Hormonal Acne: The Oil Cleansing Method and/or Supplements

saraburson

Like a few other posters, I recently developed hormonal acne after giving up birth control. There doesn't seem to be much consistent advice, but I'm willing to try anything at this point! These breakouts are worse than I ever had in puberty.

I read that fermented cod liver oil could solve the problem, but I've taken the highest allowable dose for a couple weeks and the problem has gotten worse than better. I'm curious if this may be due to the high amount of Vitamin A. (Would be possible to take more if the % of A was lower).

I've also read that evening primrose oil helps, but I'd love to get the Beauty Brains take on that. (I've only seen it mentioned once in another discussion thread.)

I've tried OCM and haven't had much success, but I still really love it more than regular cleansing. The Beauty Brains have addressed the OCM in the past, but it didn't look like many comments came about or that it's really been looked at much since then (2008ish). With the recent rise in popularity of OCM (Thanks, Pinterest!) I'd love to hear if you've learned any more. Most of what I can find seems to be positive, but there are some (who have a stake in it) who believe it's all nonsense: http://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/oily-skin/_/the-oil-cleansing-method

I just don't know what to believe -- but my skin isn't getting better! Can anyone help?

Right Brain

I'll see if I can dig up anything on this.

Ally E.

you need to give cod liver oil (glad you're taking fermented as it's very different form others) more time and don't forget to take vitamin D with it, fat soluble vitamins work in synergy, which means you need to take minerals like calcium and magnesium to guarantee proper absorption. Before I went off the pill I researched a lot and in the end am taking primrose oil, vitamin d in olive oil (if you're form US you can get in coconut oil which is even better, but they don't sell it in UK),probiotics, whole food multivitamin, agnus castus, and wholefoods magnesium+calcium complex. This was my second time going off the pill and the acne situation now is 10 times better than the first time I went off (I had the same acne like you, much worse than teenage years and it was bad when I was a teenager)

lindygirl1960

I had seen the post by Paula about oil cleansing too. All I can tell you is it works for me. I have oily, sensitive skin and had those monthly breakouts for years with cystic acne along the jawline that would crop up randomly. Since I started using Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) to clean my face morning and night my skin doesn't break out anymore and is much less oily than it used to be. (I blot a LOT less now.) After about 8 years of using only EVOO to cleanse with I won't even think of going back to cleaning my face any other way.

It works for me. That doesn't mean it works for everyone. You just have to experiment and see what works for your skin.

I hope you find what works for you soon!

saraburson

Thanks, guys!

I will try adding back the cod liver oil --- a lot of what I read online suggested I would see an immediate difference, but after three weeks or so it only seemed to be worse. I'll also look into the other supplements you mentioned. I'm hoping to keep what I'm taking every day to a minimum, but I'm certainly willing to experiment.

I had the same experience with the OCM, but like I said, somehow it just seems like my skin is better even so badly broken out, so I don't think I could go back to regular cleanser.

Mostly I am hoping to understand the science behind it all better so I can think about what I'm doing to my face. For instance, I was leaving oil behind at night for almost a week because I had this idea that it would block the dirt from my pillow and blanket, but that may have contributed to exacerbating the problem. At least if I know for sure how it all works I can experiment with what works best.

Ally E.

You won't see good results if you're taking lower quality cod liver oil, I take krill oil myself as there's a lot of evidence getting best quality cod liver oil is hard these days. Also people who do take cod liver oil make sure to get fermented cod liver oil from reputable sources (not the kind you can get in the supermarket, but more specialist brands that make sure it doesn't go rancid before it reaches you).

lindygirl1960

Or maybe you could try just eating fish a couple of times per week to get the beneficial oils instead of taking supplements. Also walnuts have oils that are good for the skin (and the heart!!).

Ally E.

make sure it's wild Alaskan salmon and not 'responsibly sourced' (usually meaning it's farmed). eating fish would work, but need to buy the wild variety to make sure omega 3 levels are anywhere near the proper amount and it has to be 2 times every week.

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories