Hi, I have the exact same issue, a couple of cysts, whiteheads and a lot of small bumps on my chin and cheeks. Is depressing being in our 30's and dealing with this. What have you tried in the past?

I have the same problem! I'm 29 next month, and have been suffering with acne since I can remember!

I was on Accutane about five years ago, and that made an enormous difference, my skin looked beautiful. But after I stopped the treatment it has continued to worsen, and now I'm back to normal. I'm using OCM at the moment, just once a day, and using Sudocrem on any spots that are flaking.

What do you both use?

It's been suggested to me before that spots on and around the chin can be due to alcohol. Do you think there is much truth in that?

Hello all,

Wanted to share something that might help. I am a 29 year old female with acne that has persisted since adolescence. I have tried EVERYTHING. I have taken accutane 3x and while it works short term, after about 2 years my acne returns. I have used every cream and lotion possible with no effects. As I look in the mirror today, I know I have finally found my solution. My skin is clear except for the dark marks from old spots that are finally starting to fade. I can't say this will work for everyone as I believe every persons acne and treatment are slightly different, but maybe it will help some. For the past 3 weeks I have taken 2tbs of freshly ground flax seed mixed with 1tsp of maca powder in a glass of hot water every morning about 30min before I eat. I am not sure if it matters what time of day, but it is what's convenient for me. Flax is loaded with healthy omega 3s, which are great for skin and maca is a superfood that helps regulate hormones. It can be bought at most health food stores ( I get mine bulk at bulk barn). Hope this helps someone the way it has helped me. After years of expensive and invasive treatments, I finally found something that works.

Ps, I also use gentle cleansers and moisturizers. Live clean moisturizing wash and hemp oil to moisturize.

Good luck

I am 33 years old and I have the same issue.... I tried so many cream but nothing can help it...

Hi i am new to this sight so hope am posting in the right part lol!

I seen this topic and thought it was interesting as i can relate to you all.

I am 26 female from the uk and have been on a pill called dienette for about 10years i went on it when i was 15 to clear up my acne it all went after about 1year

my skin was sooo clear i never even thought about it (so lucky)

however i have reached a time in my life where I have to come off this pill and 7months in my hormones are all over the shop and had a big break out again

started on my back a few months ago and also my face. now i dont really think of my back all the time as its coved and it is doing great at the min and clearing up well on its own ...

my face on the other hand is a different story and i have been back and forth to my doctor trying to get a cream or anything that can help however i am also diabetic so can take many of the tablets such as antbiotics etc.

However i have been given a zineryt solution for my face that contains antibiotics and zinc i have only used it since thursday i apply twice aday and its driving me mad because .....Is it working yes! i think well my husband and my mam say it is but i think different ...eg yes the big red horrible spots are starting to clear yeyyyy!

however i keep seeing me reflection in say my phone car mirro etc and i can se 100ssssss of little tinny pimples/spots all over my cheeks head chin everywhere ... then i can turn and face the light a differnt way and o they have gone again ..

now my family think i am being over the top and nit picking but its really getting me down and i am not sure weather i should keep using this treament ...my mam seems to think it is drawing my spots out and then clearng them up and it does say the treatment can take 12weeks so this could be the case but my fear is am messing about and making the whole thing worse.

Any ways just after any advice do any of you find that the lighting plays a big part in how your skin looks? I could up load two photos to show you the diffence ?

anyways any info would be great and if i can help with any of you then great i have tried lots of treatments so might be able to help someone! I feel your pain just because we are adults we have to just get on with it but i dosnt make it any easier i feel like am a teenager again! mood swings the lot haha

many thanks

Just an update to my original post. I have continued to take the 2 tbs freshly ground flax with 1-2 tsp of maca root powder together every morning and my skin is completely clear now. Even all of the old marks have cleared. It has NEVER looked this good, not even after the 3 rounds of accutane I have used. I cannot believe after all of these years and expensive and invasive treatments, that the solution was so simple for me.

