Cystic Acne - Advice?

[Lady_Di]

i think i definitely have hormonal acne...

 

Too many things in this thread to try out...I don't know which one to start with! Haha..

 

babiexox, that sounds REALLY painful! I don't know if i want that.

 

i am trying to see if drinking coffee causes breakouts...i have been drinking more coffee lately and maybe that is why? i will scale back on coffee, maybe drink it every other day and see what happens.

 

if everything fails, I'll go to my derm. I think i need a new derm because he prescribed stuff that didn't work and they dried my skin up!

 

i was not having them until recently so i am trying to figure out if it's something in my diet or drinking...i don't drink anything than water. i drink about 2 cups of coffee a day but before that i was drinking a cup of coffee a day.

 

i am going to wash my makeup off before working out since that may clog my pores while working out.

 

this type of acne is such a self esteem killer!!!

[michelle6114]

Hi Jamie.

Have you been to a dermatoligist? There is only so much topical skin care can do with cystic acne. It sounds like you may need an anti-biotic to reduce flare-ups. I have been on them for years. If you have insurance, they should be covered. I started with Doxycyclne and am now on Solydn, and am starting Accutane in a week.

I definitely noticed a huge improvement with antibiotics, but have been on them since a teenager, which is why I am giving accutane a try.

Also, the only face cleaner I use (and feel like my face is actually clean) is clean and clear foaming face wash in the pink tinted bottle.

Sorry if this is TMI, I just feel your pain though. Good luck!

[vlynnw]

I never had acne or any breakout problems until halfway through my first year of college, go figure! Mine is definitely hormonal and I couldn't stand it because as soon as I would finally start to clear up I would break out again. I can't say I had anything horrible it was always just a couple or so around my chin and my cheeks, but still very annoying and bothersome. Almost 2 months ago now I started using Obagi Clenziderm, and I can honestly say I haven't had a breakout since! Now considering that my mother is an herbalist and I am getting a master's in acupuncture I wasn't really keen on trying this because my skin is super sensitive! The first few days I used it I had a horrible red itchy rash that then cleared and has stayed that way since. I don't use the third step everyday but I still use my own moisturizer which is a natural cream called Honey Bee.

 

If you haven't found anything that has worked for you, I would give this stuff a try.

[NyBeachBride]

trust me it worked...and now i get breakouts but i use the cream and i guess my skin is used to it so it doesnt burn nemore....and the breakouts go away and dry ot quick, if i used it everydya i wouldnt have anythign but i only use it when i get a breakout....i only have a couple of samples so i have to go back to get more

[blumenthale]

I went on Nuvo ring for BC and it cleared up my zits. And, if one does pop up, it is usually one of those deep under the skin ones, and I get a cortisone shot at my Derm. It's a really tiny dose, I asked about "make you crazy" side affects and the MD said larger doses can do that. What about acutane? It's supposed to be awesome but you have to really manage it, like get blood tests and stuff while you are on it. I have a friend you took it she had horrible acne and now you'd never know.

[JaziandSwag]

BCP always help with acne

[lavenderlux]

I second what JaziandSwag said - Birth Control medication have seemed to have always helped me. There are various brands out there to try.. Alesse, Yasmyn...

[lavenderlux]

I also use Proactive as part of my morning routine and every day I drink at least 2-3L of water. I keep a Brita filter pitcher by my desk at work and make sure I am always hydrated.

[lmdavis]

There is this skin care line for acne by BeautiControl. It is the ONLY thing that works for me!
 

Originally Posted by JaimeLynne 

I have cystic acne - the kind that grows underneath your skin and HURTS. I read that it can be caused by hormonal imbalances or dirt on the skin. I have a skin care routine that I follow religiously (although I've only been on this particular one for about 3 weeks now)-

AM:
-Boscia Oil Free Cleanser
-Witch Hazel Toner
-Boscia Willow Bark Breakout Treatment
-Kinerase Clear Skin Moisture Light (If I'm staying indoors) OR Boscia Oil Free Moisturizer w/SPF if going outdoors

- Makeup: Bare Minerals

PM:
-Boscia Oil Free Cleanser
-Witch Hazel Toner
-Boscia Willow Bark Breakout Treatment
-SkinMedica Retinol Complex (Every other night or so)
-Kinerase Clear Skin Moisture Light

-And Kinerase Clear Skin Regulating Mask 1x/week or so.

I've tried sooo many different brands over the years (I never really had acne until I went off of birth control pills for 6 months - then it hit with a vengeance). I had to use ProActiv for a year or two which really helped but then I was able to get off of that. Recently I've really been into "Natural" or "Organic" products - trying to use those as much as possible. I tried Dr. Alkaitis products but they completely broke me out (which the rep said was unusual). I tried the Clairisonic Skin Care brush but then was told that it wasn't right for me since I have acne and it can spread the infection. I would really love to go on SoPhyto (a completely organic skin care line) but we're on a fairly tight budget saving for the wedding so I don't wanna go there yet.

I'm happy with the routine I have now because it's a compromise to me - not organic, but mostly natural ingredients (except for the retinol complex) and at a decent price.

I have been on Armour Thyroid for about a month now and I get hot flashes and things like that so I wonder if that could be aggravating the condition? It's pretty bad - like just as the first round starts to clear up 2 or 3 new ones have already started to appear. I also take Vit. C w/zinc & magnesium, Vit. D, Fish oil, B12, Drenamin (a natural Adrenal Compound) as prescribed by the holistic doctor I am seeing for various conditions.

I know I probably need to clean my makeup brushes more often an stay away from touching them (as tempting as that is!! )...

I drink a lot of water every day. I guess I'm wondering if there's anything else that I should be doing or that I could do health/nutrition wise to help.

Any estheticians out there? I recently had a facial and the lady told me to use all oil-free products, which I do. So what is up?? Do you think it's hormonal?? Anything I can add into the mix (like 1 product max) without having to completely redo my line-up (like a good exfoliator maybe since I had to give up the Clairisonic)?

These things hurt and I'm tired of them

I'll also contact my doc and see if he thinks hormones could be playing a role and see if there's any natural product that he would recommend...

TIA!
~ Jaime