I just wanted to share my experience. I get random outbreaks on my forehead throughout the year, not always linked to my cycle. I know certain food and weather conditions have a detrimental effect on the health of my skin. But recently I had the worst breakout on my forehead ever. I literally had more big red pimples and whiteheads than I had skin left between my hairline and eyebrows. I felt so gross, I almost missed work because I was so embarrassed. In desperation I just cut my bangs and had a really good cry, or a few. I bought cleanser to balance skins pH. I drank more water, used cinnamon and lemon on the sores, all to no avail. I came to the realization that not only was I ignoring the fact I'm sensitive to dairy, sugar and carbohydrates in general, but I was overdoing it with Vitiman supplementation. I thought I was doing my body good. But through desperate research, I quickly linked my vitiman b6&b12 to the extent of my breakout. With timing and gaining knowledge of the cyanocobalamin of which the b12 was made (man made and somewhat actually toxic to the liver) I figured that made my breakout even worse as it purged through my skin. So I halted all my supplementation, and through past experience with the ketogenic diet (high fat, moderate protein, low carb- http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/keto.htm ) in which my skin cleared up and actually became supple, I again decided to enter this state. It's only been 2 days in ketosis ( not to be mistaken for ketoacidoses) and my forehead is drastically better, my acne is literally disappearing before my eyes and I've already had a compliment about my skin looking healthy. I'm not advocating this way of eating, it's not for everyone but personally I feel amazing. And I'm so glad that I gave it another go because my acne was really depressing me. Everyone has different triggers, I'm not saying this is for just anyone, but I spent a month being miserable and my spirits were shot and this brought me right up out of my funk. So if you know you have issues regarding food sensitivities, please give this a little research. Even just figuring out your triggers and avoiding them will do wonders without going to extremes. I understand how bad acne can hurt self esteem so I really hope I could help. For motivation, I attached a picture of my forehead yesterday, and today to show how fast it's healing.
I eat leafy greens, some peppers and onions, bacon, steak, lots of eggs and mayonnaise, chicken and turkey and lots of butter and coconut oil. There are more options but these are a few I enjoy. I keep my carbs under 20g a day as I have yet to experiment with what limit will kick me out of ketosis.
And this is my forehead today, it's basically just red flaky marks left. No active pimples.
I also eat some dark chocolate as well.
Dairy products mostly contributed to my cheek and lower facial acne, as I've done some experimenting before. Not all dairy though. I keep in the higher fat dairy. Basically avoid low fat as it usually contains a lot of sugar. For example, instead of milk for my coffee, I use whipping cream. Cheese I eat extremely sparingly but I also go for higher fat content. Cream cheese is okay too so long as you don't go for the less fat. Just don't be scared of fat. Where fat is missing, sugar is added to make up for the taste. And it's the carbs I've linked to my forehead. Even cherries have made me breakout there a few times, which does suck because they're my favourite fruit. But I'm definitely more than satisfied with how I eat.
But as for the cheek acne, I have gotten cystic acne there and it has literally always followed a large consumption of dairy. Perhaps you have the same issue? You'll need to experiment as well, the only acne product I use just to remove makeup are the oxy clarifying pads- the hydra light formula, but then I immediately rinse off with lukewarm water. Every product over dries my skin which makes it worse.
But another update, this is my forehead today! 🙂
And vitiman a should help, just make sure you look at the ingredients and go for a natural supplement! It's scary what things man will make health supplements with just to save a penny.
I'm so glad I could reach out! Honestly that's the only reason I even made an account on here. I had already found my own remedy and felt such relief. And because I understand how acne can make someone feel. It was so frustrating trying products that were supposed to help and ended up drying out my skin more even though it was labeled for sensitive dry skin. Sometimes it's better to just work from the inside-out. last tip, lots of fresh water will just make things even better! I wish you the best of luck.