I don't know if this would work for everyone, but I would encourage you to try it as its a cost effective, non-invasive solution that is good for your body! No harm is trying

Good luck all

wow that seems really good i might have to give it a try thank you. do you just take it with water? do you know how it works?

thanks x

Hello, I am 27 yo female that has been struggling with acne since puberty. I tried all of those drug store over the counter creams and washes and nothing would work. I recently began using Dark Angels cleanser and Breath of Fresh Air Toner water from LUSH cosmetics and it has been seriously clearing up my acne! I think my problem was my skin wasn't naturally shedding the dead skin cells and so they would clog up my pores and cause acne. The harsh chemicals SA and BP didn't help unclog my pores so I was still getting giant cystic pimples. The Dark Angels cleanser is a scrub that contains charcoal which sucks out impurities. After I use it my skin is so soft and it feels like it can finally BREATH. Please it is worth giving this a try. I have been calling it my miracle cure.

Hi ladies,

I know not all products are suited for everyone, but I highly suggests trying Eminence Organic Skin Care. These products are amazing and unfortunately not many folks know about them...! Do a quick google search and read up on the line of products and of course their reviews. Also, many people don't know that your gut flora can contribute to your acne; in the form of bacteria or fungal (a over production of yeast). I suggest reading up on this and invest in a good, quality (human strain) probiotic... most are cow derived (a lot of people don't realize that!) and many folks agree that dairy and acne have a correlation. I use Thorne (which is the brand name) Flora Mend probiotic. You can order it on www.vitacost.com and other various websites to find the best price for you.

I've learned that being consistent is key in fighting any battle; mentally or physically.

<3

I'm not sure how much difference dietary changes can make for those of us who suffer acne into adulthood but there are plenty of articles talking about vitamin/mineral supplementation and a healthy diet and plenty of water certainly can't hurt.

We have a new topical product here in New Zealand called epiology which is interesting. It uses the same proteins that protect our eyes from bacteria to protect the skin.

It is said that acne around the chin is hormonal. I would get some here as well. I take 8000IU of Vit D3 daily and use 2% SA, 10% AHA and retinol on a rotating basis and my skin has finally cleared. Also, Vit D3 helps regulate hormones. I used to take flaxseed oil, but be aware that it can have an estrogen effect in your body and if your hormones are not greatly out of balance, then you may end up with excess estrogen. I cannot eat soy now for the same reason since taking Vit D3 or I get cysts.

I would definitely make sure all your products are pH appropriately for the skin. Using too high pH (which most products are I have found!) will destroy your moisture barrier making you more susceptible to bacteria. I know Cerave foaming face cleanser is close to skin pH. Also, once you keep the pH correct, topical products will work much better (assuming they, too, are correct for their effectiveness).

Internally, in addition to what has already been mentioned, you can try kefir--I find it in my local Walmart in the milk section.

Hello, I am 27 yo female that has been struggling with acne since puberty. I tried all of those drug store over the counter creams and washes and nothing would work. I recently began using Dark Angels cleanser and Breath of Fresh Air Toner water from LUSH cosmetics and it has been seriously clearing up my acne! I think my problem was my skin wasn't naturally shedding the dead skin cells and so they would clog up my pores and cause acne. The harsh chemicals SA and BP didn't help unclog my pores so I was still getting giant cystic pimples. The Dark Angels cleanser is a scrub that contains charcoal which sucks out impurities. After I use it my skin is so soft and it feels like it can finally BREATH. Please it is worth giving this a try. I have been calling it my miracle cure.

I think that is my problem as well--my skin doesn't shed itself like it should. I was always getting plugs, even after cysts went away, they never completely healed until a little plug came out. I used SA for quite a while and it did work some but not as much as I would like. I even used Paula's and it worked better, cleaning out my pores, but I still got spots. Then I started making sure everything I used was pH correct to the skin. I changed my face wash and moisturizer to Cerave and then my SA started working really well! Even better than the first time. I think the high pH of the facial wash interfered with the lower pH of the SA making it less effective.

I haven't tried the LUSH, but have used the Freeman charcoal sugar scrub and I like it. It hasn't broke me out at least! lol It gets really great reviews online and is pretty inexpensive.

Glad you found products that work! I know how exciting (and a relief) it is to finally make some progress.

