Will I ever have clear skin?

[lostinthoughts]

Any tips for hormonal acne? By acne I mean 1-2 spots every month on my chin. Rest of my face is clear. I know I don't have much to complain about, but at nearly 40 I feel my spotty days should be behind me. I have been plagued by a spotty chin since my early twenties.

I drink plenty of water, reasonable diet, cleanse and use a bha, hyaluronic and light moisturiser by day. At night I cleanse and use Skin+me which is tretinoin with azalaid acid and niacinamide. Spots are always around time of period.

Any suggestions gratefully received

Have a coil to stop periods ?

I could have written your post! I tried everything and I mean everything. When I reached about 42 the GP ran out of things to try. I was like you nothing horrendous but it was constant. In the end the GP advised seeing a dermatologist. The derm suggested low dose roaccutane and seriously I wish I had done it years ago. I stayed away from it because I thought it was scary and only for people with horrendous acne. It sorted my skin out once and for all and those days are long behind me.

I have hormonal acne and the GP basically told me there’s not a lot that can be done other than be referred to a dermatologist.

I didn’t want to go on roaccurane due to the side effects and potentially starting to TTC so I went through all the GP’s options (antibiotics, lotions, creams) and now just try and put up with it. I’ve tried facials, all sorts of creams and skin regimes but nothing seems to work.

I have spots almost all the time. Not massive ones but enough to make me feel really self-conscious.

I’d be interested to see whether anyone else suggests something that’s worked for hormonal acne.

Clarabe are there side effects? I've never actually spoken to my GP about this so can imagine there will be lots of things they'll want to try before a derm referral annoyingly.

As for the coil, after 20+ years of being on contraceptives I now don't have to be on anything as DH has had a vasectomy so I really don't want to have to be on contraceptives again if I can help it.

Acupuncture helped me. I also was prescribed tablets not the super strong ones mentioned above by my GP. I also take evening primrose supplements to help balance my hormones.

@CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark

Acupuncture helped me. I also was prescribed tablets not the super strong ones mentioned above by my GP. I also take evening primrose supplements to help balance my hormones.

Did the acupuncture stop you getting spots? That's interesting! I have looked into evening primrose but wasn't sure if it would change much

@lostinthoughts no apart from dry lips. I was on a low dose so probably avoided the worst of it. Honestly I was shitting myself after what I read about it and it was nothing! It also reversed the sun damage on my face from years of being a sun worshipper. I loved it and honestly would take it again in a heartbeat. I had more side effects from creams and tretinoin than roaccutane.I just had to be diligent about wearing sun screen and to be honest that probably has done my skin a world of good. You can see a private dermatologist if you have the funds.

[quote Clarabe1]@lostinthoughts no apart from dry lips. I was on a low dose so probably avoided the worst of it. Honestly I was shitting myself after what I read about it and it was nothing! It also reversed the sun damage on my face from years of being a sun worshipper. I loved it and honestly would take it again in a heartbeat. I had more side effects from creams and tretinoin than roaccutane.I just had to be diligent about wearing sun screen and to be honest that probably has done my skin a world of good. You can see a private dermatologist if you have the funds.[/quote]
Are you off it now? Is it just a short course? Do the problems not come back once you stop?

If you can't see I derm I really recommend watching Dr Sam Bunting's videos on Youtube. I followed all her advice and it cleared my hormonal acne.

*a derm

Stopping eating sugar cleared up my skin completely. Before that I have tried all sorts, spent so much money but nothing worked consistently as well. Some people report the same from cutting out dairy

I should say I also use Skin and Me now but back then I used 20% azelaic acid from an online pharmacy and benzyl peroxide from Boots (used Sam Bunting's tips on how to tolerate it). Not at the same time - one or the other. I got my tretinoin from Europe. Good luck.

@Cakemonger

If you can't see I derm I really recommend watching Dr Sam Bunting's videos on Youtube. I followed all her advice and it cleared my hormonal acne.

Yes I've watched a lot of them and follow her on socials. Do you use her own brand products?

@lostinthoughts I started on 3 x 20mg a week and then took 2 tablets a week for 5 years. The doctor ordered blood tests now and again but said 40mg was probably doing my liver the same amount of damage as a pint of lager a week. I came off it 2 years ago and I have had no issues since. I get the odd pimple but it’s usually gone in a couple of days. A low dose regimen is very different to a full course you avoid the worst side effects. The Doc said if it came back I could go back on it. He has what he calls ‘lifers’ usually women who still have hormonal acne right into their fifties. If you can stand the dry skin and the side effects you can of course take a traditional short course where you take the full dose within a short period. I still have no blackheads- it’s amazing. I have to wash my hair more often now though- sigh!

Have you spoken to your Skin + Me dermatologist? I found them to be helpful making changes to my prescription as needs be. If all else fails I'd consider paying to see a private dermatologist.

Tea tree oil- game changer. I’d get hormonal acne like clockwork in my cheeks really bloody uncomfortable and it would always scare. Never get it now. Tea tree oil twice a day all over the face.

Scar not scare although I’m sure it did scare some people.

Treclin gel worked for me. You can get it from online pharmacies. Only slight side effect was dry skin where the spots clear up. And you have to wear sunscreen. Not suitable for anyone TTC.

I’m a big fan of glycolic acid - doesn’t stop them completely but I’d say a 50 percent reduction.

I've had this problem for years since coming off hormonal contraception. Started using Lush Ultrabland in January and washing off with a hot flannel/using a basic sensitive moisture (nivea, waitrose own, etc) and my skin is completely spot free! If it wasn't my face, I wouldn't believe it.

@lostinthoughts

Clarabe are there side effects? I've never actually spoken to my GP about this so can imagine there will be lots of things they'll want to try before a derm referral annoyingly.

As for the coil, after 20+ years of being on contraceptives I now don't have to be on anything as DH has had a vasectomy so I really don't want to have to be on contraceptives again if I can help it.

The coil isn’t only used for contraception. I use it to stop heavy periods which were making me anaemic. If you stop your periods you might also stop the cyclical spots.

My doctor gave me duac cream, when you first use it your race goes a wee bit red but that's due to the peroxide in it. Cleared my face up. A break out to me is 2 spots now.

Accutane here too.

All acne’s hormonal, that’s why kids don’t get it despite being little mingers given the chance.

I’m similar to you - now mid forties, and have always had several spots on my chin/jaw line. The under the skin ones, rather than ones with a head.
Over the last 2 years, I’ve done the following, and my skin has massively improved:

• cut down on dairy
• biggest difference ever using a product = Paulas Choice BHA Liquid Exfoliant. Total game changer. It’s expensive but worth it.
• another incredible product is a salicylic acid soap with tiny exfoliating particles, which was recommended on here. Bought from Amazon and very effective. It’s called Revitale

-TIINY amount of Acnecide directly on spots. Too much dries out the skin and causes a red rash, but tiny amounts I’ve found are ok

I’ve tried EVERY product over the years, and the above has made a huge difference.

Spironolactone

A private Derm prescribed this for me in my forties and I still take it. Acts in a similar way to the likes of Dianette - so an anti androgen.