The source of *MY* Acne, and how I finally learned to control it

I've had moderate to severe acne for YEARS. I just turned 30, and for the past year or so I've been battling severe cystic acne. I've tried so many things to prevent/treat my acne, and nothing except doxycyclin has ever helped. Currently, I take 100 mg doxycyclin 2x a day. It has made a huge difference. I don't know how long I'll take it, but for now, it's great.

More importantly, however, is what has been a main source of my breakouts. For a long time I didn't realize it, but I've finally figured it out through trial and error. For me, the worst culprit - the thing that causes severe, painful, nodules all over my face are MEAT and DAIRY.
I believe it's the hormones in the meat and dairy that is toxic to my system. Why am I so sensitive? I have no idea. I stopped eating meat all together (except some fish - those don't seem to effect my skin in a negative way - in fact, i use fish oil, which i believe helps), but when I was still eating cheese and ice cream, I would *always* break out all over my face. Once I stopped eating all meat and dairy (adopted a strict vegan diet), my skin cleared up almost completely.

Once I did that, I was still using Lush products for my skincare routine, and I was still getting pimples here and there. I tried, just to see what would happen, using only oils to cleanse and moisturize. This cleared up *everything*. I use olive oil to remove makeup, then do a second cleansing with the olive oil and a hot washcloth (you can google this for more details on the Oil Cleansing Method). Then I moisturize with Organic Coconut Oil (this is good for flakiness though.. i'm going to try clinique dramtically moisturing lotion for severe dry skin in winter and hope for the best. Lush vanishing cream is good, but i stopped it for a while when i was still getting pimples here and there. that may not have been causing it though) My skin was healing rapidly and looking amazing, better than it had in years, once I started using oils on my skin (even though my skin is combination/oily).

Recently I had a major breakout because I, in a moment of weakness, had some food with milk in it. I'm kickin gmyself right now for thinking I could get away with it. But when I stay the course, my skin is clear, smooth, and glowing.

I just wanted to post my experiences because maybe others have these problems as well and didn't realize they may be sensitive to what they're eating. For me, toxins in my blood are definitely causing my acne.

I also can't take birth control (makes me feel really MOODY/CRAZY/ANGRY and it never clears up the acne, only makes it worse). My body even rejected the copper IUD. (severe pain and severe acne as well) So, another issue with hormones, and perhaps the copper in my system (?).
Multivitamins are another thing that definitely cause acne (for me) Some people have suggested that it's the b vitamins.

So, for me, it seems acne is my body's way of telling me there's a serious imbalance, too much of some unhealthy toxin in the system.

I don't think makeup has ever broken me out. At least I hope so, because I use a lot of it to cover acne scars. But i've been clear and stayed clear while using the same makeup for awhile, so it's more what I put into my body than what I put on my face, I think.

I'm going to detox and cleanse my system and once my skin is clear, try going off the doxy and see what happens. I'm reluctant to do so, but I can't take it forever (can I?)

Best Oral Antibiotic for Acne?

I'm taking doxycycline, which works really well and has cleared up, I'd say, 98% of my acne. I still have a few spots on my chin. In the past I developed pill esophagitis from the doxycycline, and I'm afraid this will happen again, esp if I up the dosage (i'm taking 100 mg/day but i'd like to increase to 200mg).

How do other antibiotics compare to doxycycline? Is there anything better out there that people have taken long term?

Thanks very much!

Why Is My B-Complex Vit Causing Acne?

I use to take a multivitamin, b complex, and other supplements and vitamins. I got really bad cystic acne all over my face after going on birth control. I don't know if it was the vitamins, BC, or soemthing else entirely, but I stopped taking everything, including vitamins and birth control. I'm now only taking Doxycycline and SAM-e. I feel great since stopping birth control and I really like the SAM-e. It's recommended that you take a good B complex with SAM-e and I'd like to take one anyway. I started taking one (made by Wild Harvest - Shaw's Brand) and less than a week later I got several huge, painful nodules on my chin and around my mouth and cheek. My skin was clear before taking the B complex. I've since stopped again and the spots are healing and I haven't broken out otherwise. I feel like it COULD be something else that caused the acne, but looking back I'm fairly certain that whenever I take B vitamins I suffer a massive breakout. Does anyone else have this problem? Here is what's in the B Complex:
Vitamin C, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folic Acid, B6, B12, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Magnisium, Chromium, Choline, Inositol, PABA, Passion Flower, Skullcap, Valerian Root.
Can anyone recommend a B Complex that has not aggravated their hormones or otherwise acne-prone skin?
Thanks so much
xo

Anyone taking 200mg Doxycycline?

I'm currently taking 100mg of Doxycycline daily. My skin is mostly clear, better than before I was taking it, but I'm still getting nodular acne and minor blemishes on my chin and cheeks. I've only been on it for about 3 weeks. I'd like to increase to 100mg twice a day. Is anyone taking this amount of doxy? Thanks !!!

Has anyone tried a Niacinamide Cream?

Hi, has anyone here tried a niacinamide cream or take this orally for acne and scars? I can only find 2 non-prescription creams online and not many reviews. One product is called Acnessential and it looks promising but the website and cost is a little shady - very pricey and you are forced to buy 2 tubs of this stuff. Any advice on a B3 cream or otherwise? Thanks very much!