Help! I'm breaking out!

**Valerie in WA** · 05-28-2006, 11:52 AM

For years I've gotten a single pimple right before my period.

However, I could now compete with a 15 year old. At the begining May, I broke out with 5 pimples, and now I've got 4 more brewing and ready to erupt. ACK!! I'm totally greasy too. BTW, this is all around my nose/mouth/chin area.

I stopped using Cetaphil to wash, and switched back to soap. I stopped using Oil of Olay. And last night I bought some Clearasil (10% benzoyl peroxide). It said to use up to 3 times a day, but to consider starting with only once a day, so as to avoid over-drying. I applied some before bed and again at 6am. Now, it's not even 10am and I'm greasy again.

What's going on and what else can I do?

TIA!

**MOMMYDEAREST** · 05-28-2006, 11:56 AM

oh my, i can totally relate to your pimples, it sucks!!!!! i have been using 10% benzoyl peroxide.........and its a miracle. i just buy the generic walmart brand. on the bottle it says "medicated acne gel". it costs $1.94 at walmart. i use it 1-2 times a day, and its done a miracle for me. my face is super clear!! good luck, acne can just be so embarassing!!!!

**Scattymum** · 05-28-2006, 01:14 PM

I put tea tree oil on any spots I get - seems to get rid of them straight away

bg · 05-28-2006, 01:41 PM

If you eat a lot of friend foods, cutting or reducing would really help. I don't eat much fried stuff when my period is around the corner and it really helps.

**miss_thrifty** · 05-28-2006, 04:04 PM

anything choclate, caffenie, or greasy makes me break out!!! Mines mostly hormonal early menopause. I always have breakouts. stress is abig factor, the more i worry about things the more I break out in the next couple of days.

**QuilterMom** · 05-28-2006, 04:59 PM

I had the same thing happen once I turned 33. I battled it and battled it and finally got it cleared up when I started using Burt's Bees citrus facial scrub and Burt's Bees tomato complexion soap.

**SHOPGIRL** · 05-28-2006, 05:28 PM

This is the only thing I've found effective and it works. Do a search on Jan Marini products. Usually these are sold through a dermatologist. I use the glycolic cleanser and the bioclear and I've been acne free for a long time. For me, acne has been more hormonal. Other products are o.k. and sometimes effective, but they're very drying to the skin. The money I've spent on these products has been 100% worth it.

**canadian gardener** · 05-28-2006, 08:00 PM

It's hormonal. You could be peri menopausal. Welcome to the wonky years.

**Valerie in WA** · 05-28-2006, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by canadian gardener

It's hormonal. You could be peri menopausal. Welcome to the wonky years.

Say it isn't so!!

Actually I'm 5 yrs younger than when my mom started getting irregular. Oh wait, no... only 4 yrs younger (darned birthday!).

**Valerie in WA** · 05-28-2006, 08:59 PM

Oh and my greasy update: I took a nasty rough hospital wash cloth & harsh hospital soap (I'm at work today) and washed my face at 10am and again around 2pm. It's almost 7pm, and I'm greasy again!

They may be unfrugal, but I might have to purchase and carry some of those little wipes for greasy teens. Lol!

**canadian gardener** · 05-29-2006, 09:19 AM

Well you are doing what you can. Paula Begoun was doing a guest appearance on Cityline TV (a canadian home and garden show) and sharing the latest tricks from her Don't go to the cosmetics counter series of books.

She was mentioning peri menopause acne and said the best thing is that Benzoyl Peroxide stuff and that the things that contained that for teens were the best as long as they stuck to plain BP, and not putting extra stuff in that tends to irritate.

She said a lot of ladies get it. Combi of hormones and stress.

**Valerie in WA** · 05-31-2006, 09:41 AM

Update:

Clearasil is working very well. I even backed off to once a day (my skin started to feel tight).

I also did some reading on perimenopause and hypothyroid. I think a visit to the doctor is in order.

**MirandaK** · 05-31-2006, 10:55 AM

After trying a number of things for my adult acne (never had it as a teen!), I gave Proactiv a shot and it really did do the trick. That stuff is miraculous! I had even tried a perscription from my dr. before finally succumbing to the infomerical. Best $40.00 I ever spent!

**rachelj** · 05-31-2006, 11:24 AM

I hope that it is ok if a newbie replies.

I am a Mary Kay consultant and one of the many things that I have learned is that by using harsh astringents or soaps will make your skin dry but it will then try to overcompensate many times by producing more oil. Proactive is can be good but once you are on their list be expecting new orders whether you are ready or not.

I don't know if that helps or not.

**Valerie in WA** · 05-31-2006, 02:15 PM

Hi Rachel and

I hadn't thought about over-compensation. For almost two years, I've been using Cetaphil to wash and Oil of Olay to moisturize. Now I'm using soap & Clearasil. Now that it seems under control, perhaps I should go back to the Cetaphil. . . and just use the Clearasil once a day.

Much of life is about balance.

And no, I won't be spending $40 for Proactive. It's not that bad! LOL!