NGKUR - Talk to me about acne

[ceejay]

I have had mild/moderate acne since I was a teenager and always assumed that it would go away when I got older. Well, now I'm "older" (almost 30) and still have the same mild/moderate acne, and it's gotten worse since getting off BCPs last year. I'm tired of waiting for it to go away with time (since clearly that's not happening).

I currently use a generic Target brand cleanser, toner, and spot treatment. These products seem to prevent my acne from being out of control but don't eliminate the problem... I would really like to have no acne if possible. I'm usually pretty cheap but I'm at the point where I'm willing to spend a little more money if necessary to buy an effective product.

Does anyone else have "adult acne" and what do you do to manage pimples and breakouts? Are there any treatment kits or brands you would recommend? 

Thanks!

[ironbaby]

Acne while TTC is such a mind fuck.

I went to my derm and talked to her about it; basically there aren't a lot of options. Stay away from Retinols at all costs, and even salicylic acids aren't recommended.

She gave me a prescription for a topical cream. I'll have to find the name of it. Other than that, I use a gentle cleanser with a Clairsonic and that's about it. It definitely doesn't eliminate it.

She also told me microdermabrasion was a good option, but that ish is expensive.

ETA: The name of the topical I use is MetroCream. (metronidazole). It basically just keeps it from being awful.

[notagoddess]

I'm glad you posted this. I've had moderate acne since I went off birth control pills at 24, and I'm 30 now. I get the worst breakouts around ovulation, but there's never a time where I'm not getting new pimples. My doctor prescribed me Differin gel, but it's not safe while TTC, so I haven't used it since last summer. I hope to see some suggestions on here.

[notagoddess]

Sept 25, 2015 9:50:15 GMT -5 ironbaby said:

Acne while TTC is such a mind fuck.

I went to my derm and talked to her about it; basically there aren't a lot of options. Stay away from Retinols at all costs, and even salicylic acids aren't recommended.

She gave me a prescription for a topical cream. I'll have to find the name of it. Other than that, I use a gentle cleanser with a Clairsonic and that's about it. It definitely doesn't eliminate it.

She also told me microdermabrasion was a good option, but that ish is expensive.

I thought salicyclic acid was OK? I've been using it as spot treatment.

[pinkcat]

Sept 25, 2015 9:50:15 GMT -5 ironbaby said:

Acne while TTC is such a mind fuck.

I went to my derm and talked to her about it; basically there aren't a lot of options. Stay away from Retinols at all costs, and even salicylic acids aren't recommended.

She gave me a prescription for a topical cream. I'll have to find the name of it. Other than that, I use a gentle cleanser with a Clairsonic and that's about it. It definitely doesn't eliminate it.

She also told me microdermabrasion was a good option, but that ish is expensive.

Are there restrictions to what type of cleansers you can use while TTC? I've never heard this before.

[ironbaby]

notagoddess and pinkcat, now I am not sure where I heard that about salicylic acid, but Google tells me it is actually okay as a topical. Retinols still are definitely not okay.

[ceejay]

Sept 25, 2015 10:00:19 GMT -5 ironbaby said:

notagoddess and pinkcat, now I am not sure where I heard that about salicylic acid, but Google tells me it is actually okay as a topical. Retinols still are definitely not okay.

Why are retinols bad for TTC?

[ironbaby]

Sept 25, 2015 10:03:57 GMT -5 ceejay said:

Sept 25, 2015 10:00:19 GMT -5 ironbaby said:

notagoddess and pinkcat, now I am not sure where I heard that about salicylic acid, but Google tells me it is actually okay as a topical. Retinols still are definitely not okay.

Why are retinols bad for TTC?

They can cause birth defects.

[notagoddess]

Sept 25, 2015 10:03:57 GMT -5 ceejay said:

Sept 25, 2015 10:00:19 GMT -5 ironbaby said:

notagoddess and pinkcat, now I am not sure where I heard that about salicylic acid, but Google tells me it is actually okay as a topical. Retinols still are definitely not okay.

Why are retinols bad for TTC?

My PCP said they are teratogenic - they cause birth defects by disturbing embryonic development.

[pbandj714]

I've been dealing with the same things. I didn't realize how much my BCP was keeping my acne at bay until coming off of it last November. Now I am constantly breaking out. And they're huge, cystic nightmares not only on my face and chin, but also sometimes my neck, back, and shoulders. I haven't found anything that works, so I'm actually seeing a derm for the first time in a couple weeks. I doubt there will be much I can do while TTC, but hopefully she'll help me to control it even a little bit better.

[easilyunamused]

I've been using this for a while and although I can still get one or two small pimples, I noticed a huge difference. And it's not too expensive.


