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29 Going on…15!?

Yup, you read that right! 29 going on 15…..or at least that is what my face has been seeming to say lately.

Growing up, I always had nice skin (not to toot my own horn or anything, but I did!). I always got compliments on how nice and clear my skin was. At age 13, 15, 16, 19….great skin. That is the time when most teens are a mess of raging hormones and their skin looks closer to craters on the moon than nice and clear. But I was always blessed with a nice, clear complexion.

I had my second baby when I was 28. During my pregnancy I still had nice skin….maybe a little rosy cause I was always so damn hot, but still clear none the less! Then a few months after having my son….I noticed my chin was getting these raised red bumps. Sometimes white bumps. Sore, tender bumps deep in the skin. Itchy, red flaky skin. I try to cover it up with foundation and concealer and it (sometimes) works at the beginning, then a few hours later, it can get red and dry and be noticeable again.

Hi, my name is Crystal, I am 29 and have acne. This IS NOT supposed to happen!! My forehead and cheeks….still clear. My chin and directly under my nose, now that is another story. I’ve tried washes and creams with salicylic acids; light, hypoallergenic ones; ones that claim to make you radiant; expensive ones from spas; and even tried plain water. Nothing seems to make it any better. My eating also doesn’t seem to influence it too much. When I am eating healthy and drinking tons of water - still there. When I eat junk….ok, well maybe it gets a little worse. Around the time of my ’monthly cycle’ it really flares up (which is where I’m at now and is driving me crazy enough to write about it!). It gets red and itchy and is the worse it will be all month.

I remember my mom (she passed when she was 36, me 14) saying the same thing. She always had great skin and towards the end would get huge (and I mean HUGE) pimples on her chin. She couldn’t figure it out. Maybe it is genetic!? I dunno. But I know I hate it. I also know I am not alone. I have heard numerous people my age complain about similar break outs, and when getting a facial last fall, the esthetician said she is seeing it more and more frequently with ladies over 30.

What about you!? Do you suffer from less than fab-u-lous skin as you are aging, or is your skin good? (If so, I am sending you a ’lil jealous look! Just saying! ) Do you have any tips on what might calm my skin or help my breakouts!?

 
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Comments (16)

  1. Saturday - 18 / 08 / 2012 Reply
    New post: 29 Going on...15!? #ovmoms
  2. Erin
    Twitter:
    Saturday - 18 / 08 / 2012 Reply
    Crystal, I have to say that while I have never had good skin (so it's a problem I battle with regularly!) I do dislike a lot of the things that happen to your body post-pregnancy / post-baby. I've had a few benefits (less oily skin, better cramps when it comes to my periods, etc.) but most of the differences have been terrible (ie: my Uma Thurman ninja va-jay-jay that I wrote about a few days ago). So while I am not necessarily battling with new breakouts (just the ones that have always been there), I am dealing with other things that also suck! LOL
    • Crystal M Saturday - 18 / 08 / 2012 Reply
      Being a woman is just nutso! The things our bodies go through having kids, it is a wonder we can even walk around afterwards! ;)
      • Erin
        Twitter:
        Saturday - 18 / 08 / 2012 Reply
        Agreed!
  3. Julie MacDougall Sunday - 19 / 08 / 2012 Reply
    One idea that might be worth a try, I read or heard recently that breakouts in those locations can actually be an allergic reaction to your toothpaste! Try washing those areas off gently with just water after you brush and maybe take an antihistamine if you can. Like Erin I suffered with bad skin for ever, from teenager to 40 year old, it was miserable. I finally said that's it and have taken low dose accutane since I was 40. It is amazing and I finally have great skin, I don't have to spend time trying to cover it up or be self-conscious about how awful I look. I highly recommend it to those with serious prolonged acne, but only after you are done having children because of the birth defects!
    • Crystal M Monday - 20 / 08 / 2012 Reply
      Thanks Julie, I hadn't heard that! And will ask my dr about the Accutane if things dont get better....this shop is closed for baby making ;)
      • Julie MacDougall Monday - 20 / 08 / 2012 Reply
        They might want you to try some antibiotics first. I had been fighting acne for over 20 years and had tried everything OTC and prescription already when I finally said enough, none of this works, lets try accutane.
  4. Shannon Fraser Monday - 20 / 08 / 2012 Reply
    Great read Crystal! I to have been battling horrible acne for the last few years! I can honestly say I have tried everything. All the rubs and potions in the world have not helped! Please keep me posted if you find something that works for you because I have exhausted all my avenues on this!!!!!
    • Crystal M Monday - 20 / 08 / 2012 Reply
      Thanks Shannon, at least I am glad to know that it is not just me, but it does really suck doesn't it!? If I find anything I will for sure update!
  5. Melissa Monday - 20 / 08 / 2012 Reply
    Hi Crystal, I've never had the greatest skin but I finally found a combination that worked for me. I use Proactiv and it's true what they say - it gets worse before it gets better. I was patient and finally started seeing results. Along with the proactiv I use a prescription topical solution called Dalacin. It's really strong but since I've using this combo I've only had the occasional breakout and it's usually when I get lazy with my skin care routine. Hope this helps.
    • Crystal M Tuesday - 21 / 08 / 2012 Reply
      Thanks Melissa! I have often wondered about Proactiv, but never bought it to try. Do you find it expensive? Or expensive but worth it? Thanks for your tips! :)
      • Melissa Ryan Tuesday - 21 / 08 / 2012 Reply
        Hi Crystal. It's a bit expensive but it is a worthwhile expense in my opinion. Acne is not fun and especially not at our age. I don't wear make-up day-to-day but find that when my face has broken out I wear a lot more which just tends to exacerbate the problem. Using the proactiv/dalacin combo has worked better for me than anything else I've tried. It's fairly easy to find too. There are kiosks in every mall in Ottawa but I tend to buy from the Canadian Home Shopping Channel(http://www.theshoppingchannel.com). I think it's a bit cheaper if you sign up for the refill package which sends you new bottles every 3 months. If you do decide to try Proactiv be patient! It takes awhile to start working. I'm not sure how common it is to get a prescription to Dalacin. My family doctor was willing to let me try because she knew my history with acne problems. Happy to answer more questions you might have here or on Facebook :o)
        • Crystal M Tuesday - 21 / 08 / 2012 Reply
          Thanks so much for the info! I think I may look into Proactiv to start! Will be in touch if I have any other questions! Thanks again! :)
  6. Kate Sunday - 26 / 08 / 2012 Reply
    I would also strongly suggest Arbonne Clear Advantage. It's the acne treatment line similar to other companies suggested. One difference is there's no parabens, no artificial fragrances added and is vegan certified. Let me know if you're interested. I used to use Proactiv but it was bleaching my towels and sheets if I didn't remove all of it (I'm assuming that's what caused it). So it made me wonder if it was doing that to my towels, what is it doing to my skin? It did clear it up...but at what cost? I've had troubled skin ALL my life. It was better when on birth control but I feel like I have teenage skin again :(
    • Crystal M Monday - 27 / 08 / 2012 Reply
      Thanks Kate, something else to look into to help as well! I have noticed the bleaching you speak of in the past with other products as well. I ruined a lot of towels and face cloths due to discolouring due to the salyic acid in the products. Its true, what is it doing to our faces if it does that to our linens!

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