Treating hormonal acne when you can’t use oral meds or retinol products?

I’ve dealt with acne on and off my entire life. In the last handful of years, it’s mostly been hormonal acne that crops up around my mouth, chin, and jaw the week before/during my cycle and then goes away after. After doing a second round of accutane in 2022, it pretty much all but went away minus the occasional zit here and there.

Fast forward to the end of 2023, and my husband and I have decided to start TTC so I get off my BC. As expected my hormonal acne came back with a vengeance in the same cycle as mentioned above. I’m kind of at a loss for what to do because in a perfect world, I’d like to get back on Spiro (been on it in the past too) but since we’re actively ttc that’s not an option.

So I ask, has anyone had success with any topicals to treat specifically hormonal acne?

Here is my current routine for reference — my skin currently is definitely on the oiler side, but I can get dry patches esp. during the winter:

AM: Vanicream cleanser Byoma milky toner Either Vanicream Vit C OR clean and clear BP 10% as spot treatment Versed gel cream moisturizer Sunscreen (I have a few I rotate between)

PM: Versed cleansing balm Vanicream cleanser Byoma milky toner C&C BP 10% as spot treatment Byoma moisturizing rich cream

I feel you. I can take retinol but I can’t take birth control or access spiralactone and have had constant inflamed breakouts on my jawline off and on for years. I am also fair-skinned and am quite sensitive and benzoyl peroxide always causes my whole face to go red and burn even if I’m trying to only apply it to the breakout areas (jaw).

Following the replies here!

That’s so funny bc my skin hates retinol for whatever reason. I tried so hard to make it work and I could never get over the purge hump. BP works well for me after a breakout has already happened, but I guess I’m looking for something I could use all over that would be preventative.

Hopefully, someone has some good feedback for us! :crossed_fingers:t3:

My skin also hated retinol but I switched to CeraVe Encapsulated Retinol and it’s a much gentler and slow release I guess? So it doesn’t have the same immediate side effects.

With retinol in general though I believe you’re supposed to start with the lowest strength you can find (0.2%) and eventually build up if needed.

Yeah, I started with the lowest % of tret and never moved up bc my skin could never get used to it. :frowning: But that’s good to know that you like the CeraVe retinol! I’ve heard good things about it!

Winlevi (clascoterone). Made a huge difference for my hormonal/jawline/upper neck acne, particularly the deeper cyst like ones I would get. It did take some time (like 6-8 weeks).

Ok! That’s one script topical I have not tried yet. They always do take some time to start working. Would you say that you have “sensitive” skin? Or did it take you for your skin to adapt to the topical?

I do have sensitive skin (I couldn’t handle retin-A) but this didn’t bother me at all.

This is super helpful — thank you!