Only around the mouth? Sounds like perioral dermatitis. Cystic suggests sensitivity. Switch out your toothpaste for something all-natural and fluoride free (the all-natural part is important because most toothpastes have things like SLS).

Failing that I would look at other things that might be coming into contact with that area of your skin. Sometimes acne treatments can cause acne to areas of sensitive skin, even if you don't have any acne in that area to begin with.

Thanks for the tip, but I know it's hormonal. My cycles have been messed up for the past few months along with the acne and I've had this problem for years now and it has all been very clearly linked to cycle issues. I used to get pimples like clockwork before period and around time of ovulation. And whenever I've had cystic acne is when I've been off the birth control pill. And when I say "around the mouth" I mean on chin, jawline and upper lip. The typical hormonal acne area. Nothing on forehead or anything like that.

Hi there,

I spend a fair bit on various products but they work so I believe it's worth the cost. I always strive to be healthy like you so hopefully the products will work. I have very sensitive skin.

- I cleanse with jurlique (organic brand) purifying FOAMING face wash

- I tone with Thalgo cocooning tonic lotion

- I moisturise with Jurlique purifying day lotion for oily skin

- at night I cleanse, tone and then use Differin prescriptive cream (it may have a different name depending on your country just google it).

- at night I take 2x Blackmore Hair, Skin & Nails tablets. The formula is unique to most as it has horsetail in it which is the only reason I can think it works compared to others I've tried.

I can't say that all this will work for you but it does for me so I thought I would share in case you wanted to try.

Look into low dose accutane and see how you feel. Also look for a moisturizer with niacinamide.

Hi, I'm Wendy and 32 years old. I've suffered from hormonal acne off and on since 2007. I've read and done everything I could think of for my hormonal acne but with all I've tried, I haven't been able to conquer it. I feel like I've tried everything. I hope you guys can share some wisdom.

I went off the pill (heavy dose) in January after 10 years on different pills. Had many issues with them. Wish I had never started! I had been off the pill once before and got cystic acne so bad I went screaming back to the pill. First few months off it were ok, but for the past 3 months I've been getting a new pimple every other day. Some cystic, some small. And all throughout my cycle, whereas it used to be only ovulation and PMS! I've been eating a mostly wholefoods diet for years now, I drink green smoothies, eat almost zero refined carbs, high quality fats, lots of veggies, I take supplements where needed (to improve known deficiencies, such as iron), a great multi, high quality fish oil, probiotics... And my acne is only getting worse... Only around the mouth btw, which is how I know it's hormonal.

I had my androgens tested and they are not high at all, they're in the low-normal range. My progesterone is low (other hormones in the low-normal range), so I've been on Maca root for months and on Vitex for one month. I drink nettle & licorice root tea every day, take a natural liver support supplement (St. Mary's Thistle) and have tried every anti-acne skincare regimen I could find. Kaching... and no change at all... Not even the antibiotics (Doxycycline) I've been on for a week (because I'm starting to look like my chin is boiling!) are helping.

I don't want to try heavy-duty stuff like Accutane, I want to fix it -mostly- naturally. I feel like my body is telling me to fix something, but my lifestyle is really healthy, I eat right, I exercise, I have tackled every known deficiency, take quality supplements, have a sensible skincare regimen (currently Paula's Choice extra strength CLEAR range) and now I'm completely lost about what else I can do... Any ideas? Sorry for the long story, but just wanted to rule out getting advice that I'm already following.

p.s. I don't think it's diet related, because only my hormones -either my own or synthetic- have affected it. But I've been 100% off gluten and 70% off dairy since June. It does make me feel better, but not a stitch of difference to my acne.

What is my body telling me? I am lost.

I'm thankful for any advice you can give!

A desperate acne-sufferer

For back acne please try systemic enzyme capsules --- it has helped me a lot,. I have been suffering for back acne for the past 30 years having exhausted all cures from roaccutane to ayurvedic. Please read about systemic enzymes and give it atry. Beleive me my acne has come down more than 90 percent and I heve been a chronic case of back acne since age of 18 ... am now 50. Do you research and give it ago on SYSTEMIC ENZYMES CAPSULE . THEY are also available in vegeterian formula and is non hormonal