Post-summer breakouts: What works?

Look, after spending months lurking and reading about everyone else's struggles, I’ve finally decided to step up and lay out my own saga.
I’m 31 years old, and since puberty, it has been a non-stop war against breakouts, acne, scarring, spots, and those deep, painful bumps. It feels like there isn't a single known therapy I haven't cycled through—everything from Clindamycin and every flavor of antibiotic imaginable to Skinoren, benzoyl peroxide, birth control like Yaz, various estheticians, glycolic acid, and even cryotherapy... everything except Accutane.
I was on birth control for about five years, and honestly, it helped quite a bit. The breakouts didn't stop entirely, but the situation was significantly more manageable. It was at a point where I could actually focus on fixing the scars. Well, that’s where luck failed me; I stumbled right into the hands of a Dr. Miller and his so-called "miracle" methods, which just left me with a handful of fresh new scars. Dr. Miller ended up being blacklisted—partly due to his reckless techniques and partly because of some shady financial dealings. All I really needed was a dab of acne cream on a fresh breakout and something like an acne oxidizer on a popped one, plus a decent moisturizer, because all this aggressive "treatment" combined with aging means I'm starting to see fine lines.
Six months ago, I decided it was time to try for a baby. My OB-GYN told me to just stop the birth control and see what happens. Since I have PCOS, the risks are high—irregular cycles, acne, difficulty conceiving... and well, that is exactly what is playing out. My cycle is 👎 I didn't get pregnant, and the acne 😲
It started gradually, of course, but then it hit like a geometric progression 😉 steadily and surely—first one pimple, then three, then seven, then fifteen, then thirty-two... now my face is so inflamed it looks like I got stung by a swarm of bees along my jawline; I am completely red and swollen. And it hurts and it itcheshhhh... 😲 I suspect part of the reason is that I wasn't being nearly careful enough with sun exposure while at the beach. I simply didn't think it could impact things this much. I forgot. For years while I was on birth control, I used to tan without a second thought.
So, I get back from the coast, take a round of Geomicin, and nothing. I go to a dermatologist in downtown Chicago—the woman looks horrified, but she tells me she has something I haven't tried yet that will surely help. Erythromycin combined with benzoyl peroxide. The woman literally forgot that I had told her two minutes prior that I was ALREADY using THAT EXACT COMBO. Then she tells me to stop taking the Geomicin so I don't poison myself unnecessarily if it isn't working. So, I head home feeling happy, having wasted an entire morning for absolutely nothing.
In the meantime, I've started running tests—blood work, urine, thyroid, hormones... we'll see where things stand.
But—as often happens when a problem drags on this long—I’ve become a bit of a self-diagnosed doctor. I'm convinced the issue lies with my ovaries. They seem to be the source of all these "joys." As for what triggered them—I still don't know. So, I'm going to tackle that head-on and focus on getting ready for a baby. After that, we'll see.
Anyway, I would love to hear from anyone who has gone through something similar. And if my story helps someone else, I’ll be glad.
One thing I want to emphasize to everyone: do not buy those "REVOLUTIONARY" creams or any other nonsense. Take that money and spend it on a better haircut, some clothes, or a nice pair of shoes if you want to feel better. For acne and breakouts, the cure is somewhere inside you. You aren't going to fix it at a CVS or a Walgreens.
I'm also curious if anyone has experience with aromatherapy or homeopathy regarding this. Because, naturally, I have 🤣 but I don't feel like venting too much right now. Maybe another time when we revisit the topic.

Hey there, I’ve got almost the exact same struggle with PCOS—ovaries and acne, yay us!
I actually stopped taking Diane about two and a half years ago. Not trying to scare you, but my skin and cycle are still stuck in the same spot. I even went to see some "experts" over at Kaliterna and dropped a small fortune there. 🙄
Nothing seems to work for me specifically; I’ve tried it all. Being on this forum has made me realize that most of these products are basically just overpriced sludge. Right now, I’ve switched to an introduction to natural skincare because at least it doesn't dry my skin out even more. When those breakouts popped up after my beach trip, I scrambled to use a Vichy toner—which is honestly garbage, but at least my face responds slightly to salicylic and glycolic acids. Now, I just stay out of the sun entirely to try and keep things under control until my next facial (which, by the way, I only get once every four weeks).
Like you already mentioned, our issue is internal, and it's so hard to just sit around waiting for our hormones to regulate themselves. 😳

Anyway, come join us over in the PDF cosmetics group; we’re all just trying to tackle these visible skin issues together.

