As a teenager I was one of the lucky ones that didn't have to deal with acne. However, now that I am an adult in my 30's I can't seem to keep it under control. The majority of it is on my chin. I've used some over the counter creams and cleansers, but nothing really seems to be working. Any suggestions???
Thanks!!
I asked this question as well. I am exactly like you. Great skin till I hit 30. Now its gotten bad around my temples. So far only Pro-active is working, but think it is more hormonal related for me, gets really bad around my period.
I was the same. I finally tried Proactive and it worked great. About 9 months ago, I switched to this fancy line recommended by a facialist. It does do a great job with brown spots but the past several weeks I started breaking out on my chin like crazy. I finally pulled out the old Proactive toner and used that on my chin and I'm back to normal... Not sure if it's a coincidence or not but Proactive was also the only thing that worked 10 years ago when I had the same problem as you. And like you, no problems really as a teen! Proactive is nice and cheap too.
I don't know what works but you may want to consider what you may be doing to cause it. Adult acne tends to be from clogged pores. Could be you aren't cleaning your chin as well, perhaps you lean it on your hand during work or reading or watching TV.
A good first step would be to figure out why it is mostly you chin. After that you may already have it figured out.
Oh yeah and dry skin makes it worse so you may be overcleansing.
Been there and been there. I have always dealt with some form of acne. Little pimples, big cyst ones pretty much my whole life. I have genetically oily skin, always lean on chin with my hands, especially when in college, and when I was working. When I turned 30, it was out of control. When I finally was able to see a dermatologist, the only thing at that point that would calm it down was antibiotics. Seriously. Just do it to get it to calm down. One thing I found was the more things I tried the worse it got. After being on the antibiotics and my face began to clear up and calm down every dermatologist prescribed some oral cream. They seemed to work but the only thing is they were always real expensive and my insurance company never covered because it was considered cosmetic, I know, so unfair since, yes it is so hormonal. But listen to a dermatologist and wait to do anything else. In the meantime, what has worked for me tried and true just keeping my face cleaned, is Purpose soap, in bar or wash. I did the Proactive which definitely worked, but the problem was that over a certain period of time my face just didn't agree with it anymore. S, for $40 or so a month it was a waste, for me. ( I even have 2 whole unopened box sets just sitting here-for the taking). Seriously.
When I turned 40, two years ago, the same thing happened to my face. All of a sudden my face blew up with cysts all over my chin, side of my jaws, neck, it was ridiculous. Again, so hormonal.
One little trick that I learned along the way, so that you aren't/won't use your own fingers, as much as you want to when the acne comes to head, but, if you have to, get a really thin straight pin and just prick the pimple gently, letting it out. Do not "pop" it as this will cause scarring. The other way won't. Just an in between option.
Good luck. I feel for you, I really do. It's not fun and is such a confidence killer.
I had this problem last year. It was terrible. Mostly my chin & jaw line. I tried everything. Creams, washes, ointments, spot treatments. I spent a lot of money trying to get rid of it. Nothing worked. I made sure never to touch my face and to keep it clean. I stopped wearing makeup. Still nothing worked.
Coincidentally I had my annual exam around that time and I got on birth control. I hadn't been on it for a while. I started taking it and my skin cleared up in no time.
Recently I read an article that in women in their late 20s, early 30s tend to have a hormonal acne breakout. Chin acne tends to be an indicator that the problem is hormones. So, if you find that nothing else works you may want to bring it up with your gyno.
Be sure to take a close look at the products you are currently using to see if they might be part of the problem. I had tiny little red pimples / whiteheads on my chest, back, scalp and hairline for years before I realized I'm sensitive to fragrance, SLS (suds in shampoo) and sulfates. A lot of creams and cleansers haves SLS or soap elements that cause more me more breakouts than I had before using them. Laundry soap can cause problems too. Good luck!
Do you lean on your chin while working? Touching skin often creates breaking out.
You could also be developing acne rosacea which is an adult only condition. I, too, was acne free as a teen and developed acne on my face in my early thirties. Here is a web site describing it and it's treatment.
http://www.medicinenet.com/rosacea/article.htm#1whatis
If it's only pimples on your chin it's probably not rosacea.
I really didnt have acne as a teen either. I notice i get it now (34) if i use Dove soap on my face. I LOVE the smell and re try every year or so. Right now, i have used it a week and have a few breakouts. Maybe it is your soap? I dont have problems with dial. I just dont love the smell as much as dove :)
Breast milk. Seriously - just read it on another thread around here....
