Acne and Redness in Mid 40'S

Redness likely from the OTC acne products too strong.
Rx like diffrin may be better.
I have same problem, strange that it goes away for a few months when I take antibiotic for other reasons...

I've been having the same problem! I'm 36, had pimples starting in my teens, cleared (mostly) with pregnancy and breastfeeding, and now has come back with a vengence since Sept last year. I finally broke down and bought the "proactive" three step cleanser, toner, lotion line of products. I've tried this before (years ago) and it works really well, the only thing is that it smells like chemicals, (which is why I stopped using it). I've been using it now for 8 days and I can already tell a difference. Sorry for sounding like a commercial! It is sold on TV and also at costco for $33 which will probably last me bout 2 months or so.
I never really found anything else that works as well :(
good luck to you!

Hi L.,
I totally can relate to your situation. When I was a teenager I didn't have the acne problem, but after I hit 20's I was having bad skin then watched commericals for quite some time on Proactiv and finally tried that. Along with eating better and drinking water (stopped with soda's)and saw such an improvement on my skin.
Washing your face every night is key and there are evenings I even forget to wash my face (Due to by the end of the day It seems like I don't have Makeup on anyway)
When my skin finally cleared up I stopped using proactiv. I have tried Murad skin care after reading up on it and the have different skin products for different problems. It didn't help me. I had it bad around my chin and on my cheeks.
I was so embarrassed to leave the house and it took me so long to put my makeup on due to the fact that I was trying to cover up my blemishes (Which makeup wasn't helping the problem, but I wouldn't leave the house without makeup).
I finally started using Bare Mineral makeup (Best thing every and helps the skin as well)
Bare minerals helps you skin as well and isn't like other liquid makeup where it clogs the pores.
Bare minerals and Proactiv has saved me once again.
I used both products in my late 20-30's and stopped but I am back to what I know works.
Like some of the other mother's have said, you might want to try some inexpensive products, but I did that as well and seem to have made my face worse...
Proactiv has a 60 day money back quarantee and I saw results within 2 weeks if not sooner.
tip on proactiv, the repairing lotion is strong so minimal is best. I started getting flacky skin but used their lotion before my makeup Oil control which helped. I also changed from their regular proactiv to Gentle formula which helps just as well but not as strong.
Also, your probably saying, Ok this lady is in her 30's but I am going to be 40 this year and been dealing with this for some time.
Good luck to you. I know what your going through and finally feel more confident with my skin without makeup..

S.

Hi L. -

I agree with the hormonal issue, but also consider food allergies as a possible reason. I was having major breakouts like you desribe, a new boil-like sore almost every day. Long story short, I quit eating wheat and the pimples vanished. They only come back when I have a piece of cake - who can resist cake? :-)

See an acupuncturist to help deal with many food and premenopausal symptoms, I can recommend Patricia Lollis in Berkeley/Albany (on San Pablo).

I'm 45 and recently have been dealing with this. Turned out to be a new moisturizer that I had bought. I'm using Aveno now and am fine.

The redness might be rosacea.

Hi L.,

Whenever you have blemishes on the outside it starts from the inside.

Are you taking any supplements? Do you use makeup or skin care? Do you use toxic chemicals in your home to clean your house? What about your soap you use to clean yourself or laundry. Are they toxic.

I am a wellness consultant and have learned so much about what we are doing to ourselves and why we become so sick today. We are exposed to many chemicals on a regular basis and it is effecting our health.

I would first of all recommend on doing a detox and cleaning out your system and get better nutrition in your body so it will help in cleaning out the chemicals that are build up in your body.

Living water will help clean out your body also. Most of us are drinking dead water.

If you are interested in learning more let me know.

Have a great day.

