I have been taking saw palmetto for a little over a month. I take about 900mg a day and I definitely noticed a difference in terms of how many breakouts i get but I am still just as oily. I have no inflamed spots on my chin or forehead. I have a bump by my right eyebrow and a small bump on my left cheek that feels deep but isnt coming up so it may just go away....but usually at this time of the month I have like three bumps on my forehead and one or two on my chin. So....I think its helping. I am not sure how well it works compared to spiro because I havent tried spiro yet...I am hoping I can just use saw palmetto instead because I do think its starting to help...
I need really super duper thorough exfoliating along with Saw Palmetto orally. I have been eating much better recently, but months before this diet change I had first tried Saw Palmetto with significant results even then.
My acne only got worse as I grew older and I'm now 25-years-old.
I have oily-combo skin that's acne-prone.
I still haven't got a clear understanding of how much Saw Palmetto I need to take, but I currently do not ever take more than 480mg per day. And of course hormones drastically change during PMS, so I think one day I'll need to just get my hormones properly tested by a doctor because I never know how much to take during PMS and during my period. I'm actually not taking any Saw Palmetto at the moment, and my skin's been alright, I suppose. Not that many large cystic pimples, topical vitamin C is wonderful for me.
Once my period ends, I'll be going back on 320 every day at around 6-7pm when I eat dinner, which seems to be the time that works best for me.
As far as topical recommendations and what I found really showed results:
cleansers
Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powder
-(with exfoliating brush)
Origins Deep Pore Cleanser with Saw Palmetto & Mint
-(I'm really interested in trying this soon)
masks/peels
Murad Intensive-C Radiance Peel
-(amaaazing after cleansing/exfoliating)
ORIGINS Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores
-(amaaazing after cleansing/exfoliating, I use it about 3X one week, every 3-4 weeks)
moisturizers
Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion
-(this has been the go-to for almost two years, now)
Acne.org AHA+
-(really great on my face for a time, but stopped being effective; still works great on acne I get on my back)
serum
Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil
-(good on active acne, but just incredible on scars/pigmentation and healing acne)
primer (makeup)
Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++
-(love this stuff to use as a protectant from dirt and sun even when I don't wear makeup)