7 replies to this topic

[rachelcb80]

I'm new to the boards as a signed up member though I've been reading for quite some time already. Finally felt like I wanted to voice my frustration with acne. I just turned 31 and have been dealing with acne for the past 2 1/2 years. I never had trouble with acne before that, just the occasional forehead pimple or whatever in highschool. I had my first baby when I was 25, nursed him for a year, got pregnant with my second, nursed her for a year then got pregnant with my third and nursed him. When I stopped nursing my last baby (and didn't get pregnant with another, LoL) is when my trouble with my skin began. I began having itchy bumps randomly break out on my temples and pimples steadily popping up on my chin. I've changed hair products many times and finally settled on one of Aubrey Organics products. It's all natural and seems to keep the itchy temple breakouts to a minimum. I have not found anything that helps with the chin acne.

I've tried all the usual, Proactive, salicylic acid products, an all natural sea salt soap from my local health store, etc. Pimples only show up on my chin and 95% of them within a 1/4" radius in two areas, one on each side of the chin. Many of them are the type that start deep down where you can't even see them but they really hurt. I have no more than two at a time but just as one heals up, another takes it's place. I'm very, very careful with not touching my face, or leaning the phone against it. I'm very careful with my diet, eating pratically zero processed food and simple carbs (flours, refined sugars, etc). If any of you have read Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon, that's the eating style I try and follow.

I understand my acne is very likely hormone related, though I don't understand how the rest of my skin can be clear and trouble free. I'm really not willing to try birth control pills though so I may be up against a brick wall. Right now I've gone to a new regimen, started this past Monday. I'm just using plain bar Ivory soap for morning and evening cleansing. In the evening I'm following up the cleansing with a baking soda scrub, apple cider vinegar toner and jojoba oil for moisture. I've also started taking Milk Thistle daily and putting apple cider vinegar (Braggs raw cider vinegar) in my water throughout the day. I guess the idea is to try cleansing from the inside of my body too, just in case the acne is caused by a toxin build-up. I will say I LOVE the jojoba oil and the baking soda scrub has really helped the rest of my skin look and feel smooth. Haven't noticed it helping my chin at all though. Two pimples from the week before last have just healed up but I've got one of those deep ones that started hurting yesterday and this morning one of the surface kind, red and inflamming more and more as the day goes on. Both those new ones less than 1/8" from a healing one. But I know it takes way more than a week for stuff to work so I'll stick with this for awhile, just like I did with all the other products.

Any advice is more than welcomed. Really it just feels good to finally vent about this. Thanks to all who read this far.

[pickychick]

Have you tried cutting out dairy and soy? Apparently, dairy contains hormones from the cows and soy contains phytoestrogens. Personally, I've noticed I tend to break out more when I have dairy, but I'm not sure yet if it's just coincidence. Anyhow, it's worth a try. Also, iodine is supposedly a trigger for some people, as are high glycemic index foods (although it sounds like you already don't each much of those).

[kidego]

Try Turmeric Powder, IMO everyone should start with this. I buy Turmeric Powder (in spice section) @ Walmart for $4.58. Add some Black Pepper which aids in absorbtion. I've been dealing with Acne for over 20 years until I started taking Turmeric (except when I experiment with other things, namely MSM). Best treatment I have found, fastest working, and cheapest. AND no diet restrictions for me except Vit C. Also continue with ACV, hepls with pH balance along with other benefits.

[naturaldoctor]

Deffo worth trying cutting out dairy (soya was a good alternative for me) and going on a low GI or low GL diet. Easy to do and you will see an improvement.

Keep your skin care regime simple, cleanse and moisturise twice a day. With a cleanser you trust and a non-condomogenci moisturiser (I use Avene Hydrance Optimale Light Hydrating Cream). And make sure your make up is non-condomogenic.

Improvements will be seen after one month.

[amy91]

Haven't you thought about taking a Spironolactone? It might be your miracle drug!

[cvd]

Hi Rachel

You may be sensitive to Sodium Laurel Sulfate which is in most shampoos and toothpastes. The face that the Aubrey product helped your scalp line gives a clue...Aubrey products do not have SLS. Most brand name toothpastes have it though so you will want to try avoiding them and using one from the health food store like Tom's or Waleda. Even still you have to check the labels because even health food brand toothpastes can have SLS. SLS is a detergent and very irritating to sensitive skin. It could be that the PH of your skin has changed now that you're older and so now you're sensitive. Hormones change too which can add to the problem. Also you may be suffering from some perioral acne. Avoid all toothpaste with peppermint and flouride. You have to do this for about 2 months but it may do the trick. Then just use a toothpaste like Waleda. There are plenty of other kinds of flavorings and ingredients that can do the same things as peppermint and flouride but without the irritation. In fact they can be good for your skin...like the calendula used in Waleda toothpaste.

Another thing to do is to drink spearmint tea (not peppermint) --- 2 strong cups a day. Studies have shown that spearmint tea blunts androgens which are the precursor to deep acne like you're getting on your chin.

Avoid all dairy (cheese is the worst). Dairy has natural hormones (cows are lactating when milked) that interfere with our hormones and create a cascading effect that can result in deep acne for those prone to it. Drink soy or almond milk instead.

Like you, I only ate healthy but it still didn't clear things up. I love tretinoin cream .1%. It keeps my skin smooth and the pores open. Also I'd avoid any scrubs. Your acne will just flare up with baking soda scrubs. Treat your skin very very gently. This should help it to calm down. Irritation of any kind can make acne worse.

Hope this helps!

[travelzd]

amy91, on 23 October 2011 - 05:40 PM, said:

Haven't you thought about taking a Spironolactone? It might be your miracle drug!

I agree, or if you are against pills I suggest trentinoin cream, and /or a topical antibiotic or duac gel. My derm recommended both and they work really well I have had hormonal acne since my early twenties.. If you want more info on these topicals u can check out one of my blogs ... I don't believe diet causes hormonal acne(tried alll of them),(this is also what doctors, dermatologists and aetheticians have said), although I beleive it makes it a bit worse. so I think a good start, is going to see your family doc, or a dermatologist if you have insurance or can afford it...

[amy91]

travelzd, on 09 December 2011 - 10:07 AM, said:

amy91, on 23 October 2011 - 05:40 PM, said:

Haven't you thought about taking a Spironolactone? It might be your miracle drug!

I agree, or if you are against pills I suggest trentinoin cream, and /or a topical antibiotic or duac gel. My derm recommended both and they work really well I have had hormonal acne since my early twenties.. If you want more info on these topicals u can check out one of my blogs ... I don't believe diet causes hormonal acne(tried alll of them),(this is also what doctors, dermatologists and aetheticians have said), although I beleive it makes it a bit worse. so I think a good start, is going to see your family doc, or a dermatologist if you have insurance or can afford it...

Well, I wouldn't deny the role of the diet in acne forming. Even tho I have no obvious food allergies or intolerances, I'm still very cautous about what I eat. Yeah, maybe diet couldn't entirely clear female hormon related acne.but it's worth a try. Don't expect any skin improvements while eating a crap. Sorry for being so obsessed, but holistic pple made me paranoid about my diet,lol.

Edited by amy91, 09 December 2011 - 04:01 PM.