I still get acne

It's SO annoying! I have never had bad skin, but since I was a teenager, I always have like one or two zits around ovulation and again before my period starts. It's really annoying.

Am I alone in my adult pimple issue? Does anyone else still get the stray pimple??

Hear Hear!

I switched pills from norvil to Ortho-tri-cyclen to help with acne. It did help a lot but that's when I started getting side effects and my sex drive started going downhill.

Ever since I got off them, my acne's come back with a vengeance. Not only do I get the normal pimples/zits, I get deep under the skin cysts that never come to a head - bad enough that I was put on antibiotics for it. I can't take them while pregnant though so here I am with at least 3 of those huge things. they hurt like anything!

I mostly get the acne on my forehead, my chin, and all over my back. I've tried a dozen different brands of acne soaps/creams/etc and nothing really works.

Has anybody tried pro-active solution? Some people swear by it, but I have never used it.

I have never had fantastic skin but when I came off the pill it was terrible!!! I still break out now, normally about a week before my period is due. I found a big difference when I started using a daily exfoliating wash but I was still breaking out, just not as bad. Last month I switched face washes (still an exfoliating one) to one that contains witch hazel and so far so good. I didn't break out before my period, not even a little bit! I just hope it contimues to work!!!!

I don't have acne problems really -- did as a teenager though! And into my 20s but most of that went away in my 30s.

Quitting BC last year did cause a few flareups but by modifying my skin care regime, it brought it under control again.

AM
Water wash in the shower. St. Ives Apricot Scrub (exfoliating) for Sensitive Skin. Toner. Mouisturize. Makeup.

PM:
Wash with face cleanser. Witch hazel. Gotta be careful though because it dries my skin. Tea tree oil (got that from Angel!) on any blemishes. Is is not effective on bumps though. Also drying, so you have to be careful. Moisturize.

Sometimes I use a peel-off mask for exfoliating. Lately my skin has seemed dull and I can't figure out how to perk it up. Also, since quitting BC I have some patches of discoloration that drive me crazy!

Thanks for the tips Beth I'll have to try your regime to see if it keeps me clear.

My skin isn't horrible, but I do feel so annoyed when I see other girls my age, and they haven't got one blemish ever! My DH is so funny, he always has like one teeny spot on his face, and he has the same complaint as me.... isn't puberty OVER?? :lol:

Hehe!!! I remember thinking that when I got to my twenties and carried on getting spots, I thought they would clear when I finished puberty and I would suddenly have lovely skin!

I have noticed that the witch hazel is drying my skin out, I keep putting more moisteriser on and my skin looks so much better than it did before I started using this new face wash!

Ya, over drying your skin can actually cause your skin to produce more oil on your face, and cause more break outs.

Exfoliation and moisturizing go hand in hand.

I noticed something very recently about my skin. It had been very dull looking and rough feeling. I chalked it up to screwed up hormones because I had a terrible 48-day cycle and I've been pumping my body full of synthetic hormone/fertility drugs for months now. Well when AF finally came (with help of still more synthetic hormone drugs), I started taking EPO (evening primrose oil) gelcaps again (helps counter-act the drying effect the drugs have). And my skin got smoother and softer again. I don't think it was a co-incidence.

I was going to stop taking the EPO because it was upsetting my stomach (and I'm not taking drugs this cycle), but maybe I'll just take one daily (instead of 3) or every other day to see if it keeps my skin nice. If you're TTC though, don't take it once you're past O-date.

I have only just seen this about the EPO. Yes Beth, it is very good for your skin! When I first came off the pill I took EPO all the time for my skin untill I read that you are only supposed to take it upto O. The problem for me is that my skin is always much worse during the 2WW, clears up pretty much as soon as AF starts!

I used to have awful spots,as I have got older my skin has gotten better,This is not to say that I don't have the odd Alien land on my cheek or nose.it's much rarer than before granted but I used to be so slef concious that I would always raise my eyebrows to try and disguise the bumpy surface of my forhead.I know thats sounds weird but it did work to some extent.I think my hormones have just settled a bit now and I do eat a much more balanced diet compared to before where I ate sanwiches,fries,chocolate bars and soda.