Sorry if the image is huge. I'm mobile

[cocobellaf]

I love Boscia. It helped my cystic acne and regular acne, on and off of BCPs.

[LadyNymeria]

Sept 25, 2015 10:00:19 GMT -5 ironbaby said:

notagoddess and pinkcat, now I am not sure where I heard that about salicylic acid, but Google tells me it is actually okay as a topical. Retinols still are definitely not okay.

Salicylic acid is not recommended for use during pregnancy, but I never heard anything about during TTC. I used the "drink 'til it's pink" thought process for it the month I got my BFP.

Oral use of salicylic acid has been shown to cause birth defects so it has been recommended to avoid topical use when pregnant as well just to be safe.

[ironbaby]

Sept 25, 2015 11:13:09 GMT -5 LadyNymeria said:

Sept 25, 2015 10:00:19 GMT -5 ironbaby said:

notagoddess and pinkcat, now I am not sure where I heard that about salicylic acid, but Google tells me it is actually okay as a topical. Retinols still are definitely not okay.

Salicylic acid is not recommended for use during pregnancy, but I never heard anything about during TTC. I used the "drink 'til it's pink" thought process for it the month I got my BFP.

Oral use of salicylic acid has been shown to cause birth defects so it has been recommended to avoid topical use when pregnant as well just to be safe.

Thanks for clarifying this much more than I was able.

[pismoduo]

So I've always had issues with minor/mild acne (never huge zits, just lots of little ones and my skin was always blotchy and kind of reddish) and I finally started using one of those Proactiv type systems (but not Proactiv itself, cause it was expensive at the time).

I use one called AcneFree. It's a three part system - cleanser, toner, and repair lotion. I still get breakouts on my chin and nose around my period,but it keeps my skin clear day to day and helps with the redness/blotchiness that I used to always get.

You don't have to buy it from them, I've bought it at all sorts of stores - Kroger's, Target, Walmart, etc.

[rungirlrun]

Thanks for the recommendations. I need to try some of these. With my acne, I feel like I'm still a teenager sometimes :-(

And I too agree that there really aren't any restrictions while TTC. If I'm not pregnant, I at least want to have the clearest skin possible so I'll use almost anything!

[onesweetworld]

Sept 25, 2015 9:46:25 GMT -5 ceejay said:

I have had mild/moderate acne since I was a teenager and always assumed that it would go away when I got older. Well, now I'm "older" (almost 30) and still have the same mild/moderate acne, and it's gotten worse since getting off BCPs last year. I'm tired of waiting for it to go away with time (since clearly that's not happening).

I currently use a generic Target brand cleanser, toner, and spot treatment. These products seem to prevent my acne from being out of control but don't eliminate the problem... I would really like to have no acne if possible. I'm usually pretty cheap but I'm at the point where I'm willing to spend a little more money if necessary to buy an effective product.

Does anyone else have "adult acne" and what do you do to manage pimples and breakouts? Are there any treatment kits or brands you would recommend? 

Thanks!

I am very thankful for my clarisonic and clear days ahead by philosophy. 

[mill23]

This is a second hand tale, but my best friend had really bad adult acne and because of her dermatologists recommendation has had a lot of luck treating it with diet changes. She cut out dairy and found it made a huge difference. She still uses some treatments but much less and her skin looks amazing.

[aprilz81]

I've had oily, pimply skin since I was in 5th or 6th grade (I'm almost 35 now). Part of my problems are oil based (but on the bright side I shouldn't get wrinkles until I'm super duper old) but my PCOS really kicks the pimples up into another galaxy when I'm not on birth control.

I've tried just about everything and prescription meds work best for me, but 99% of them aren't safe while TTC or pregnant. Since I'm seeing an RE I haven't bothered to see a dermatologist for a prescription, but the last few weeks It has gotten so bad I'm considering it.

[lilsneezy]

Proactiv is the ONLY thing that works for me. I've been using it for years and ran out a few months ago. I thought I could get away with switching to something cheaper… nope. My face went fucking crazy. I also use Purity Made Simple by Philosophy to take my makeup off at night.

[onesweetworld]

Sept 25, 2015 17:13:52 GMT -5 aprilz81 said:

I've had oily, pimply skin since I was in 5th or 6th grade (I'm almost 35 now). Part of my problems are oil based (but on the bright side I shouldn't get wrinkles until I'm super duper old) but my PCOS really kicks the pimples up into another galaxy when I'm not on birth control.

I've tried just about everything and prescription meds work best for me, but 99% of them aren't safe while TTC or pregnant. Since I'm seeing an RE I haven't bothered to see a dermatologist for a prescription, but the last few weeks It has gotten so bad I'm considering it.

PCOS effects acne? Is there anything it doesn't effect?

