments?

I had the same and used Paula's choice BHA lotion in the turquoise bottle. My skin is quite sensitive but this stuff doesn't irritate. After years of hormonal acne I now have good skin.

I took the antibiotics. You can take them safely, dh is on doxycycline for life due to immunodeficiency.

If antibiotics don’t work you can ask to see a dermatology, it doesn’t need to be bad acne for that it just needs to be unresponsive to commonly prescribed treatments.

Good luck finding an oral contraceptive that works against acne, I was on Dianette and the GP took it off me as apparently it’s not ‘safe’. I’d love to sort two birds with one stone so to speak. Good luck.

I'm using skin and me. Two months ago when I finished BFing I switched to their retinol formula and it's making a difference. Every month the cream they send increases in strength and it does sting a little on days 1&2. But my spots are smaller and don't last as long, it's still not good, but I think I can see a light at the end of this tunnel. I do get flaky skin, but I prefer that to cysts and whiteheads.
A friend uses dermatica which is similar and that worked well for her.

I haven't been to the GP as I can't imagine it being helpful? I've had acne in varying degrees since I was a teenager and I don't want to go back on hormonal contraception.

I had the Duac gel for a while, but it was really the antibiotics that made the difference to me. I was on Doxycycline for around a year, I think. Cleared it right up and have had no issues since.

I would try a service like skin&me first before going on either. Long term antibiotics plays havoc with the gastric system. I have taken them a number of times when I was younger and the acne just returned the minute I stopped a course anyway.

No dairy helped me an awful lot, but the tretinoin prescription from skin&me is the only thing that's fended off spots long term and has improved my skin overall. Only downside is the cost of £20 a month, obviously an NHS prescription is less but better to avoid oral meds when possible IMO.

Zinc helps with cystic acne, as in a zinc supplement.

Interested to see the suggestions as I don’t want to go on hormonal contraception.

What about spironolactone?
www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/derm-treat/hormonal-therapy

Not tried it myself as pill was fine for me.

I second spironolactone, but I did have to see a dermatologist privately to get it (it’s off label usage for acne)

Also have you considered taking isotretinoin? Arguably the most effective treatment against acne

Lymecycline is a brilliant antibiotic for acne.

Ooh im interested to see the comments about spiralactone as i am in the middle of a conversation with my gp about this for facial hair, i didnt know it would help the acne too

You can’t have isotretonoin unless antibiotics fail.

I took it in the end.

I didn't want to take the antibiotics either, nor am I on a contraceptive. Acnecide (benzoyl peroxide) is good, I also like Silver Serum as a moisturiser (anything too thick is a no go for me) and I also really rate those High Frequency Facial things. I genuinely believe it's made a huge difference to my skin. I still get the odd break out, but I use the facial wand and it gets rid of the spot so much quicker. This is particularly true of those painful under the skin ones.

GPs can prescribe spironolactone off label. You just have to get them on board. Great stuff!

Spirinalactone was amazing for my hormonal acne.

What's your skincare routine along with Differin? Are you double cleansing to remove spf/makeup properly? I'm in a similar situation due to PCOS, hormonal acne went out of control last year but being consistent with Differin regularly and good skincare has sorted it out. My GP and derm both wouldn't give me Spironolactone but you can try that although it has side effects as well.

@CremeDeSudo do you mind me asking what brand is the wand?

I got mine from Amazon. Apparently it's Project E Beauty but doesn't look like it's available anymore. There's lots though!

Lymecycline worked an absolute miracle for me.

Thank you Creme!

I ended up having 3 courses of antibiotics for an infected wound on my finger which had a perfect side effect of clearing all the acne on my face. The last trip for antibiotics and the doctor asked if I suffered with Rosacea and gave me metronidazole cream, so far it has kept my skin clear. I wish I had asked for antibiotics years ago.

Get tretinoin from a dermatologist