Chiming in on this old thread because I also had awful cystic acne, especially during pregnancy. I use tea tree oil and I swear it was the cure for me. I had a horrible time with picking and squeezing, and of course that only makes cystic acne worse. Tea tree oil smells awful but you get used to it and it works within days. Safe to use while pregnant. I put it directly on my skin but I don't have sensitive skin - you may want to dilute it the first time you try it. I apply it with a q-tip.

I had the cystic acne really badly my first pregnancy. This time, I used Frankincense oil (I know I sound like a hippy), and it has really helped!! I wash at night just using jojoba oil, then moisturize with a few drops of frankincense and either more jojoba oil or my normal moisturizer, and boom, no chin strap of acne. Worth a shot.

Ok, let me give experience with cortisol shots. Clear skin, then a day before my wedding, BAM, huge cysts pimples started all over my face. I went to a planned Dr appt, & got the shots & great clear skin for the wedding! BUT, is like it backfired, & my entire honeymoon, I had a breakout like I have had for years that played a LONG time. So, if have an important event, and don't mind having to hide out for a week after, at least, it might be ok? Idk about pregnancy? But, I've been using Alba natural detox mask, with the purifying natural scrub and it's great. I've missed a couple days during this pregnancy, just the last week, and I'm starting to get the bigger pimples, instead of just small ones, which btw, if they are to a head, w/clean hands I'll get rid of them, and ALWAYS put Neosporin on (must be the clear kind, original) and it kills bacteria! Works great for me!

Plain water and wash cloth.

Anonymous wrote:I have a combination of krakatoa chin zits combined with gross little white heads that pop up all over my face on a daily basis. I even had one on the inside of my nostril. Do these recommendations work for the little whiteheads as well as the giant cysts? This is my second pregnancy, but I didn't have this problem with my first (or maybe I've just blacked it out?)

Not the PP, but I'm gonna be another person shilling for The Ordinary. Their Azalaic Acid is a miracle for those little white heads, and is Category B. It's the OTC version of Finacea.

Anonymous wrote:is it possible that a specific estrogen in food is causing the cystic acne? I ask because I discovered (by doing a reverse elimination test, that is, I made certain that I ate the food) that edamame gives me cystic acne on my chin.

Are you eating a large amount of tofu? Soy? In my case, I was binging on edamame ... Couldn't get enough! I'd never, ever had acne of any sort and then suddenly, at 37, had huge, painful cysts all over my chin.

No edamame, no cystic acne for me. Checked this out with my doctor who was ready to write me a Rx for antibiotics to take daily (!) as a preventative measure. I asked what else he'd recommend and that's when I asked about my soy intake. Hope it is as simple for you...pregnancy and peri menopausal hormones (in my case) can wreak havoc on your skin.

I had a similar experience with edamame. It was pretty dramatic.

Anonymous wrote:I have a combination of krakatoa chin zits combined with gross little white heads that pop up all over my face on a daily basis. I even had one on the inside of my nostril. Do these recommendations work for the little whiteheads as well as the giant cysts? This is my second pregnancy, but I didn't have this problem with my first (or maybe I've just blacked it out?)

Do you rest your chin on your hands? If so, stop. You will see a big difference.

Frankincense oil mixed with jojoba oil has mostly eliminated my pregnancy-induced cystic acne

Go to TheOrdinary.com. Order the Vitamin C in Silicone, their Lactic Acid 5% peel and their Niacinamide & Zinc serum. Use the serum 2x a day before you put anything else on your face. The zinc will prevent blemishes and the Niacinamide will help with healing. Use the Lactic Acid at night at the start of your nighttime routine - ease into this if you have sensitive skin, but I have rosacea and eczema and don't have a problem with it at all. Then apply Vitamin C to any acne scars, sun spots or problem areas. Follow with lotion or nite cream.

All of these are fine for pregnancy. Make sure you don't overcleanse your face and avoid BHAs like salicylic acid. But AHAs like Lactic acid are fine and found in your body.

My first pregnancy I had horrible acne and suffered through the whole time -- it was so bad and so embarrassing. To the point that after I had my baby I went to a dermatologist to get prescription meds. This pregnancy the acne has returned. I was bound and determined to not go through that again. I started getting painful cystic acne all over my chin forehead and by my nose. I was using salicylic acid spot tx which wasn't really helping plus it's not good for you. I've had dermalmd blemish serum for three weeks now and I noticed after three days my acne was SO much better. I still have a little but nothing I'm super embarrassed by and nothing huge at all. Dermalmd serum has been a lifesaver!!

Anonymous wrote:This sounds crazy but I swear it works every single time....toothpaste. At bedtime I put some regular old crest on blemishes and by morning they are either completely gone significantly better. It has never failed me and I've been doing this for a few years now.

Be careful about using flouride toothpaste. In fact, OP, I am allergic to flouride and it causes cystic acne. Start using flouride free toothpaste.

I know that this thread is 2 years old, but figured I'd chime in and say that Lactic Acid is approved during pregnancy (retinols, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide aren't recommended), and really helps me resolve and keep acne at bay.

The Ordinary sells a lactic acid peel that's really gentle and comes in 5% or 10% strength. In the mornings I use their Niacinamide & Zinc solution which also prevents congestion. So far acne has been doing much better this pregnancy than the last!

Ever since high school, I haven't experienced large break out till now in my late 20s. I have tried everything that can make my acne disappear ( mostly on my jawline), huge painful acne that doesn't go away. I use blemish serum of dermalmd every morning & night (never dries out my skin, unlike other acne treatment). At first, it doesn't look like it work, but try using it every day( twice a day) and you'll see the difference. Now my face is free of acne &I would definitely recommend for anyone who suffers painful cystic acne. Trust me when I say this serum works! I've tried all the expensive stuff out there but none works better than this.

Anonymous wrote:OP again - I was able to get a derm appointment with Dr. Brooks in Skin Cosmetic Dermatology in Glover Park the same day. Huge plus. Great, clean and peaceful office with a bubbling fountain - helpful especially since I was nervous. He used a very small needle to release pressure from the cyst and take some of the gross stuff out. Didn't hurt. He advised using a very warm compress/cloth with salt water as much as I could the next several hours to draw more fluid out. I did and it seems to be working. The cyst looks a LOT better, doesn't hurt anymore and smaller in size. He also gave several samples.

I'm so glad you went to the dr OP.

I was 6 m PP when I broke out horribly on my nose. I've had bad skin for many years but it was not ever so intense and looked horrible. Ive never been to the dermatologist but after 5 days I had had it. I scheduled and appt and the dermatologist took one look and told me it was shingles. Totally freaked out bc the baby doesn't get the chicken pox vaccine till 1 year. I took a lot of precaution to prevent the baby from getting it. So glad I went to see the dermatologist. Her PA who I initially saw had no idea....

Stop using flouride toothpaste.