My skin is a mess - hormonal acne

[Anonymous]

I also second the hydrocolloidal patches from Amazon

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get acne when I eat too much sugar, specifically too much chocolate (because I really don't eat that much sugar apart from chocolate).

Do you have a food trigger?

It's hormonal acne - no diet changes will get rid of it. As someone who suffers from hormonal acne and has tried everything, including elimination diets, it's very annoying to get "suggestions" like this or have people think I must eat poorly therefore I have acne.

No need to be rude. Not sure why you take such offense at PP’s comment but not at the one suggesting eliminating dairy. PP - I think your suggestion was good. If not for OP, then for others reading. Experts tell me again and again that eating chocolate will not lead to more acne. It does for me. And I expect diet does lead to acne in many others.

[Anonymous]

DIfferin keeps hormonal neck acne at bay.

[Anonymous]

Another one here with chocolate-induced hormonal acne (and I know it is hormonal because it is the jawline and chin cystic stuff). And I don't think it is the sugar, because the breakouts also occur if I have high quality/low sugar dark chocolate. Very, very sad, because chocolate is one of my great joys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another one here with chocolate-induced hormonal acne (and I know it is hormonal because it is the jawline and chin cystic stuff). And I don't think it is the sugar, because the breakouts also occur if I have high quality/low sugar dark chocolate. Very, very sad, because chocolate is one of my great joys.

Whaaaat?? I think that women crave chocolate during certain times of the month but that doesn’t mean it causes acne?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Spironolactone.

Agree, spiro works! Can cause birth defects so make sure you have good birth control while using.

Any side effects while taking this drug? How do you feel on this drug? When do you stop taking it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another one here with chocolate-induced hormonal acne (and I know it is hormonal because it is the jawline and chin cystic stuff). And I don't think it is the sugar, because the breakouts also occur if I have high quality/low sugar dark chocolate. Very, very sad, because chocolate is one of my great joys.

Whaaaat?? I think that women crave chocolate during certain times of the month but that doesn’t mean it causes acne?

I am curious what make you think the chocolate is causing it? Did you have food allergy testing or ??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another one here with chocolate-induced hormonal acne (and I know it is hormonal because it is the jawline and chin cystic stuff). And I don't think it is the sugar, because the breakouts also occur if I have high quality/low sugar dark chocolate. Very, very sad, because chocolate is one of my great joys.

The chocolate doesn't cause your hormonal acne. You crave chocolate *because* of your hormones. If you start taking a hormone-blocking medication, like spironolactone, or BC, your acne will go away. And you can continue eating chocolate.

[Anonymous]

+1000 on spiro. Haven't had a single one since I started on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Another one here with chocolate-induced hormonal acne (and I know it is hormonal because it is the jawline and chin cystic stuff). And I don't think it is the sugar, because the breakouts also occur if I have high quality/low sugar dark chocolate. Very, very sad, because chocolate is one of my great joys.


The chocolate doesn't cause your hormonal acne. You crave chocolate *because* of your hormones. If you start taking a hormone-blocking medication, like spironolactone, or BC, your acne will go away. And you can continue eating chocolate.

Nope -- no chocolate = no acne, even if I have a multitude of other PMS symptoms. If I eat even a little chocolate, I get a huge cystic pimple within a few hours. And that includes dairy free chocolate. You can be skeptical, but it is what it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Spironolactone.

Agree, spiro works! Can cause birth defects so make sure you have good birth control while using.

Any side effects while taking this drug? How do you feel on this drug? When do you stop taking it?

You don’t. Or your acne returns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Spironolactone.

Agree, spiro works! Can cause birth defects so make sure you have good birth control while using.

Any side effects while taking this drug? How do you feel on this drug? When do you stop taking it?

NP here. I tried a low dose last Fall. It made me incredibly dizzy (a noted side effect, but my dose was so low we didn’t think it would matter). I went off it before I got to see any benefits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:+1000 on spiro. Haven't had a single one since I started on it.

This. Even just 50mg keeps me 99% clear. One or two times per year, I get a small pimple. I used to have horrible cystic acne starting at age 12. Nothing worked long term including Accutane. Accutane worked until I got pregnant a few yrs later. Then my hormones took over and the cystic acne returned. I wish I started Spiro sooner.

[Anonymous]

As others have said, spironactone is a temporary solution. Your acne will come right back when you stop it. I think mine actually came back way worse once I stopped taking it. And you’ll have to stop if you want to get pregnant ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:+1000 on spiro. Haven't had a single one since I started on it.

This. Even just 50mg keeps me 99% clear. One or two times per year, I get a small pimple. I used to have horrible cystic acne starting at age 12. Nothing worked long term including Accutane. Accutane worked until I got pregnant a few yrs later. Then my hormones took over and the cystic acne returned. I wish I started Spiro sooner.

+1
How old were you when you started spiro? I have an almost 15 yr. old daughter who would really benefit (hormonal acne) but the dermatologist said she's still a bit too young.