Hormonal acne - what actually works?

[Spottythedog]

I am sick of my hormonal acne! I’m 34 and stopped taking the pill about 6 months ago because I want to ttc next year and I thought my cycle might be messed up (it is but it’s getting more regular now). I’ve been on the pill since I was 16. I had a break in my early twenties when I subsequently had terrible acne, as a result I went back on the pill and took lymecycline for 6 months. It went and my skin has been ok since.

Except since I came off the pill I have huge breakouts all down my jaw and chin. The spots are cystic I think, they take weeks to heal and they are painful. I also have awful bacne and spots on my chest. I use Cerave cleanser and a basic no7 moisturiser as well as acnecide benzoyl peroxide. Used to have a big skincare regime but I’ve stopped it to avoid aggravating my skin. I’m also back on the lymecycline! It has stopped getting worse but not necessarily any better.

Is there anything at all I can try? I don’t want to keep taking lymecycline indefinitely for as long as I’m off the pill, as it could be ages. But it makes me sad to think my skin will look terrible for all this time. I’m at the end of my tether feeling like a teenager with hormonal spots.

I hugely sympathise. Have you tried DIM supplement? It's very well rated - I half-heartedly tried it a year or two back and didn't notice a great difference but I've just started again with a zeal to stick to it...

I found that cutting out dairy seemed to help - I still have a little bit every now and again but have dramatically cut down.

Other than that, the only other thing you see recommended a lot is spironolactone - you could try a private derm for a prescription for that, if you can afford it?

I had terrible jawline acne that was really stubborn. I went to the GP and was prescribed duac and it was gone within afew days! Absolutely amazing stuff! X

Go and get tested for food allergies - mine is dairy and aspartame. I drank cherry Coke Zero last week 4 days in a row and like magic my once lovely skin is now covered with chin spots. 😢 I'm such an idiot.

Zinc tablets

I've had hormonal acne my entire life and tired absolutely everything on the market and on prescription. A 6 month course of antibiotics didn't even touch it. I then fell pregnant and it completely disappeared!

I sometimes have the odd breakout the week before my period but it's nothing like it used to be. Whenever this happens I use the babies metanium nappy rash cream over night and it reduces the redness and helps soothe the pain and swelling. It's a yellow tube of nappy cream that you can buy in the pharmacy. The stuff works wonders.

Also the la roche posay effaclar cleanser is very good and gentle on the skin. It's not cheap but it's worth every penny.

I am having the exact same issue, it’s very annoying and feels like I’ve gone back in time to being 15.

I’ve had some good results for most of the cycle with niacinamode serum (from Boots) and a very plain moisturiser (Simple), but as soon as my period is due it comes back for a few days. I also like the Starface stickers for reducing especially big painful ones.

The only thing that worked for me was a Skin & Me prescription. I used to have awful cysts types spots on my chin, jawline and neck (after coming off the pill). I might only get 1 spot in 4 months now.

Tretinoin fixed mine from Dermatica.

I tried everything for years, I suffered cystic acne and would always have breakouts. I tried antibiotics, different creams from the GP, herbal tablets etc. I was convinced I had hormonal acne and then it slowly improved over a few years (not overnight!). I rarely get a spot now even when off the pill and pregnant! I actually found using all the harsh or expensive chemicals made my skin worse in the long run. Benzoyl peroxide would dry them out but it would always come back. The only things i can think of that might have made a difference in my case:

1. Better sleep and diet. I hated when people would tell me this because I thought it couldn't be that simple. But your overall health is important. I eat a varied diet, drink plenty of water, take vitamins, don't drink much alcohol. I still eat chocolate though so it's not that!
2. Go back to basics and simplify your skin routine. Even just soap and water! I only use micellar water now to remove make up. No heavy cleansers, exfoliators, toners, fancy creams etc. Your skin needs to heal. Occasionally I use a moisturizer but nothing too heavy or oily.
3. La Roche possay effeclar duo was the only thing I found that was worth the money. It's not too harsh on your skin and made my skin better.

I have suffered with bad skin since having children 30 odd years ago. I have had antibiotics, roaccutane and all sorts over the years.
January this year I went to sign up for Dermatica for ageing, they responded that I need the rosacea treatment. The first photo is January and the second is this week. My skin is completely different no pus spots that would linger, no constant congestion under the skin, the lines on my chin have reduced and my skin tone is miles better. I like it as it's so easy, apply at night before bed. I use gentle products on my face and no harsh exfoliating.
I have a code if interested and I do wish I had found this so many years ago. They have treatments for ageing, acne, rosacea and others.

www.dermatica.co.uk/referrer/3LW935

I had horrendous adult hormonal acne for years and years. I tried long term antibiotics, private laser and £££ skin products (this did work) plus skin peels, all manner of skin routines. Temporarily cleared up having children and then came back with a vengeance.

The thing that finally cleared it properly for me was Epiduo, which is benzoyl peroxide and adapene (retinoid) combined. It’s been life changing.

I’m now on dermatica for anti-aging and I have to say, my skin is pretty much flawless now.

Diet helps but for me it didn’t help enough.

Don’t give up, you’ll get there.

Sorry, I should say that I had to get the Epiduo from my GP.

I’ve got a Skin + me prescription but I’m getting married in a few weeks and didn’t want to start it before the wedding in case it made things worse! Next year I am going to start this instead of the benzoyl peroxide, mostly because it’s bleaching my towels no matter how much I wash my hands!

My diet isn’t too bad tbh and I do a lot of exercise so drink a lot of water. Have the odd glass of wine at the weekend. I’m convinced it is hormonal as my skin was near perfect until I stopped taking the pill but I don’t see why I should have to take it for the foreseeable just so I don’t get spots, being a woman sucks!!

OP, just be careful using tretinoin if you are planning on to conceive. From what I have read it's not recommended or at least you have to be careful, just check with your GP.

Pregnancy cured my acne (5 years down the line now, no hormonal contraception, another pregnancy and it still hasn't come back) so you might find it sorts itself out next year anyway if you can manage it in the meantime.