[BurritosAtEveryMeal]

I have PCOS and small cystic breakouts. I just started using Bare Minerals facewash and moisturizer and my skin has gotten better over the past few months for sure.

[emilie]

I never had acne on BCP and now I get acne all over my face when I have PMS, and I also get these weird huge zits on my neck and along my jawline during my entire cycle. Super fun! The one thing I've found that really works is the St. Ives apricot scrub - the "blemish control" formula. Maybe it's the combo of the salicyclic acid and the exfoliation but it works somewhat for me.

[aprilz81]

Sept 25, 2015 18:36:48 GMT -5 onesweetworld said:

Sept 25, 2015 17:13:52 GMT -5 aprilz81 said:

I've had oily, pimply skin since I was in 5th or 6th grade (I'm almost 35 now). Part of my problems are oil based (but on the bright side I shouldn't get wrinkles until I'm super duper old) but my PCOS really kicks the pimples up into another galaxy when I'm not on birth control.

I've tried just about everything and prescription meds work best for me, but 99% of them aren't safe while TTC or pregnant. Since I'm seeing an RE I haven't bothered to see a dermatologist for a prescription, but the last few weeks It has gotten so bad I'm considering it.

PCOS effects acne? Is there anything it doesn't effect?

Yes, if you get acne (especially around your jaw line) it can be caused by excess testosterone which is one of the symptoms of PCOS.  PCOSers are also prone to cycstic acne which is super ugly, super painful and take for freakin' ever to heal.

Not all acne means you have PCOS and not all women with PCOS have acne, but it is a common trait/symptom.

[Deleted]

Sept 25, 2015 10:39:01 GMT -5 easilyunamused said:

I've been using this for a while and although I can still get one or two small pimples, I noticed a huge difference. And it's not too expensive.
*snip*

Sorry if the image is huge. I'm mobile

This made me break out in such a rash after the first few times. I had some luck with the Simple products but they stopped working for me after a while.

[Deleted]

Sept 25, 2015 21:17:06 GMT -5 aprilz81 said:

Sept 25, 2015 18:36:48 GMT -5 onesweetworld said:

PCOS effects acne? Is there anything it doesn't effect?

Yes, if you get acne (especially around your jaw line) it can be caused by excess testosterone which is one of the symptoms of PCOS.  PCOSers are also prone to cycstic acne which is super ugly, super painful and take for freakin' ever to heal.

Not all acne means you have PCOS and not all women with PCOS have acne, but it is a common trait/symptom.

Yes, you would be amazed at how many people do not have the typical physical characteristics. My cousin is thin as a rail and always had great skin. She didn't discover she had PCOS until she started TTCing.

[onesweetworld]

Sept 25, 2015 21:17:06 GMT -5 aprilz81 said:

Sept 25, 2015 18:36:48 GMT -5 onesweetworld said:

PCOS effects acne? Is there anything it doesn't effect?

Yes, if you get acne (especially around your jaw line) it can be caused by excess testosterone which is one of the symptoms of PCOS.  PCOSers are also prone to cycstic acne which is super ugly, super painful and take for freakin' ever to heal.

Not all acne means you have PCOS and not all women with PCOS have acne, but it is a common trait/symptom.

I didn't know you had PCOS.

[aprilz81]

Sept 25, 2015 23:23:13 GMT -5 onesweetworld said:

Sept 25, 2015 21:17:06 GMT -5 aprilz81 said:

Yes, if you get acne (especially around your jaw line) it can be caused by excess testosterone which is one of the symptoms of PCOS.  PCOSers are also prone to cycstic acne which is super ugly, super painful and take for freakin' ever to heal.

Not all acne means you have PCOS and not all women with PCOS have acne, but it is a common trait/symptom.

I didn't know you had PCOS.

I had diagnosed myself about 5 years ago (all the physical symptoms were there) but I was not officially diagnosed back in February after my cycle not returning after going off the pill.  I'm fortunate that I'm not insulin resistant, but I have just about every other PCOS issue.

[PepperPottsJ]

My dermatologist prescribed Finacea, although he may take me off of it when I GKU. I believe glycolic acid is ok during pregnancy and he also steered me towards some otc glycolic acid products. I had horrific (like 3 rounds of accutane) cystic acne as a teen and young adult, bcps were almost magic, so it has been quite the struggle!

[LadyNymeria]

**previous BFP/loss referenced**

I bought this (www.belliskincare.com/belli-anti-blemish-facial-wash) when I got my BFP because a pregnancy app I downloaded offered a discount code and the ingredients are pregnancy safe as far as I have been able to research (site claims they are and I never found anything to disagree with that).

I use it very long (didn't want to waste it when I didn't need to avoid salicylic acid anymore) so I don't know how well it would have worked, but the reviews on their website are pretty good.