Acne at 26!!

Sounds like its hormones.Talk to a doctor.One thing I did use when I was getting acne in high school was aloe vera capsals from Watkins.They cleared up 95% of my acne and I wasnt embrassed about it.Try that..good luck
S. B

S. J,

I also didn't have acne when I was a teenager. I started having acne in my thirties. I tried just about everything and it never worked. Later the acne spread to my upper cheeks and across my nose. I went to a Dermatologist and found out that I had Rosecea. The doctor gave me a prescription for Metrogel and that took care of it. The gel is better than the cream. Hope this helps.

C. K

I would still go to the doc's. They can prescribe you a really good topical cream (better than OTC stuff) that can help. Just tell them you are planning on having a baby soon.

Are you on any chemical birth control? That set my chin on on fire! I had horrible acne teh whole time I was on the patch and tehn it got better when I switched B/C, then during pregnancy(29 y.o.) I got acne really bad on my chin and back. The chin is supposedly the "hormone" area in certain natural practices(ayurveda, etc.) I took milk thistle(safe to take while pregnant and even helps with nausea) and did body cleansing things to try to clear up my liver. Unfortunately not much helped. Before I was pregnant I did go to the dermatologist, but she prescribed antibiotics and a diuretic.
I don't know what else to say, but just bear with it and after your hormones settle down, it should settle down as well, mine did. Now folks comment on my beautiful skin! Switching to mineral powder foundation seemed to lessen the irritation when I wanted to hide the redness.

S..
You might re-evaluate your eating habits as that can add to the likliness of acne being worse or better. Hormones obviously. Here is a site I found for natural acne medicines.
http://www.natural-acne-treatments-reviews.com/acne-preve...
I hope this helps.
Good luck!
W. from Indiana

I glanced through some of the other responses (does anybody work anymore:)- I'm a teacher so I'm off right now!). Anyway, I see a lot of people mentioned the hormone thing, which was my first thought. One more thing: check your shampoo ingredients and look for sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates. If any of them have that, don't use it for a while to see if your face clears up. Some people are extremely sensitive to this product, and it is used in MOST shampoos whether expensive or inexpensive. My skin esthetician says that ammonium lauryl/laureth sulfates are ok and that is what a lot of the Suave shampoos use. I've also found a shampoo I love at Walgreen's. It's called Fat Hair (by SAMY) and it has no sulfates at all, and is completely vegan.
Let me know if this helps!
J.

I never had acne until my 30s! No more though. I use only natural products. Harmony Farms sells lavendar face wash and moisterizer, the tea trea blemish treatment, and the evening primrose that I take to ensure no hormonal breakouts. My skin is crystal clear with natural products. Good luck - it took me a long time to try this combination!

S.,

I work at a dermatologists office. Breakouts on the chin are normally due to hormonal changes. Did you recently stop your birth control in order to get preggers? This may be the cause. Once you conceive, you should see changes again. I would not recommend starting any medicines at this time. You do not want to cause any problems for your pregnancy.

I recommend gentle cleanser (no scrubbing), no self-extractions and a non-irritating concealer. It is best to just ride this out. It will get better.

Hi, I also suffer from adult acne, for me it is a condition with my ovaries that causes my hormones to be all out of wack giving me acne, its no fun, I've actually suffered with this since I was 16 years old. I have found 2 products that work amazing for me, one is with the wellness company I shop with so its naturally based and works amazing because it has Tea tree oil in it which is a fabulous product. I have also used Proactive in the past but it became very expensive on a monthly basis, so I'm happy with my Tea Tree products!

I would also suggest keeping an eye on your hormones with your OBGYN, it may be something hormonal. When I was Prego my acne would always go away because my hormones would be normal or better.
Now I'm on a natural supplement that has black cohosh and billberry and other natural ingredients that mimic female hormones and it seems to be helping quite a bit along with my facial cleansers...
I'd be happy to tall you more about the company I shop with, I don't want to advertise it here because I don't want to get into trouble :)

Bye for now

E.

Clinique has an awesome line of acne products. The very best ( which kicks proactives butt) is the 3-step ACNE SOLUTIONS. It is very gentle and destroys the bacteria that causes breakouts. They sell a starter kit that has the foaming cleanser, clarifying toner with mattifying powder in it ( so shake it well, because it settles), and the skin clearing moisturizer. They are just smaller than the normal sizes, and it only costs $32.50. Best part, if you use it for at least 2-3 weeks, which is how long it takes for your skin to get adjusted to a NEW skincare regimen, and it doesn't work, or even if you just don't lke it, you can return it for a FULL REFUND!!!!! So there is no harm in at least trying it! And it's safe to use during pregnancy! Wow, you would think I worked for Clinique, BUT I SWEAR I DON'T!!!!

