One Reason Birth Control Was the Shyyyyt

allisong1187 · July 2014

Because I forgot how much cystic acne sucks!

Does anyone else go through this?? I've tried so many "home remedies" but nope, nothing works.

Okay, rant over.

penelopec518 · July 2014

I have minor acne problems, some cystic. I had tried Proactiv and Proactiv + and they didn't do a damn thing.

Recently I switched to Dermadoctor-Ain't Misbehavin' soap and Litmus Test moisturizer which so far have been pretty good! I have only been using them since mid June, but so far it has been helping!

The only downfall is they are kind of pricey, and I do tend to develop more of a shine with my make up now. But I would rather be shiny than broken out!

KingLED · July 2014

I use neosporin as face lotion a couple times a week. It helps a LOT.

penelopec518 · July 2014

@bibliothecary What type of oil/blend do you use?

MrsDee1982 · July 2014

Ugh, cystic acne is the worst!!!

I use Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser ever day. Three times a week I use it along with my clarisonic. After I wash my face I use Murad Essential C Toner. I also try and use the GlamGlow mask once a week.

This usually helps keep my skin in check. But I'll still get a nasty cystic pimple sometimes. I've honestly found the best thing to do is go to the dermatologist and get a cortisone injection. It makes those suckers go away within hours.

My sister swears by Origins Super Spot Remover. I've never tried it before, but she says it's a miracle worker.

createmagic14 · July 2014

The only thing that's ever helped at all was cutting dairy from my diet. I've tried damn near everything except the Accutane poison that my dermatologist suggested. I still get some occasional spots, even when I was on bc, but cutting out dairy has made a world of difference.

3houlagirl · July 2014

I don't get cystic acne, but I do get hormonal breakouts when off BC. I oil cleanse with coconut oil once a week, but the biggest difference came when I stopped washing my face twice a day. I wash my face once a day, at night, with a homemade face wash (mostly castle soap and chamomile tea) and follow with an ACV based toner, and moisturize with a shea/coconut/almond oil blend.

It turns out that every single store-bought face wash was too drying, which made my face over-produce oil.

I still have giant manhole sized pores, though. Anyone got a fix for that?

allisong1187 · July 2014

Thank you for all of these suggestions!!!

I've noticed that i typically can't use anything fancy on my face or it all goes to shit. I've been using just the basic Neutrogena acne wash for years but it does nothing for the cysts.

@bibliothecary - this oil routine sounds really interesting, I think I going to try this.

jlo629 · July 2014

When I was at my doctors last he was about to do the whole look in my throat and ears step and said "So you have mild acne, I see." I wanted to punch him. He told me that soap and water is all I need to clear that up since I am no longer on any form of BC..... I am calling BS because I look like a teenager all over again!

allisong1187 · July 2014

@bibliothecary - another question... do you use any sort of moisturizer as well? Just wondering if the oil alone is enough to keep face moisturized?

@3houlagirl - I agree.. I need help with my pores as well!! I've tried pore erasers, they do nothing....

@fuzzylogic - Maybe that's my issue! I was my face 2 times a day as well as using toner.

allisong1187 · July 2014

@bibliothecary - This seriously excites me... I can't wait to try it!

@jlo629 - I'm pretty sure that calls for a throwdown! I would've lost it if my doc said that!

KingLED · July 2014

I'm with @fuzzylogic on the not washing my face. I use a warm washcloth every day in the shower just because my face is flaky, but I don't use cleanser but maybe once a week or if I get super sweaty. My skin looks a million times better than when I was washing it all the time.

Jewels2010 · July 2014

I have problems with acne too. Lately I've bee controlling it with washing my face with a basic soap like dial (which really dried me out) or lever 2000 (the basic white bar). I've been using Dermalogica concealing spot treatment when I get a pimple or a breakout to dry it out. I use coconut oil as a moisturizer. But yeah I definitely miss having clear skin from BC.

SpartanChick88 · July 2014

@Joy2611‌ cystic acne is SUPER painful. You can pop them after a while but it's not a regular 'pop'... more like a drain of nastiness. My first cyst was on my cheek and roughly the size of half a golf ball.

Proactive actually worked for me and it's pretty much under control now. I did get one yesterday... on the outside of my bottom lip! Hurt like hell until I was able to drain it.

I might try that oil blend!

allisong1187 · July 2014

@fuzzylogic - ugh, those damn face wash bottles telling me to wash twice a day. X(

I'm definitely cutting back now! And trying the oil cleansing... All I've been doing at work is reading up on it haha

3houlagirl · July 2014

@allisong1187‌ That's how I spent my first two weeks off BC: googling "what's wrong with mai faaaeeeeece!"

My skin looked great; now I get these weird dry-yet-oily patches and just looks...gross. It was through sheer laziness that I discovered that my skin can't handle being washed often. It's hard to shake that "twice a day" mantra from the cleanser companies (who only say that so they can sell more product).

Experiment with the oils you use for OCM. I use straight coconut oil, but am thinking about switching to a mix with almond oil. The straight CO actually feels too drying now...

PS your beagle is CUUUUUTE!

allisong1187 · July 2014

@3houlagirl‌ - I think I'm going to try castor oil and sunflower oil first... That seems to be what a lot of people are doing...

Thanks! He's a very energetic little guy!!!

sthrncharmer · July 2014

I have it bad too. I started using philosophy face wash, which is very mild and has mostly natural ingredients. (Bonus bc I can use it while pregnant) I also use an oil free moisturizer and my face has felt so much better since. I too noticed I was drying my face by using too many things with salicylic acid. Therefore producing more oil and therefore producing more acne. Yuck

TheBorg7of9 · July 2014

Cystic acne cannot be treated by any topical cream. It is way too far beneath the surface.

catwine · July 2014

I hear that! My face broke out almost immediately after stopping BCP. I have super sensitive skin too so any medicated lotions or washes just irritate. Currently I'm using vegetable glycerin bar soap twice daily, not moisturizing and changing my pillowcase every couple days. I'm just hoping my BFP comes soon and the pregnancy horomones clear my skin.

BlackNYellow · July 2014

I stopped washing my face and my cystic acne cleared up in weeks! Unfortunately the scars are still there.

I use MACs makeup remover and "wash" with a simple wipe (the green package). My skin always feels hydrated, never dry and I hardly ever get pimples anymore. I do get an occasional zit on my forehead but I could not tell you the last time I had a cystic acne breakout.

I also stopped using my Clarisonic and have never looked back.

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