acne...ugggggg

This happened to me as well, when I was 30, after the birth of my third child. I'd never had acne before even during the teen years, or on/off the pill. I went to a dermatologist, first she tried erytromycin, antibiotic, which worked immediately but gave me a UTI and a vaginal infection to boot. When I went off it, the acne came right back. Then we tried Differen, which pretty much ripped the flesh off my face, WAAAAAAAY too much for me. Then we switched to Retin A, which was slightly less awful, and after a transitional period of about a month, my skin got used to it, and it worked. Since then (I'm 43 now) I no longer care that much about what my face looks like (another story), and still have acne...I understand many of the newer OTC programs actually DO work, but it is a long term commitment that apparently I'm not willing to make. I dab the spots with peroxide everyday after my shower and that's it...hormonal changes, lifestyle, noticed the thinner I am, the more acne I get, the more excersize I get, the more acne I have...I know you can try cutting out certain foods....caffeine, etc., not that you should, but in the summer it's better when I get a lot of sun, also some years I actually went to the tanning booth, and that REALLY helped....

There are two ways to attack this and as frustrated as you are, I think you'll want to try both. First of all, the absorption of nutrition shifts and changes as our body does. I would take an ABSORBABLE multivitamin/mineral complex. Many don't absorb at all. I can recommend one if you like. In addition I take a supplement that is primarily grape seed/grape skin extract which is excellent for body tissue. It has done wonders for my skin. (It is actually marketed as a vascular supplement.)

Next is the topical aspect. My girls, and I on occasion, use an acne system called Zap-it. Like Proactive, it's not a pharmaceutical and worked better for both my girls with different types of skin. It's much cheaper too. It has a high grade tea tree oil in it which is medicinal and also penetrating so it gets to the root of the problem.

Pregnancy and childbirth really do play havoc on the simple things in our lives. It takes a little while to get it back to normal but with a little help, it shouldn't take long. The nutrition from the vitamins will help is so many other ways as well....

M.

I'm with ya! Been suffering on and off from adult acne for two decades. Mine actually got better with pregnancy and nursing, go figure. Then it kicked back in after I stopped nursing.

Anyway, I did a ton of research online about a year ago and based on its excellent reviews, I decided to try NeoStrata Gel Plus (15 AHA). It's $35 for 3.4 ounces and that size bottle lasts for about 5 months (a little goes a long way) so it's totally worth the money. I have never been so pleased with an acne product in my life, and believe me, I've tried them ALL! I now only get the occasional pimple (mostly associated w/ my period) and all the cystic acne has cleared up. Bonus: it diminishes fine lines and smooths the skin. I've had several friends comment on how young my sking looks now!!

If I could do a commercial for this product, I certainly would. I think I started out on one of their lower AHA products first, then moved to the 15. If you read the reviews on line, you'll be able to determine which product that is (I forget now).

Anyway, good luck!!

I'm one of the fortunate few blessed with horrible adult acne. I had 4 cystic nodules on my chin last week in conjunction with my period.

I've been on just about everything from anti-biotics to Retin-A to topical anti-biotics to birth control. I've not tried Proactiv. Mine really needs to be controlled with Rx medications - I don't buy into the Dermatologist who's telling me that I need to go on Accutane.

OTC wise you have 2 main active ingredients in different concentrations. Salicylic acid is common but ill-advised during pregnancy.
Benzoil peroxide (5% and 10%) - OK during pregnancy.

I use PersaGel which is a 10% benzoil peroxide treatment. I try to use it everyday on areas I'm prone to break out. Because mine are cystic, it's a MUCH different kind of acne and not easily controlled OTC.

Chances are, it's hormonally related. Mine most likely is. My complexion was gorgeous when I was going through chemo because the drugs were killing just about everything in my body, and it's gotten back to it's awful self since I've been out of treatment. These days, though embarrassed that I look like a teenager in my 30's, I deal with it.

Good luck!

My skin does the same thing after babies, I think it's just the hormones going crazy. I just started on the Arbonne acne care line and it seems to be helping (I'm 7 months pregnant right now). Hope you're able to find something that works for you and things start improving :)

Zap-It Acne Defense System Pack is great! My step daughter uses it and it is great. It is cheaper than Proactiv. You can purchase it from any Melaleuca distributor. Melaleuca is a licensed pharmaceutical company with an A rating by the Better Business Bureau. If you would like to get it from me, contact me thru my website at www.workathomeunited.com/loism.

The only thing that cleared my face up was going BACK on the pill. I had terrible cystic acne while pregnant with my son. It was not getting better after I had him. But once I went back on the pill at 8 weeks, it was fine almost immediately.