I'm sorry you're going through this and i know how you feel. Sounds like you've been through a lot hormonally and your skin is just going to need time to work it out. look into seeing a hormone specialist doctor and getting some test done, maybe there are natural supplements that will help. I'm 20, but my mother who is older than you (53) and struggled with acne just finally got hers under control and pretty much gone with saw palmetto. there are many options still, don't lose hope! and feel free to pm me for anything

On 12/6/2016 at 3:30 PM, Frod76 said:

Well how do I even start. I am a 40 year old woman with 4 beautiful children under the age of 5. I am truly blessed but I am sitting here over the last week crying because I feel like a lost kid with acne all over again. I had acne during my teens and used accutane. That was the darkest time of my life. I hoped to never have to revisit it. Now 1 year after the birth of my fourth child, after several years of manageable acne flair ups here and there, my acne has come back full force. My menstrual cycle returned 2 months ago when I stopped breastfeeding. Ever since that time my skin keeps flairing up. I have been going to my facialist twice a week and getting acqua peels with her but I am pretty sure it is hormonal acne mostly on my chin kneck and sides of face jaw line with some acne on cheeks.  

I feel hopeless like nothing will work and have been to a dermatologist who prescribes topical acne medication which just dries out my skin. I go back Thursday but I dont want to go on the pill or spiro because I am afraid it won't work and if I am lucky enough that it does, it will not be permanent solution.  Hoping for some guidance in me solutions that have worked in liar situations and help on how to get out of this depression and face the world and enjoy my beautiful kids. 

Hang in there. Tons of women get super bad acne flare-ups post-baby due to hormonal fluctuations, namely the sudden decrease in estrogen. Since you're not breastfeeding, you could always try a monophasic BCP that's good for acne, like Sprintec. I highly encourage you to try this because hormonal acne is very difficult to treat with topicals/facials. But you could always add in a topical to help speed things along, like Aczone or a retinoid. I'd see a derm for more advice.