[Silent_tsol]

I never really had much for acne (aside from blackheads) when I was I my teens, I'm not sure if that's because I was on birth control for half the year or I was just lucky.

Anyways, fate seems to have caught up with me and I've been getting clusters of little pimples. It's driving me nuts. I know you're skin changes over time and I should look at a new cleanser/toner and probably actually use them.

I don't want to go back on the birth control just so I can avoid these breakouts-if that's even the problem. It's just frustrating. I wish I had them when everyone else did

[Trippin2.0]

I know how you feel Lithium gave me my 1st taste of acne at the ripe old age of 27! My skin's improved since I quit meds tho. Ph balance does change, which means your skin's needs change. I'd look into different products

Ugh ive had severe acne since the age of 11 - ive tried pretty much everything and because of my mental health i can't go on roacutane or anything as strong as that. The best cleanser for me is definately clinique anti blemish solutions cleansing foam - its meant for quite bad skin so you might find it works wonders on small clusters of pimples etc. Apparently apple cider vinegar works amazingly as a topical solution. I personally have never tried it but definately see a doc if this continues as it may well be a symptom of something else. Good luck.

[Silent_tsol]

Yikes, symptom of something else?!
I have sensitive and reaction prone skin when it comes to face washes. I was lucky to game gotten through the teenage years without acne because washing with just a splash of water is what my skin trays least too.

Maybe I'll give spoke cider vinegar a try, thanks.

[BDPpartner]

Speaking as someone in their 30's I'd like to quash the myth that spots are something confined to the teenage years. I have a number of friends around a similar age who are still plagued with breakouts even now. If fact my mother in her 60's also has breakouts from time to time. When i've spoken to my doctor about it he has just said it's hormonal and or impurities coming out. If you've ever noticed on tv people with substance addiction etc have truely awful skin. The best advise i was given was plenty of water, fresh fruit and veg and avoid to much sugar especially in hot weather

[sesame]

I feel your pain! I've found that putting ice packs on pimples helps to reduce size and redness, but works best with applying benzoyl peroxide afterwards to reduce oil buildup. For me, I've also found that a product my dermatologist gave me called Tretinoin really helps with larger pimples that aren't on the surface of my skin. If I really do feel the need to pop something, I make sure that I clean the area beforehand, and put a small amount of witch hazel on it afterwards. Additional advice I've seen is to make sure that you change your pillowcase often, and KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OF YOUR FACE. I never realized how frequently I touch my face, and that the areas I tend to touch the most tend to have the most pimples, like if I sit for a long time with my head propped up with my hand or something like that.

I also recently found this facial mask. Haven't tried it yet, but maybe it will be of help to you! From collegefashion.net:

"This DIY mask, made of nutmeg, honey, and cinnamon, is calming and soothing for stressed-out skin – in addition, it smells absolutely amazing!

The secret? Nutmeg and honey act as natural anti-inflammatories, which can reduce swelling and redness in skin. They’re also great for soothing acne scars and preventing infection. In addition, the nutmeg and cinnamon also work to exfoliate your skin when you wash this mask off.

Before you begin, it’s always a good idea to do a small test with homemade mixes on your skin to make sure you don’t have a bad reaction to any ingredients. So remember to do a quick patch test on sensitive skin, like that on the inside of your wrist, before applying this mask to your face.

To create the mask, mix 2 tablespoons of honey with a teaspoon of cinnamon and a teaspoon of nutmeg. The consistency should be like a thick paste. After it’s all mixed, apply the mask to your face and let it sit for 30 minutes. Wash it off with warm water, scrubbing softly in circular motion for exfoliation."

Originally Posted by Silent_tsol

I never really had much for acne (aside from blackheads) when I was I my teens, I'm not sure if that's because I was on birth control for half the year or I was just lucky.

Anyways, fate seems to have caught up with me and I've been getting clusters of little pimples. It's driving me nuts. I know you're skin changes over time and I should look at a new cleanser/toner and probably actually use them.

I don't want to go back on the birth control just so I can avoid these breakouts-if that's even the problem. It's just frustrating. I wish I had them when everyone else did

I didn't have acne as a teen but I really did in my late 20's/and into my 30's (I'm 34 now). I didn't want to be on the pill either and went to a dermatologist. I tried pretty much everything and then I decided to try the pill again which is what ended up working for me. My hormones changed and that's what evened them out.

[purplecow]

So many things are involved in causing breakouts...STRESS, Hormones, activity level, age, cleanliness.

I know I have a variety of women that use a product that I sell for MaryKay and I have seen some very interesting ages and changes have an effect. I have however seen great results for them as well, so not sure what the secret is but if it works why question it.

[nophd]

Originally Posted by Silent_tsol

I never really had much for acne (aside from blackheads) when I was I my teens, I'm not sure if that's because I was on birth control for half the year or I was just lucky.

Anyways, fate seems to have caught up with me and I've been getting clusters of little pimples. It's driving me nuts. I know you're skin changes over time and I should look at a new cleanser/toner and probably actually use them.

I don't want to go back on the birth control just so I can avoid these breakouts-if that's even the problem. It's just frustrating. I wish I had them when everyone else did

I did the same thing. Pretty good complexion except for the occasional annoying pimples in my teens. But in my early 20's used an oily cosmetic that pushed me over the brink. Got cystic acne and had to get a dermatologist to clear it up. Then my daughter got cystic acne in her 20's, right under a bad dermatogist nose; she had to change doc's to get it cleared up. My advice is to be very careful and consider see a good dermatogist.

[possum220]

I had very few pimples in my teens and twenties. Now my hormones are changing so is my complexion. They have dismissed the consumption of chocolate as a cause of pimples...... but I really don't believe them.

[hamster-bamster]

All women of all ages should use Tazorac to have wrinkle-free skin and prevent all blackouts. It is expensive, but it is well worth it. If you absolutely cannot afford it, buy Retin-A - another, older, prescription cream.

To boost the effectiveness of Tazorac, use a Benzoyl Peroxide (10%) wash daily in the shower. Do not wash your face more frequently than once daily. If Benzoyl Peroxide is too drying, use if every other day. Do not use Salicylic acid.