S., if I were you I would go to the Dr, here's why. My daughter had the same type of thing and she's only 5. It bothered me cuz I couldn't get it to go away. We kept it clean, tried to make sure she kept her hands off her face, bought expensive cleaners, etc. The cleaners seemed to make it better, but it never went away. So I took her to the dr and asked him to please give her something, she was begining to scratch the area and that made it worse. He gave her Altabax(he gave me free samples). It is a topical ointment and you use a tiny tiny bit. The stuff was gone in 4 days. I still only use water to clean a messy face, and she will still use a cleanser in the tub (no soap and water), but we have not had an other break outs.

good luck

S.,
My heart goes out to you! It sounds like you're putting a lot of stuff on your face. With each new trial, are you giving a minimum of a week before going on to a different product? What about makeup? You may be allergic or just using it to cover up will only irritate the skin. That's only a topical solution. The acne could be stemming from something else, like diet. It's terrific that you're drinking plenty of water. Keep it up! What about food? Try staying away from candy, fried, greasy and salty foods. Some people have told me that chocolate makes them break out. We all put stuff into our bodies that don't agree with us. Acne is sometimes the body's way to excrete toxins. If you suspect this is the culprit, you should get out and exercise. By sweating you open up those clogged pores. The only other cause I can think of is stress. Take a good look at every aspect of your life. If you can't solve it yourself, then you should see a dermatologist. I hope this helps!

start by visiting this web site www.abriggs.myarbonne.com
all are natural and free of animal products then read up on the acne products to see if this is something you can use while pregant.

Hey S.,
I had similiar problems until I discovered it was hormonal. Usually, if it's below the mouth, it's a hormonal issue. What helped me the most was an Arbonne product called Prolief and Arbonne's Intelligence Line of Skin Care. The Prolief helped the skin and my PMS problems significantly. It's a natural form of progesterone, derived from soy and very safe. My OB-GYN even recommends it. The Intelligence Skin Care Line is basic, pure skin care for skin that can be too sensitive to alot of other products. Sometimes, artificial fragrances and harsh strippers can aggravate an already existing acne problem. I happen to be a representative for Arbonne and I'd love to tell you more about it, whether you choose to purchase from me or someone else. My e-mail is ____@____.com if you'd like more information.
J. Roberts-Davis

Go see a dermatologist. You then can decide if you want medicine they prescribe. Tell them of your intent to get pregnant again.

Don't sweat it. I still have breakouts, and let's just say I'm wwaaaayyy older than you. My breakouts are because I have rosacea. I just use dermablend makeup when I have a breakout in the areas, and I'm fine. dermablend doesn't fix anything, but it does cover well.

Mary Kay has some really great products for acne...they have worked GREAT for us!

chin acne can actually indicate an allergy. the most common is soy. a lot of woman start eating a lot of soy products as adults, because we know how good it is for us, but a surprising number of us are allergic. not just soy milk, but also tofu, tempe and soy cheese. garden burgers or boca brand frozen foods all contain large amounts of the soy protein that causes allergies.

Hi-
I had a similar problem when my first child was about 7 months old- went from beautifully clear skin to horrible pimples everywhere! I even went to the dermatologist and was prescribed cream that didn't work.

I had a lot of luck with the acne products from Melaleuca (http://www.melaleuca.com)--my aunt is a little obsessed with this company. That said the active ingredient is tea tree oil, which you can buy from whole foods.

All natural!

Ask your regular Dr. about a cream called Differin. It is not expensive and one tube will last you a long time. I am just not sure if you can use it while you are pregnant. It works great.

Somebody I know found out that her acne was worsened by sugar and other things in her diet. She was "allergic" to these things (like getting hives or having difficulty breathing), but she was reacting to certain foods by getting acne. She had some sort of expensive blood test which showed foods she was sensitive to, but you might be able to keep a food diary and see if certain things you eat make the acne worse, and then eliminate those foods to see if it clears up.

