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Hormonal acne and autoimmune illness
  • Olulu

    Hello,

    I've had hormonal acne for about the last two years. The acne appears in earnest about 1-2 weeks before my period but take so long to go that the skin never really clears. They only ever really appear on my chin and just around my mouth. That's literally it, for which I'm grateful, but they're SO sore (large red lumps that take ages to come to a head) and they're all over my chin. They make me feel so self-conscious.

    They never appeared when I was on Yasmin but because I have an autoimmune illness, I can't take birth control pills anymore. Nor can I take most antibiotics.

    Any advice on what I can do? I've been taking evening primrose oil, saw palmetto and starflower oil for about 6 weeks but no results yet.

    All advice really grateful received - the autoimmune thing makes things a bit complicated!

    Thanks so so much,

    Lou

  • Olulu
    Ps, the rest of my skin is almost completely clear so it does just seem to be hormonal. I've been to see facialists but they concentrate on the cleansing/moisturiser side of things. They told me to "get my hormones tested" which I'm happy to do but my GP has no idea which to test...
  • Ally E.Ally E.
    my gyno told me taking primrose oil is quite similar as the pill (as in the effect it has on the body, as it interferes with natural way your hormones act). so double check with your doctor.

    about the hormones - see a good endocrinologist. are you from UK? getting a referal and being taken seriously might take a lot of hassle, I'd suggest you exaggerate symptoms to get any attention. Or try moving to another GP and keep on doing it until you find the one that listens.
  • lindygirl1960
    Maybe your skin could be helped by changing your skin care routine. Perhaps that is why the facialists mentioned it.
    Have you seen a dermatologist?

    Have you tried the process of elimination? Leave out one of your usual products at a time and see if one of the ones you are using is the culprit causing the breakouts. 

    I used to have hormonal acne along the jawline but once I began using a BHA product to exfoliate my skin (I use that once a week) and a retinol product (on nights when I am not using the BHA) it slowed down a lot. It stopped completely when I switched my cleanser for Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO). Sounds like it shouldn't work, considering that I have oily sensitive skin, but it does. I clean my face morning and night with EVOO.

    I found what works for me after a lot of trial and error. 

    I hope you find what works for you.
  • Ally E.Ally E.
    now that lindygirl mentioned it, i had the same kind of acne around my periods and it stopped once i started using Naruko Tea Tree Oil acne serum.
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