Acne, help!!

[Waterduck]

Im 27 and since falling pregnant, my face has broken out in acne. Its mainly on my cheeks but has also now started on my chin & forehead. They are very red blemishes as well as the odd manky whitehead (ew).

I had my DS just over 3-mths ago and they are not getting any better. I have tried everything, all sorts of face washes / scrubs / plain water but just when I think something is working, off they go again. Short of asking to go back on dianete (the pill) which I had several years ago I don't know what else to try. Does anyone have any advice?? I'd really like to avoid going on the pill & messing with my hormones again. HELP!!!

Vitamin B6 (100mgs I think) is what I was advised to take for acne while pg. It worked pretty well, and I have taken a supplement since then if it flared up. B6 is also good for PMS symptoms. There's also this site and method, which I found very helpful.

Thank you, I shall give both those a go...fingers crossed!!

I just typed out a huge message then when I read it back, realised it was no help whatsoever!!!

Basically, I was just saying that the thing that finally worked for me was running 3 packs of Dianette together I know it's probably not a good idea, and you say that you'd rather not go back on the pill, but that's what worked for me. I had awful spots on my chin as my Mirena came to the end if its lifespan and NOTHING I tried to get rid of them, worked.

I've probably tempted fate now and will wake up covered tomorrow, but it was about 3 months ago now that I came off the pill (and I'd been on it for 3 months beforehand) and touch wood I've only had the occasional tiny spot.

A short term solution to dry the spots out is plain old Sudocrem. I've tried millions of different spot busters and this works really well. It's only taken me 10 years of using it on babies bums to try it out!!!

Good luck, I know how low I felt when I had the spots. Vain, I know, but it does affect you doesn't it?

The things that worked for me when I had breakouts were, Retin A on prescription from doctor. I rcently asked for some but she gave me some other bacterial gel instead which didn't work, so persist and ask for that. Also some herbal pills that had extract of burdock root in them. I also found if I left make up off they stayed longer, even if i wasn't fully made up just in the house, I would dab cream foundation on them every day it dried them out and kept my fingers off them.

have you ever tried Lush skincare products?

I had abysmal acne from the moment i stopped breastfeeding when dd was 15 months. tried topical and oral antibiotics, and like you, every scrub/wash on the market. Then i discovered this

this

this

and

this

and my skin has made an unbelievable recovery. only trouble is i'm now a lush addict, if i stop using these specific products i get horrible painful, lumpy acne again. it really, really works though.

I have had (on and off) bad acne a lot in the past - seems mostly under control now. Some other suggestions you might like to try (subject to doctor's or pharmacist's advice of course):

• Silicol skin - a gel that my sister's friend swears by. You can get it over the counter at Boots. It cleared up her skin in 6 weeks (from bad adult acne to no spots at all). I've never tried it though. My sister tried it and it didn't do much for her.

• Differin gel - on prescription from the doctor. I liked this treatment as it didn't irritate my skin or make it flaky/dry/red. I have to ask for it to get it though as it's quite expensive (according to my GP, who had never prescribed it before when I asked for it by name and had to look it up). I couldn't tolerate Retin-A - for some reason my face just went very very red and sore the first time I used it and I ended up washing it off and abandoning it, although it is very effective for other people. Another good one is Zineryt (again, on prescription).

• In terms of tablets, I found Minocin to be great, but that's for a doctor to advise on. I have also had Roaccutane, but that's serious stuff that requires a hospital referral.

• I have read a number of reviews on the internet about chinese herbal products that are great for acne - I've not tried them personally, but might be worth a trip to your local chinese herbalist for a soap and face cream. I can't remember the names of the ones that are recommended, but they aren't very expensive.

Thank you everyone. I will give the lush stuff ago, my DH had v.bad eczema (excuse spelling!!) 6 years ago & since using Dream Cream after every shower he's (touch wood) never had it since, so their stuff does work...if only they did a loyalty card!!

I will also keep a note of the prescribed creams. I'm desperate to get rid of them as I feel embarrased & like a spotty teenager, not a yummy mummy as I should feel!! So thank you again everyone, I will gives these ago and see if I can find something that works for me.

Thank you xx