Aa
Is it acne?
I have always had pimples, ever since I was about 12 when they started on my forehead only. I would get the occasional blemish on my cheeks or chin. Once I started birth control, they all started to fade but I would still get the odd one. Enough to say that I would not go out of the house without makeup. I am now 29 and my acne is worse than ever. I got off birth control over a year ago as I wanted to get my body ready to start trying to conceive. My face is constantly broken out, it's red, irritated, itchy and it hurts. I've tried countless products such a benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, beta hydroxy acids, clean and clear, tea tree oil and spectro gel, just to name a few. I eat barely any dairy, no sugar and alot of fruits and vegetables and lean meat. I don't drink soda, only water and mint green tea. When I do have even a little bit of sugar, my face breaks out into what looks like a rash. It's red bumps all over my face that are raised and itchy. They take days to go away. Why is this happening? I always looks like I have marks on my face and sometimes I get cysts where they hurt and are huge and hard. They leave ugly scars and take months to go away. Please help! Could it be parasites? or candida? I'm at such a loss at what to do. I just want clear skin for once in my life. I dont want to take any medication that could interfere with conceiving and/or being pregnant.
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Have you had allergy testing done?
Have you ever let your face breathe? What I mean by that is, have you ever gone a week without wearing makeup?
Makeup is the worst thing in the world for acne. It is also the main culprit in allergic reactions on the face. Ask any actress...they'll be the first to tell you how bad their acne is from the makeup that they have to wear...so they plaster even more on to hide it...sad but true.
Did you give each of the above acne methods a fair chance to work? In other words, did you try them each for at least 3 weeks without wearing makeup on top?
Generally, when using any acne medication it can take up to 3 weeks to notice a difference. The first 2 weeks the acne will actually get worse! This is due to the toxins working their way out.
Drinking plenty of water helps to flush it out...and as the saying goes...drink it, don't bathe in it. Water can actually make many skin conditions worse.
I suggest trying to go makeup free for a few weeks. Use gentle soaps if you must use soap. Dry your face completely after washing...don't rub, just pat.
Keep a journal. If you go out and put makeup on one night, write that down. If you break out within a 48 hour period after applying the makeup you will know what has caused it.
If you suspect a food allergy, write down in your journal what you eat today...if you break out with the itchy raised spots within a 2 day period, you'll know it was something you ate...keep doing this for about a month or two and you'll eventually be able to figure out what it is that is irritating your skin.
Try new makeup if you really need to wear it. The new mineral based powders are gentler on the skin, but they still clog the pores causing the acne.
You'll probably notice that your acne is worse during ovulation...which generally occurs 2 weeks after or before your next period. This is natural, and your hormones are to blame for that.
Hope this helps.