Acne Flare Ups After Having Kids

Hi M. - I am 42 and STILL have a little acne on the chin. Nothing has helped, although I use a cleanser with salyclic acid in it (2%) which really helps with diligent use.

Over the years I have tried various prescriptions, including differin, but they will not work as it is hormonal. My best solution was to be on the pill - however, now that I'm done having children with tubes tied and I'm old (haha!), I wouldn't consider taking the pill just for acne...

I work for a dermatologist, and…I also have issues with acne. Nothing really bad, but to the point that it is irritating – especially in my late 30s. I have three kidos and yes, my skin too was clear while pregnant. I have tried Differin as well to no avail. The latest product on the market that I have tried is Epiduo gel and it is really working. Ask your derm for samples! It contains two ingredients – a mix of the typical benzoyl peroxide base and Differin. Seems to be doing the trick here.

Hi M. H, I can only imagine how you must feel. I've had acne my whole adult life and have been on many different medications incl Differin and Ortho-tricyclin (birthcontrol). The pill did help my acne, but as soon as I got off it, it became worse.
My advice may not work for you. But before I landed on what helped me, I had researched extensively.

Here is what helped me. I basically concluded similar to what you've noticed - it must be hormonal. So I need to help my body have the right hormonal balance through diet.
I make sure i drink plenty of water (6 glasses, addt'l one per coffee cup - I love coffee), and have regular bowel movement, which means you have to keep your diet very strictly full of fiber, veggies, fruit. I also started working out and watch my sleep. I had been taking the following suppliments: zinc, B complex formula , gammaa e complex. I do not take these now, but was for the first 3 years after the pill.
It took me about 6-9 months to notice changes. I do not know if the combination of the above or one particular thing helped. I stil have some blackheads, but I got rid of the inflamed pimples that I always used to have on my face, at least one at all times. I also use Origins lotion. I also noticed correlation as my bowel movement not as consistent and blackheads seem to get worse. Good luck to you. Oksana V

Being on the pill has helped me over the years, and several other women I know, better than antibiotics and other treatments. Some pills help acne and some don't, so if yours does not help, ask your doctor to switch to one that is recognized as helping with acne (Ortho Tricylen or Ortho Cyclen) and NOT the "low dose" versions of any pill, they can make acne worse.

I also had the same problem with acne after my second child was born. My doctor also prescribed a gel for me that seems to be working now but I also use biore face wash with that prescription. They have a line of products that you can use daily to wash your face and helps with adult acne. There is a face wash (make sure it says acne on it), there is an astrigent that I use after the face wash and they also have a moisturizer. It has worked wonders for me since I have been using them along with the prsecription. I usually get them from WalMart. They are about $5 each. Good Luck

I would love to have you try Daisy Blue Naturals Normal/Oily Skin care line. Our Normal Oily line contains Tea tree oil and other natural ingredients that will combat the oil and bacteria to help it heal giving you healthy skin again. We have a 60-day satisfaction guarantee so you can't go wrong. I've had some great successes with my clients on it. The products are made just down in Albert Lea by a Mom!! Check out my website at www.3040.daisybluenaturals.com.

I can feel your pain!!! Acne is the worst! I have never had good skin either, but literally the second I had my son my face broke out so bad (the worst it's ever been) and remained that way while I nursed him for almost 11 months. I finally went to see a Dermatologist and she prescribed 2 topical medications: Azalex and Clindamycin. I have had GREAT success with them both, I recommend talking with a doctor about them. Also, as others have said I've had better luck with cleansers that contain Salicylic Acid as the active ingredient. I'm currently using the Arbonne Acne products and have been pretty pleased with them. The kit is pretty expensive but has lasted me about 4+ months.
Good luck!

Birth control pills will help, they keep your hormones balanced, they helped for me. In the meantime, just wash your face twice a day and use benzoyl peroxide on spots at night. But don't use more than 1 acne medication at once, it may cause redness, itching and irritation.

I, too, have had so many issues with my skin. My solution is super cheap - African Black Soap. I started carrying it because I was so sold on it for my own skin. I can't use my glycerin soap on my face because it makes me break out, too rich! http://www.soapourri.com/shop/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=...
Here is the link if you are interested. One bar will last forever. I also use Cetaphil for moisturizing.

