acne around mouth and chin? please read

[rachel007]

I've had acne since I was in 6th grade, it was always pretty bad. I used to use a Retin-A cream (for scars) and erythromycin (benzoyl peroxide) to prevent acne. It cleared up my acne and for a few years my skin was VERY clear with hardly ever a zit in sight, but for the past year or so, I've had horrible acne, particularly around my forehead/scalp, and around my mouth and chin. I use the erythromycin twice a day, and I was even on two different birth control pills throughout this past year, but nothing clears my acne around my mouth up. Some of the zits aren't even white heads, they are just red bumps and I can't get the redness to go down, all my acne scars and I can't get the scars to go away, I stopped using the Retin-A becaues it irritates my skin and didn't even help the scars. I just went off the pill, so that probably didn't help my acne, but I only break out around my mouth, I read somewhere that it means the acne is hormone related?
Well anyways I'm going to the doctor next week
is there a good topical prescription for acne anyone can recommend? Your help is much appreciated!

[loiloi]

Hi. You're right, acne is caused by a sensitivity to the effects of androgens (the collective name for male hormones found in both male and female bodies). Androgens stimulate the sebaceous glands which leads to oily skin. Bacteria on the skin feeds off this excess oil, blocking the pores and resulting in spots.
Certain contraceptive pills such as Yasmin or Yaz contain an anti-androgen to block the effects of androgens.
Erythromycin is not particuarly effective, oral oxytetracycline or lymecycline is better.
If Retin-A irritates your skin, a milder retinoid called Differin (adapalene) would be better.
Discuss these options with your doctor.
Eloise.