Acne worse while losing weight?

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 😩

A majority of acne is hormonal.

Your hormones probably changed as a result of weight loss or diet changes.

Btw, I sympathize with you. I had 5 cycles of Accutane, lasers, the birth control pill for years, antibiotics for years, and every topical you can imagine. Accutane and the pill are the only things that worked but they messed me up in other ways and only worked as long as I was on them. I couldnt take them forever. I still have lingering side effects years later. I also spent thousands of dollars on lasers, peels, and other treatments not covered by insurance. None worked.