Hi M.! I have acne breakouts at my time of the month now but before I had a really awful time. My suggestion to you is get a skin care system and use it regularly, at least 2 times a day. Make sure to moisturize, yes I know, you think its going to make you break out more. It shouldn't if its the right formula. You need moisture in your skin, but not too much. I found a skin care that I really like, its called L'Bri. In fact I loved it so much I decided to become a consultant. The main ingredient is aloe, which helps heal and adds moisture to your skin without being too heavy. All of the ingredients in L'Bri are natural and paraben free. Make sure to check the ingredient list before using any skin care products, you should stay away from paraben and mineral oil.
I hope that helps.

I have been struggling with this same problem for 10 years now. I even tried proactiv for about 2. When I called to cancel, they had me try a different version... both made my skin a million times worse.

Three weeks ago I got a free sample from Sally Beauty supply. It is called Beyond Belief Skil Renewal. I saw the three little bottles, and assumed it was a rip off of proactiv... but I decided to try it anyways. It is not the same, and my skin has not looked this great in SO long :)

I think my wrinkles are even less noticable, but I am not sure if that is just me feeling more confident LOL.
The cleanser has 1% salycic acid, and does not have any kind of scrubby stuff in it. Then the toner has Alpha Hydroxy Acid. Then the lotion has 1% salycic acid.

It has only been three weeks of using it, so I am waiting to see what happens during my period... But so far i think it is the greatest thing ever :)

Like the other responders - I am right there, too, and my daughter is now 8! It's gotten worse over the last few years. For a while, it was bad enough that I went on Accutane - which did wonders, but when I went off of it, back to acne which has continued to worsen.

I also haven't had success with Differin, though that is always the first thing any new doctor wants to prescribe. :) I will have to ask about that new prescription that was mentioned.

I'll continue watching your responses to see if someone else has a magic bullet. For now, know that you are not alone!

M. H

From: D. L

Date: Thur. Aug 27, 2009

Hi M.

I would like to recommend the Aloe Vera for a thorough detoxing and the Aloe Vera Gelly for the acne.

Pl. check website www.foreverlivingproducts.com or www.foreverliving.com

Pl. remember to email me at ____@____.com and let me know the results. Thank u

Hi M.,

Sorry to hear about this! I don't have acne but when I was pregnant with my second child, I would get horrible pimples in different areas of my face. They were big and hurt. I have been shopping for years from a health and wellness company and bought their acne products. And they worked awesome. My daughter is going through something now and is using it also. And it is starting to work. My husband doesn't have the greatest skin either and since he has been using this line, it has helped tremendously. I would love to share this line of products with you. If you decided to try them and they don't work, you can return them within 2 months and get your money back. So at least you wouldn't be out any money for trying. I would also suggest getting rid of all the harsh chemicals in your house since that could be part of the problem also. Let me know if you would like to hear more about this company and their products. I would love to share. Good luck!

I, too, feel your pain! My acne has just gotten worse, especially in the past 3 years, since my youngest stopped nursing. My advice is to avoid anything with benzoyl peroxide, as I believe products containing that are geared toward adolescent acne and extremely drying, which is totally different than what we are experiencing. Try an antibacterial cleanser or w/ salacylic acid and an oil free moisturizer. Ask your doctor about tetracycline, which is actually a form of antibiotic. I really had success with that. Finally, I have been using the Murad line, which is available at murad.com. It took about 6 weeks and my face is finally clear, although I do have lingering scarring, which I hope will fade. I ordered it off of an infomercial and got it for about $35 per month, plus shipping. Good luck! I know it's so frustrating to have adult acne!

Hi M.,

Unfortunately, I have no offers of solution but I'm there too! My skin has never been great, but same as you, it was better when I was preg and nursing. Now it's AWFUL, and my kids stopped nursing over a year ago. My neck and back are even bad, and I NEVER had that trouble before! So, I'll be watching for responses, but know I'm there with you!

-K.

Hi, M.! My situation is similar to yours, except that my skin doesn't get better with pregnancy and nursing! It's just been bad most of the time! So I feel your pain:) Anyway, I've starting using Arbonne's acne line, which also has a supplement that helps clear your skin. Mine is finally starting to clear up, and I'm hopeful that it's going to help get rid of all my awful scarring as well. The whole system retails for only $64.50, and you can probably get it for at least 20% off. Many of the products will last for well over a month.

The only thing is that it is medicated, so you shouldn't use it when pregnant. Let me know if you'd like more info, and good luck!

N.