I had the same problem. I also had some other strange things that were going on with me but I won't go into detail. Turns out I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. My ovaries are kind of whacked out causing my hormones to go crazy anyhow I started taking YAZ which is a birth control pill and I feel great and my skin looks better then it has in 10 years. You won't want to tak BC pills since you are going to try to conceive but it is worth asking your doctor about PCOS. I have found my diet can effect my skin. If I eat alot of carbs or sugar my skin starts to go crazy.

i would say call your pcp and ask who they recommend for a derm. call the office and tell them exactly what you said here its making you nuts but your going to try for another baby so you want something safe to use. if they can help with that have them scedual an appointment if they cant just wait until after you have the next baby then talk to the doctor.

I had the same problem and it started when I started having children. I use Biore warming acne scrub and it works really well, but when I was pregnant, nothing worked. Its probably just something you'll have to deal with until after you have your baby and your hormones go back to normal. Also, I know breastmilk works on baby acne. Its a little weird, but it could work.

Is it from the phone? Do you talk on the phone a lot, letting it rub on your chin? If so, try wiping your phone with rubbing alcohol or something like a baby wipe everyday. I have found that washing my face with plain old Cetaphil twice a day works really well too. If nothing helps, at least go talk to a Dermatologist. I am sure there are meds a pregnant woman can take, or a cream they can prescribe that won't harm a fetus. Good luck.

I found out, with me, that my face broke out terribly when I used ANYTHING with alcohol in it (make up remover, base anything) and if I got certain hairsprays on my face (I think it was rave??) As for getting rid of it I tried the toothpaste, dried soap. But what worked best was Soap and water and leave my hands off. I had a habit of laying my face on my hand (still do). Well oils breaks out the skin. So I still break out when I do that over and over.
Hope this helped some. Good luck. I know pimple and acne is a pain.

V. (SAHM of Two)
www.CraftLister.com/ValerieAltman
"The Candle Maker"

You could actually have a bacterial infection. I would go to the dermatologist first then try for the baby. If it is bacterial it will only get worse.

Hi S.

I have used several products myself. Being a Mom of 4 and 44 yrs old and having acne is really rough. I have used True Pore-Fection from Avon and have been very pleased with my face for the first time in years my face is not greasy. I sell avon but have never really tried the products. I am very happy I did. Safe for everyone.

Good luck

J.

From my understanding pimples around your mouth and chin are from hormones not dirt so it's a matter of lessening the swelling and redness by using topical soothing ointments. Pimples around your nose, cheecks, forehead etc are from dirt and a lot easier to take care of. You may want to go see a dermatologist to geta prescription for yours.Good Luck

Hi S.,
I also suffer from adult acne which flares up at the worst times! I have tried everything, and the only thing that really helped at all was taking birth control pills. Unfortunately, I can't take BC anymore due the photosensitivity it causes- instead of pimples, I get discoloration and sun poisoning!
I have found that putting Tea Tree Oil on the pimples as soon as I feel one coming on helps a lot. It has a strong smell, but helps clear them up. The I have found two things that work that are all-natural and you can make right in your home. First, I made a scrub of olive oil and white sugar. Mix about a tablespoon of sugar with just enough olive oil to make a paste and then apply to your face with a circular motion (but not too hard!). Wash off with warm water and dry. Then cut a tomato in half and rub on your face. Let it sit for about 10 minutes and then wash off. Tomato works as an astringent and pore reducer, and helps brighten your complexion. I do this twice a week and have noticed a big improvement. The best part is that it is safe for when you get pregnant! I hope this helps!

I started to get acne when I was 12 and it continued to get worse and worse and I am pretty sure that I tried EVERYTHING that I could buy over the counter, on TV (proactive), and through the dermatologist. I finally tried accutane when I was 23 and it was a miracle for me. You obviously cannot use that now because it is extremely dangerous to take while pregnant, but once you are finished having children, I would recommend looking into it if you are still having problems. Good luck!

I go to the dermatologist for adult acne. There are a few things that are topical that you can take while you are pregnant. There are better antibiotics but those are not safe while trying to conceive or once you are pregnant. Sometimes, skin problems will clear up with pregnancy. If the problem persists and you decide not to go now, I would recommend going to the dermatologist after you have the second baby. Good Luck!

Hey S., I'm a pharmacist and work from home with Arbonne. I've seen a lot of success with two of my skin care lines; both safe for pregnancy. Clear Advantage has salicylic acid (I see you've tried this type of product) and the Intelligence Line that will bring your skin into balance. The Intelligence line has an incredible mask called Intelligence Exfoliating Masque with Thermal Fusion. It works great! You can spot treat too. Take a look at teresabennett.myarbonne.com. Glad to help! p.s. I'm a SAHM too and I have two precious gifts from the Lord who have grown to teenagers overnight!

