menopause and acne

I am going through menopause (age 53) and have developed mild acne.  I'm not sure if I should treat it any differently than I would have if I was in my teens.  I have been using facial moisturizers since I was 18 and night cream moisturizers for the past 6 months. Could the moisturizers be making my acne worse?  Acne products really dry out my skin.  Would a product, such as Proactive, be helpful?  

[Machelle Seibel, MD]

Acne occurs in a fair number of women near menopause. Sometimes there is increased production of androgens ('male' like hormones such as testosterone). The acne is caused when the skin glands clog up with thick secretions. While I cannot say for sure, it is likely that skin moisturizers are not making the acne worse. Using skin products that contain benzyl peroxide or salicillic acid locally on the areas that have the acne might improve the problem and not dry out your entire face. If you are making acne cysts, they might need to be injected with a weak steroid to make them go away.

Consider seeing a dermatologist. Also, some women benefit with a low dose of antibiotics or going on a low dose birth control pill to control their problem. Although it is unlikely that your hormone levels of testosterone are quite elevated, just to be sure, you can ask your doctor to check your androgen levels to be certain the levels are not abnormally high as a result of overproduction that needs investigation.
Machelle Seibel, MD