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Originally Posted by lgg64
This could be my issue... PMS symptoms seem a bit worse this month... along with my skin... this makes sense.... I will try the witch hazel and keep you updated. Thank you for the responses peeps....
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Hi, Igg! I'm an esthetician, so I've got a little advice.
Be sure you're using a soap free, oil free, gentle, deep cleanser (preferably one without parabens). Neutragena Naturals is a good one. Don't use soap - it cleans the surface of the skin, but not into the pores.
If you're breaking out in bony areas, like the chin, it's likely testosterone. If you're breaking out around your hairline, could be something in your hair care products. It's true that our hormones can be greatly affected by diet. If you're seeing a ND, ask if you need a liver support supplement to help - the liver is where we manufacture testosterone and estrogen. (Here's a fascinating article on the role of liver and hormones:
http://www.womensinternational.com/c...ons/liver.html)
Witch hazel is a good toner, but you shouldn't need one if you're using a quality cleanser.
Blue LED light is the acne treatment of choice for me - can be drying, so use an oil-free moisturizer if you need one. The Sirius Aurora SS-77 LED Light system is a good buy on Amazon (under $100 and comes with red light for anti-aging and green for anti-inflammatory/pigmentation issues). I saw something similar at Target once, too, with blue light in the skin care/acne treatment area.
Resist the urge to touch your face and spread bacteria.
You can also try using bentonite clay (available at Super Supplements and similar stores). Mix with water or a bit of lemon juice and let it dry on the spots to absorb extra oil and repeat a few times a day.
Avoid harsh scrubs like apricot kernel based scrubs. Using fine salt or sugar mixed with your cleanser is one alternative choice, if your skin can tolerate it. Otherwise, exfoliate with AHA or retinol to keep the sebum flowing out rather than trapped inside the pores.
I hope this helps.