N. Marie

Hi L.,

I'm 44 and have a similar problem. I seem to break out every month, but it takes so long to clear up sometimes that it seems like I have it all the time. It is mostly on my chin and forehead. Sometimes it is related to tweezing - even if I have my eyebrows professionally done - I break out above them almost the same day. Ugh!
My husband bought me a Galvanic Spa for Christmas (best gift ever!) and that has helped a lot. Galvanic Spas are mostly aimed at wrinkle reduction, but with the deep cleansing, my breakouts seem to now be very infrequent and are gone very quickly. It also helped my freckles fade too (an added plus - they have gone WILD since moving to California!)
Here's some info on Galvanic Spas in the media:
www.nsevideos.com

Hope this helps....
S.

i had something similar........i'm 44yo and suddenly this sort of rash looking stuff came up on my cheek to the side of my mouth, and began to migrate! i did go to derm MD who said it is "oral (teenage, haha!) acne! if i wanted it to go away in 3wks, i had to use an Rx (doxycycline). ...it's been 1.5wks and it's now finally almost gone. she sd i could us a topical but it would take 6-12mos to go away that way...good luck!

I think it's related to hormonal changes. I have had it creep up now and again, but it's more boil-like than pimple-like in nature. I have a friend is is older, and she has had it worse. I recommend going to a dermatologist. It helped my friend. Mine is still sporadic.

38 year old mother of four.

Hi L.,

You may not have acne. It could be rosecea. My redness is on my checks and when I have a flair up, it looks like acne. I used Proactive for a while, but with older skin it was a little to harsh. I now am using the redness program that Clinic has. It seems to be keeping it in check. Go to the doctor to have them evaulate what is going on. Good Luck!
W.

Two words: HORMONE IMBLANCE!!!
and this can be just the tip of the Iceberg!!!
Love, G.. :0)

It may be related to hormones and it may not. And yes, it's very normal. Your skin type may have changed because of age, season, diet, environment, or a new sensitivity to products you've used, or even an allergy to a new product (not necessarily one you put on your face--think of everything new you've bought). Could be a food allergy. The best way to figure it out is to see a dermatologist. If that's not an option, I recommend checking out "The Skin Type Solution" by Leslie Baumann. You can probably find it in the library, or if not, it's in publisher's remainders now (that means it should be pretty cheap--I've seen copies at Walgreens for 5 bucks). I read it when I got acne for the first time in my life at 30. I have clear skin now. Hope this helps.

Check with your dermatologist. It is probably temporary but could easily be rosacea (mentioned earlier). There are creams and other treatments that treat this quickly and easily.

Hi L.
I used to have breakouts all the time until I started using Arbonne, which is a Swiss formulated skin care line. I don't have breakouts anymore and the redness and wrinkles are both decreased. I had such great results I became a consultant. My daughter uses our acne line as well and it is the only thing that has worked to clear up her skin.
I would be happy to provide you with a free sample to try and see if you like it. There is no obligation, just try to see if you get good results.
____@____.com
www.skincarehealth.myarbonne.com

Just on one side? Is it the side you sleep on? Have you changed laundry products lately? Or have your old stand-by's changed their formulas? Or do you (perhaps unconsciously) rest that side of your head on your hand & you've got a new hand lotion?

I'm right there with you. I can tell you from experience that Proactiv works! And for my self esteem I have been paying for it. However, I just recently stopped buying it and switched to an Avon product that seems to be working just as well because it's less expensive. I do sell Avon but don't usually pitch to people here because I just feel weird about it. If you are interested, you can look at my website, email me at ____@____.com and I can give you the site address. Otherwise, I would suggest Proactiv. I started using it when I was pregnant with my daughter. I tend to get very large cyst like acne and I rarely have had any breakouts in years with that product.
Good luck!!

I have dealt with acne and redness for a good chunk of my life so I know a good product when I see it. After one of the worst breakouts of my life. I pretty much hid myself in my house. I found what turned out to be the best face line I have ever used. Nature's Paradise organics! It is all organic and NO chemicals and I get the added benefit of it REALLY working and it works fast! Most products you get worse before better but I go better and better with every application. I LOVE THIS STUFF! My breakouts are so much better and the redness is gone! I hope it works for you. I do have more tricks up my sleeve if it doesn't so just ask me.

http://www.naturesparadiseorganics.com/google34de###-###-...