Well I'm 32 and it's been worse for me in the last few years than it ever was when I was a teenager. I've done all kinds of research on the internet and what I found for me that worked was using Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser and Dry Skin Cream. But at night after washing with it I've been using witch hazel and in the mornings using hydrogen peroxide (be careful don't get on hair)on cotton balls to deep clean. In the mornings I've just used the peroxide and put the moisturizer on, not the cleanser too. If your like me with dry, sensitive skin all the over the counter products just dried it out worse and in turn your skin produces more oil to compensate and then you get acne worse. Hope this works for you, I thought I would never find a solution.

I agree. Go see a dermatologist. They deal with women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant all the time. After you have your next baby, then you need to get on the serious medication. I had adult acne and nothing worked except for Accutane. It was a 5 month treatment but it worked great! Beside a pimple or two right before my period, I haven't had a real breakout in 12 years. Talk to the doctor about it. For now, keep your face clean but do not overwash. And, people with acne automatically assume they don't need lotion on their face but you do. Use Lubiderm lotion after you wash and use salicydic acid. I know its terrible right now, but there are a million options...you just need to find the right one for you. Good luck!

Weird you should write that. I did the exact same thing: no break out in high school, but in my 20's and 30's I broke out. After I had all of my children I went to a a dermatologist and got some tetracycline but you don't want to take that if you are considering pregnancy because it will turn your babies teeth SUPER dark if you were to get pregnant while on them. I noticed that my break outs were worse around period time. I did everything that I could do also and what worked fairly well for me was mix sea salt and water and dab it with a cotton ball several times a day and letting it dry on there, but of course that is hard to do if you work and have to wear make up all day long. The salt is drying. Then I washed my face 3 or 4 times a day.
Also, I would lay in the tanning bed to cover up the red on my back, face, and shoulders. THat helped dry also.
I don't want to tell you this and I am sure this is not your problem but after I divorced, my skin became so pretty and clear. It was like I was a new woman all the way around. I am wondering now if it wasn't nerves. I had in law problems and was married to the devil who had devil parents (it ran in the family I guess). My face and back and shoulders have been free of acne since, up until my new husband's mom began doing one of the same things as my former mother in law did, which has to do with the old daughter in law. Then to make it worse, my current husband's sister and her family are really ugly to me. (my husband dated a dr before me and I have no education what so ever and they have let it be known that even though I make him so wonderfully happy, I am a disappointment.... I guess because I am not a doctor) My new mother in law has started bringing out pic of the x wife and her kids by the previous marriage (not my current husband's kid.... these kids are not blood kin to my mother in law at all), and she talks about her like they keep in touch often and is part of the family. I am waiting for her to bring her into the family reunion or something! My current MIL seems to think about her when we are around for some reason because she always brings her up. (Like I really care to hear all of this.) Anyway, all of that makes me nervous since I have already been married to one man that his family had pre chosen for him. So all of that is nerve racking because I know how families can turn a perfectly good marriage into your worst night mare. So at age 47 I am beginning to break out again believe it or not. I do believe it is nerves.
Not saying that you have any problems but take a closer look and see if there is some stress that you can aliviate that might help.
Sometimes too, I think that hormones from having babies just takes years and years to settle down and become normal again. Good luck. Been there... I feel your frustration.

Hi S.,
Well, this may sound dumb, but for me, every time I got pregnant, my skin changed. With my first child it got very oily and stayed that way for years afterwards. Then when I was pregnant with my second child, it got very dry and flaky and stayed that way for years afterwards. After 4 kids now it's pretty much even, but what I'm saying is that hormones are probably affecting your skin. Instead of just treating the skin, you might try taking some natural or even prescription hormone remedies to balance you out. Also you'd be amazed how your eating habits will affect your hormones AND skin.
M.

Do not scrub your chin with a wash cloth. I read recently that only makes things worse by causing microtears in the skin. Wash gently, don't rub, with your hands.

Pay attention to anything you do that might affect your chin. I doubt it, but just make sure you don't rest your chin in your hands, rub your chin into your husband's back or pjs in bed at night, get hairspray on it, etc. Change out your pillow covers frequently.

People are probably right when they say it is hormones, allergies, or toxins - I just wanted to make sure you didn't miss something simple that might be causing it also.

Some people say that acne reflects what is going on inside our bodies. If so, then you might want to eat more fresh raw fruits & veggies. Some people also swear by colonics to get the toxins out.

Good luck.