 

I am a 43 year old women. I have had mild to moderate acne all of my life. I have been on numerous acne antibiotics, including Accutane twice with no real results. Recently, I have noticed my acne getting even worse to the point I'm so depressed I have called in sick to work just to save myself the embarrassment of going out in public. I have tried every product on the market for acne as far as skin care, and recently Proactiv, again with no real results. I am taking an assortment of supplements at the moment again....nothing. I have been to 6 different dermatologists and have had no help. I am getting desperate!! Does anyone know anything that has worked for them? OR is there anyone who can offer some kind of advice at all?

So sorry this. just sucks!

Have u considered spiro for hormonal acneI

know people taking a low dose (50mg) and it has been helping

I am post tane (4mnths) and my skin care routine now is very gentle

BUT prior to considering acne the ebst regiment for me was BP and retin-a at night

I dont know how your skin tolerates BP but i would use it all over in the am to prevent breakouts

Sorry I couldnt be more helpful!gl

k

im

Hello, girls I feel your pain. I first started with acne shortly after I started my periods - age 9. I was tall for my age and wore glasses and got something else that made me stand out! Anyway, between then and about 6 months ago, I tried EVERYTHING. Herbal remedies, creams, antibiotics, dietary changes, the pill an Roaccutane (which was great while I was taking it but my acne returned about six weeks after stopping it). My acne has been that bad, that when I was at College in 2004, I ended up being admitted to hospital as my eye was so swollen and I had such bad boils on my face, they were worried it might be shingles and I might lose my sight. I don't think it was shingles, as the sores were all over my face and shingles follow a nerve path so should be asymmetrical.

Anyway, I was at the point of almost going on Roaccutane again as my Dermatologist felt a lower dose over a longer period might help when I decided to do one last trawl of the Internet which I had done so many times before - surely there must've been some developments in the last 20 years?!?!

i stumbled across a forum where a girl had posted her story and the similarities were uncanny - acne since she was young, nothing would work etc and she said she had tried a treatment which had finally cured it. It wasn't licenced for dermatologist use, as it is primarily for heart failure, but one of its side effects was that it lowers the levels of androgens. Having been convinced for years I had a hormonal problem but constantly being fobbed off with the "one size fits all" contraceptive pill, it really got me hopeful that it might work for me. But this girl was in the USA and I'm in the UK so wasn't sure I'd be able to get it. Anyway, next dermo appointment I asked to try it. The Dr didn't think it would work but agreed I could try it before going back to Roaccutane. So I did. The first three weeks were disappointing so I doubled the dose as he said I could and then BAM! It was like someone had turned the tap off in my skin. The greasiness went. My skin felt smooth and "normal" for the first time in nearly 30 years!!
I hope this post might help someone else just like her post helped me. It's called spironolactone. It worked for me and it may well work for you too. My skin isn't perfect - I have flaky skin at times (not seb derm as first thought) and I still suffer with redness as my skin is highly sensitive but this is easily hidden with makeup so not a problem really. It would be worth asking about if you've tried everything else. Good luck and I hope you all find a way to much clearer skin x

Can I suggest buying a product from Sephora called 'EradiKate' by Kate Somerville. It's $24.This was recommended to me by one of the assistants in store and it has been an absolutegame changer. It contains alcohol and sulphur which both fight the bacteria within the pimple and dry the pimple out. It's a spot treatment rather than a product to use all over the face, so use it sparingly. It comes in a little glass bottle. You can get the whole skin care set for $55 which consists of a daily cleanser (can't remember the name), exfoliator (ExfoliKate), the little miracle that is Eradikate and an oil-free moisturiser.

Without exaggerating, I will cover each pimple with this product, go to sleep, wake up and in the morning they will either be at a head or they will have reduced in size and redness by at least 80%. I *used* to have terrible hormonal acne and I thought nothing could be done about it because there is no external factor causing it. After a couple of weeks using it, although I have a few red patches here and there from previous break outs, my face feels pretty smooth when I run my fingers over my jawline/cheeks. It feels nice not feeling lumps and bumps on my skin.The ingredients have a horrible smell but once you get past that, it's plain sailing.

Give it a try, read reviews online first and you'll see they're all between 4.5 - 5 * ratings from hundreds of women in the same position as you. Best of luck in your endeavour!