Hormonal Acne

[VitalityKeys]

Hey all! 

I'm 23 and have had acne since I was 12. I've tried ALL OTC drugstore products, salicylic acid just dries my face, and I hate benzyl peroxide for ruining all my pillowcases (not that it worked, either). I've tried Epiduo gel, 5 different oral antibiotics, and then got Adapalene 0.3%. While it worked alright, my acne is hormonal and I think just stopped being effective at keeping breakouts minimal. I have tried Curology, but my provider never took my request seriously and I was on a tretinoin 0.009% and she refused to up the dose two months in even though my breakouts just got worse. And that was going from right Adapalene to Curology, so its unlikely I was purging. Saw my dermatologist yesterday, and she only gave me two options: Accutane, or Aldactone. I want to stay off a pill long term and I'm just not ready for Accunate... yet. 

My dermatologist prescribed me Tretinoin 0.05%. I was hoping people had some personal experience with clearing their hormonal acne? At least keeping it at bay. I'll take one or two new blemishes every cycle, but right now I average about 15-20 new blemishes a DAY for the week leading up to my period. No bueno. 

I think I may need to switch dermatologists, so I'll also be getting a second opinion at another practice next month. I'd like to keep treatment topical, and would be fine doing more than one treatment (an antibiotic and a retinoid, for example) but this derm just said those were my options and recommended Accutane. No acne treatments are covered by my insurance (but anti-aging is?!) which is why tretinoin was the one thing she wrote me. I'm not against pay out of pocket for prescriptions so long as they work for me. 

What are your experiences? Products you feel keep hormonal breakouts at bay? I've been eyeing The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10% suspension to use with the tretinoin when I get it. Does it sound like a good call? I'm also using CLEARstem serum (not on Sephora) which claims to help regulate hormones so we'll see how that works too. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

In relation to hormonal acne, I’ve heard the Murad skin supplement is a Godsend for some so you may want to look into it. (I’ve not used it but on my endless search for a great skincare regimen it’s something I’ve come across.) I also agree with another’s reply and think a good vitamin c serum would be great for overall skin health with continued use. Hope you find a solution!!

[KristenPri]

First off, I took Accutane for my cystic acne when I was in high school ~15 years ago---beware that it has some crazy side effects (depression is a BIG one).

Also let me play future-you for a second haha. So after Accutane, my derm put me on the pill, and I was on it for about 15 years and it was BEAUTIFUL. Yes, it's an added artificial hormone which isn't great for your body in the long run, however my skin was clear AND my monster periods were down to a 1-day experience that I barely even felt. You have to toggle with your OBGYN to make sure you find the right one for you.

That being said, I went off the pill 6 months ago just because I"m getting older and was worried about the risks. At first it was fine, my period came back and it wasn't nearly what I remembered before going on the pill (thank God) but it wasn't exactly a walk in the park either.

But as of this month I am learning alllll about something called post-pill acne. IT"S THE WORST. Basically, even though the pill was the right choice for me at the time, I'm learning that it was really just a 15 year band-aid since it doesn't actually fix the hormone imbalance. POOP!

So now I live by a few rules: 1, always always stick to a regular skincare routine, especially before bed. 2, eat lots of probiotics or take probiotic pills (majority of hormones are regulated in your gut!). And 3, chug water like your life depends on it.

So in closing, if you go on the pill, when you're ready to come off it one day, make sure to have a treatment plan IN PLACE before stopping the pill. I hope this helps a little, believe me I sympathize SO MUCH. 

[Anonymous]

Try going on a plant based, vegan diet. If that's too much, at the very least, cut out all dairy products from your diet for a month and see what happens. I switched from an omnivore diet to a 80/90% vegan diet and my hormonal acne cleared significantly in 3 weeks. Dairy has a TON of hormones in it so taking it out of my diet completely changed my skin. I've been on Accutane TWICE in the last 10 years and it is not a fun road. You have to register for the pregnancy prevention website, be on two forms of birth control, which means more hormones, monthly blood draws to make sure your liver is still working, monthly pregnancy tests. Not to mention the side effects, I felt depressed, started self mutilating after a bad breakup while on the stuff. In hindsight I wish someone would have suggested trying a vegan diet first before putting myself through that. My acne came back both times after taking Accutane, so even if you go through one course of Accutane it may not completely cure it forever. Hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

Skin INC Vitamin C Serum, with a simple cleanser and toner regimen paired with plain old low estrogen birth control worked great for me.

[VitalityKeys]

I was looking to add a vitamin C serum to my lineup, thanks for the tip! I have an IUD, hormonal pills gave me terrible migraines. 😞