Acne worse while losing weight?

Oh my gosh I have the same issue and it's driving me insane. Never had much acne as a teen but my skin is AWFUL lately. I'm dairy free and eating much better (as in, cut the greasy fast foods and that kind of stuff but still eat sometimes freezer meals, etc.). It's been terrible.

Changing your diet may have affected your hormones which in turn has triggered the acne.

I had an Indian cream which I initially got in packs to keep sandflies at bay when i worked in the Middle East but it was also great for helping a few friends who had bad acne, it's called vicco it's basically a Turmeric ointment, it's available fairly cheap online. https://www.amazon.com/Vicco-Turmeric-Cream-30g/product-reviews/B000HLH79E

Yes! I am almost 40 and have more acne now than as a teenager

everher wrote: »

apullum wrote: »

fitdaisygrrl wrote: »

This might sound totally dumb, but are you working out more and therefore sweating more

I was going to say this. I work out more now, and if I don't wash right after a workout, my skin will break out almost immediately.

This. I wash my face immediately after working out. I've also found that using acne washes was making it worse. I wash my hands after working out (to clean them off any dirt and/or sweat) and then wash my face with plain water and pat it dry.

Skin has been completely clear since I started doing that.

Preach. Acne washes are definitely counter-productive for me.

I don't have bad acne but am prone to break outs (yes, even at almost 55) if I don't change my pillow cases frequently enough, if I wash my skin with anything too harsh (read r/skincareaddiction for some pointers, though I use the oil cleansing method and use very emollient oils), and if I don't moisturize (I use just argan oil for this).

I noticed around 30lbs lost that my hormonal, cystic acne returned with a vengeance! I think it might have to do with such a drastic change in diet and my body re-balancing itself. Definitely hormones for my cystic acne - ZERO OTC acne remedies (tea tree oil, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide) work. And I know refined sugar is my regular acne trigger as a packet of Skittles will bring 1-2 whiteheads to surface within 24 hrs.

I've been seeing a dermatologist since March and was not having any success with the creams and lotions she was prescribing, so I finally asked her to give me a prescription for spironolactone. It's not for everyone and I've only been on it for 10 days, but only had 1 new hormonal pimple (1 non-hormonal) since then and they are quicker-healing than cysts pre-spiro (1-2 days instead of 1-3 weeks).

Amandrew412 wrote: »

I was on spiro a few years ago since I've have hormone triggered acne as well, unrelated to weight loss. Anything you notice after 10 days is probably in your head since it takes a good couple months to take effect. After 3 months for me, I stopped getting break outs ALL TOGETHER. That is until I got pregnant shortly after and had to stop taking it. I've thought about going back on it, but since I still get the occasional breakout now (especially leading up to TOM) I realize it's not a forever fix.

It's not in my head, lol. I usually get 2-3 new cysts per week. Only 1 new cyst in 10 days since February isn't a coincidence.

Edit: I will add, I did my research and am fully aware there could be a purge in my future that could make things as bad if not worse. In the meantime I will relish my relatively-clear skin.

How's your acne looking? I just started changing my diet and exercising 2 weeks ago, I am breaking out a lot more. I have a bit of acne anyways, but I have noticed it getting worse.

If you're finding the breakouts to occur around your chin/mouth area it's most likely hormonal acne. I've been dealing with acne since I was 10 thanks to some genetics from my dads side. I did two cycles of acutane and my skin has made a 180 but I still get hormonal breakouts around my chin/mouth/upper lip area. I take 100mg of sprinolactone and it's been doing what I want. I've found that the typical prescription topical creams and antibiotics just don't work for my acne. I'm also on BC which helps a bit with the hormonal changes in my skin. I can't say I have experienced excessive breakouts since losing weight (down 26lbs) but I can share some tips that might help. Always wash your face after you workout or are sweating heavily to avoid clogged pores. But make sure you're not over cleansing your face. Over cleansing can lead to dry skin which can actually cause more breakouts due to the irritation. I typically wash my face at night to "wash the day off" and either use only water or a very minimal amount of cleanser after a workout. Tea tree oil worked for a second for me but my skin adapts so quickly to anything acne treatment related so I find it doesn't do much anymore. Are you familiar with the Mario Badescu brand? They have this thing called "drying lotion" for acne. It's pink and comes in a glass or plastic bottle. I use that as spot treatments. The brand origins always makes a spot treatment with salicylic acid that has worked for me in the past as well. I tend to avoid dairy products if I can because that causes acne for me (same with high amounts of sugar). Have you had any changes in products you use on your skin (makeup, skin care products, etc)? If so, you could be reacting badly to something new. I do think you'd benefit from a dermatologist appointment! There are SO many treatments for acne and a dermatologist would be able to get a good look at your skin and your history to determine what might work for you.

Meant: Omega 3 Supplements

fitdaisygrrl wrote: »

This might sound totally dumb, but are you working out more and therefore sweating more - and with that, what's your body and facewashing regimen? I totally recommend tea tree oil based face washes- I've been breaking out more too and that helped immensely.

I was thinking the same. I also noticed so much more acne on my face when changing my eating habits but later thought I should also keep washing my face the same way i do at night and morning after a workout and it seem like that work. However, if the OP doesn't workout often then it might be the diary after all.

I’ve lost 10% of my body weight in 2months, and my hormonal acne has become severe (only around my mouth). I read many articles and reports for women that it happens because fat in women stores estrogen, so fat loss can cause this imbalance as you shed the estrogen, It’s a real bummer and terrible side effect.

Thanks for resurrecting this thread—I’ve recently cleaned up my diet (more fruits and veg, even less dairy than previously limited amount, very little added sugar—basically only what’s in my almond milk coffee creamer and salad dressing), and very little non fruit/veg/beans carbs (so basically no bread/chips/cereal except for the occasional serving of original Fiber One). Lost 5lbs, yay.

So I thought I would see amazing glowing skin—or at least normal skin. Nope, giant breakouts all over, esp around mouth/lips/jaw that I never get. Never. It’s gross. But makes sense with the estrogen release from fat, if that’s the culprit—I have low estrogen, so this increased amount is probably like a girl hitting puberty for my body 😩