Good Luck!

L.,
Your skin may be changing along with your hormones. Do you use a night cream? If so you might want to see if that is the cause. In my case my skin was too dry and that was causing my breakouts...that and hormones. I never thought of it as dry until I got a facial, and she commented on it. Also, drink at least eight glasses of water a day...they need to be eight ounces each minimum.
For the break outs, I used any product that has salacylic acid in it. Benzoyle peroxide only inflamed things more for me. And only apply it once a day, with the moisturizer on top of it. You don't want to dry it out too fast or you will get more break outs. Also, change your pillow case once a week, or more, and wash your face will cool water instead of hot. I also forgot to mention the dr. said never to use MAC makeup,it contians way to much oil. I hope all of this helps.
W. m.

Hi L., it's all part of perimenopause, welcome to your forties! So go check out the website www.womentowomen.com
and see all the info they have there. I use their biodentical supplements and find they help a lot. I also use skincare products from YG Labs and J. Iredale mineral makeup which I get through an esthetician (not the correct spelling...) at Skinergize.com (or it might be .org, not sure) You can email her at ____@____.com luck! I like those products because they are natural and mineral based, and there is no animal testing done to create the product. You will find they are top notch skin care products. Good luck with your search!

Hi L.!

My skin is doing the same thing off/on, and I KNOW it's all related to my body changing and doing it's "pre-menopause" thing. I just assume that the acne is all part of it.

I'm trying to clean my face more often, which was barely ever :o) I carry these little tissue squares (from Mary Kay) to blot my face during the day. They look and feel like 2" squares of tissue paper, but I can blot the excess oil from my problem areas during the day, and it's like cleaning my face.

I would try any oil control lotion and apply before makeup to help control the dirt building up from the day. Then try really hard to wash every night. Add a simple acne treatment lotion to blot on acne before makeup and after washing. You can even apply it during midday as long as it dries clear. Again, I use Mary Kay.

Microdermabrasion is supposed to work great for uneven facial skin tones. I would go to Target and try something inexpensive before I'd invest in something expensive. Or at least get a free 7-day trial of something before buying anything expensive.

L., I am a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant and have access to everything at my fingertips to keep my skin looking and feeling healthy and beautiful......all I have to do is use it regularly and it works :O)

Please don't feel insecure about your face. I'm sure it's not as bad as you think it is, you're just not used to it. Sometimes, it's simply a matter of making more time for yourself. In this case, to wash more often :o) If you want me to mail you anything to try for 7 days, just let me know, I'd be happy to help you feel better about yourself :O)

~N.

I switched to Bare Minerals makeup and ALL my acne cleared up. Also wash your face day and night and don't forget to use a moisturizer.

Good Luck!

Hi L., I read your post about dealing with acne and redness and hope I can lend some advice. I'm a skincare therapist in Carmel and honestly acne is very common in our forties. It sounds like you may have some kind of roseacea which is usually a genetic condition that can occur later in life due to triggers, like stress, alcohol, excersise, and sun exposure. Roseacea also can include flare ups with acne. It sounds like you've been dealing with this for awhile now, what are you using to cleanse your face? Also, are you using a spot treatment for the acne? If so, it may be irritating the redness behind it. I would recommend going to an esthetician over a dermatologist because usually at a doctors office they will see you briefly and put you on some sort of antibiotic that almost always aggravates the breakout even more and will really dry you out. I have helped so many clients with your skin problem and there are natural organic products you can use to balance your skin before spending lots of money on going to a doctor. Take a look at my website carmelskinstudio.vpweb.com and if interesed I would love to schedule a complimentary consultation to take a look at your skin!
D.