Hormonal acne and diet

carly_am

Hi all,

I am looking for some advice regarding hormonal acne. This is something that I suffer from, that cannot be treated using normal topical medicines. Antibiotics help but I have now built up an immunity to the antibiotics used to treat acne so these no longer work for me either. I am currently taking a contraceptive pill that is also used to treat hormonal acne and have been taking this for around 4 months with no improvement. This pill is known as Dianette in the UK.

I am interested to hear if anyone had used dietary changes to help with hormonal acne, particularly this who have omitted dairy or soy from their diets. At this point in time this is the only thing I haven't tried.

A bit about me as well with regards to my lifestyle that people may mention about usual causes or contributors to acne:

1) I drink at least 2l water per day
2) I exercise regularly
3) I watch my sugar consumption an RARELY eat 'junk' food. In fact the only real processed foods I eat are cheese and quorn products
4) I am vegetarian
5) I drink alcohol about once a week. Usually around 1 bottle of wine. I quite drinking in January and have seen NO improvement inmy skin.
6) my skin is incredibly dry. I wash it using a gentle cleanser once a day. I remove all my make up every night. I don't use any harsh products at all on my skin. I exfoliate once a week and use a face mask once a week.
7) I take a multivitamin and mineral supplement every day. It includes zinc.

I am 24 years old and have suffered from acne since I was 13.

I am at a total loss an would love to hear if there is anyone on mfp that has had similar issues and found anything that works.

Many thanks,
Carly

ElliieMental

I really feel your pain as I suffer from spots, even though I'm now into my 30s.

I've been on dianette too, plus all the antibiotics going, topical cream kind of helps but it really dries me out.

I will probably get slated for suggesting this but moderate use of sunbeds really helps my skin. Have you tried this?

vieve1213

I was the same way until I tried Proactiv. I noticed a pretty significant improvement after about a month. I still get the odd pimple here and there, but nothing even close to what it used to be.

Also, remember that after you exercise to rinse your face with water. After I started working out again I started noticing little bumps on my forehead. Once I started splashing water on my face right after a workout, I stopped getting them.

Good luck!

4mydogs

My dermatologist put me on spironolactone, it is a low level blood pressure drug, but it also helps about 50% of women with hormonal acne. I also use retin A about three times a week. It has helped me trmendously. NO more cystic acne and a few flare ups of a pimple every two to three months.

now_or_never13

I had to take Accutane to take care of my acne. It made it a thousand times better.

Try adding more water and healthy fats (both are great if you have dry skin). Take an Omega 3 suppliment (there are vegetarian options out there if you don't want the fish oil on... flax is one option). I have noticed that Omega suppliments help my skin. Do you wash your face after working out? I notice when I don't my acne gets worse. I also can't workout with makeup on or it makes my acne worse. Ensure you are properly and regularly washing any makeup tools you use (brushes, sponges, etc) .. wash your hands before and after putting on make up if you apply anything with your fingers. Keep your hands off your face and ensure you use antibacterial wipes regularly on your keyboard, phone, etc. You want to minimize any bacterial you are adding to your face.

carly_am

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply. I will take these suggestions to the dr and see what she says. I'm just so fed up

My friend recommended accutain but I have a history of depression so don't want to risk it. I do feel like the only things I haven't tried are diet adjustments (aside for the mostly clean eating) so I guess I wanted to see if anyone had experienced a link between diet and hormonal acne, rather than just stopping junk food and then seeing an improvement.

Thanks everyone

Jaulen

I used Proactive, and stopped once it stopped working for me.

Have also been on various BC pills to try to control it.

Also took pills and prescription cremes back when I was in gradeschool (6th grade) my skin sloughed off like a snake shedding.


What's working for me right now, other than the occassional pimple here or there (I have given up thinking I will ever have perfect pore-free porcelian skin) is: I only wash my face once a day. Usually in the morning, and I use a VERY thin layer of non-comowhatever moisturizer. (I use Oil of Olay products).

I get greasy at TOM, but I no longer break out like I used to.

(had NO skin issue while pregnant, but after that, ugh)