I find myself in much the same predicament as you. I have been struggling with this acne for what feels like an eternity, yet I can never seem to achieve any sort of lasting relief. 😢
I have tried everything you mentioned—antibiotics, Clindamycin, Skinoren, glycolic acid, and all those other useless concoctions! 🙂 On top of all that, I’ve dabbled in natural remedies, specifically those various oil blends they suggest in the
introduction to natural👎 guides. I suppose I went on an exhaustive search to finally pinpoint the actual "source" of these terrible breakouts. My blood work is fine, my hormones—both thyroid and reproductive—are normal, and my liver function is perfectly okay. However, my OB-GYN did discover some inflammation in my ovaries along with a nasty case of chlamydia.
I don't have PCOS, though. My doctor insists my skin issues stem from my ovaries, but I find that hard to wrap my head around because even back when my ovaries were perfectly healthy, my complexion was still a disaster. She also told me she wouldn't prescribe Diane because she believes it won't actually help my specific situation. 😍So far, the only thing that truly worked for me were the glycolic acid treatments at the local high-end spa. After maybe two or three sessions—roughly a month and a half—my face improved so significantly that I didn't even need to touch foundation;
I could just use a little concealer on a stray spot here and there. But now, my skin has returned to being a total catastrophe, and I am at a loss. I can't really go back for more treatments right away because the summer sun is still so intense. Do you happen to know when it might be safe to start using those acids again? 🙂As for the estheticians, they aren't much help when you ask them for advice; I suspect they would push you into a treatment in the middle of July just to line their own pockets!
😱And yes, I haven't ventured into Accutane yet... I suppose I was just intimidated by the potential side effects. A friend of mine is currently taking it, so I will probably observe how her experience unfolds before making a decision.
Anyway, I suppose I've rambled quite a bit... I feel as though I could write entire research papers on this whole mess.
Best, 👋

Here is another one. 😠

My face is breaking out again, and my back is just as bad. I have tried absolutely everything since my teenage years. Honestly, aside from basic cleansing without using fancy specialized products, I think everything else is just a waste of money. My doctors still haven't pinpointed the exact cause because everything looks fine, except for high prolactin levels.

The only thing that actually worked for me—and the one thing I always go back to—is a healthy diet! I haven't tried macrobiotics, but I am certain it would solve everything, given that following the Montignac system worked wonders for me.

Well, I suppose I only have myself to blame when I eventually let my guard down... It starts small, one chocolate bar here, a cookie there...

I guarantee you, the results will come (it takes about three months) and they will be long-lasting!!!!

Here goes nothing... 😬
I never had a single breakout in my life until a few years ago when acne decided to show up out of nowhere at age 25. Since then, it’s been an absolute nightmare trying to get rid of it. I’ve been through the wringer: seeing dermatologists, visiting specialists, getting professional facials, taking Diane, slathering on Skinoren, using jojoba oil... eventually, I just threw in the towel and tried letting my skin breathe, thinking maybe less was more. Spoiler alert: absolutely nothing worked. Not a damn thing. 😠
My skin actually cleared up a little while I was on vacation down in Florida, but ever since I got back home, my face has basically exploded, and my back and chest aren't faring any better...
Recently, I started using some Merz Special because a friend swore by it, so I figured, why not? But honestly, I’m not seeing any real difference yet. 😳
I’m heading back to the doctor this week, so fingers crossed they can actually figure out what the hell is going on...

I’ve been struggling with this stuff for years. Seriously, I tried everything you guys mentioned—wasted a fortune on endless piles of skincare, bounced between gynecologists, dermatologists, and endocrinologists. It felt like a full-time job. Finally, about three years ago, I was put on Accutane and everything finally settled down. But then, last summer while I was vacationing down in Florida, my skin just absolutely revolted. I had this massive eruption of cystic acne, but specifically just on my neck. To make matters worse, my hair was falling out in clumps right into my hands. Since things went south so fast—literally within a week—I didn't wait around. I paid out of pocket for private testing because the local clinics were all booked up through August, and I couldn't get an appointment until late September or early October. And guess what? After all those tests, they still couldn't find a smoking gun. They just gave me the classic line: "It's probably just a hormonal imbalance caused by stress." Like, excuse me? What kind of "stress" happens when you're relaxing on vacation? Anyway, the breakout eventually cleared up, but it left behind these dark spots everywhere. I spent all winter trying to fade them with AHA acids. Most of them are gone now, but the damage is still visible, so I'll have to go through the whole treatment process again this winter.
Honestly, dear doctors, whenever you're stumped, just blame it on stress.

Ladies, thank you all so much for the input!
It honestly feels like this thread should just turn into an official support group—something along the lines of "You're beautiful even with 😛." Honestly, hearing that from my partner, my sister, my parents, or my best friend means the world to me lately. They usually catch me right when I’m mid-breakdown because, frankly, I’ve turned into a total monster overnight.
But,
looking at the consensus here, it seems most of you agree that everything we’ve tried so far has been nothing more than throwing money down the drain. It makes me wonder: what would my skin actually look like if I had just left it alone all these years? Then again, maybe I'm just kidding myself. Who knows...😎
I’ve made a conscious choice to stop stressing and obsessing over it. It isn't exactly easy, since I don't spend my days hauling boxes in a warehouse; I work in customer service, dealing with people, so naturally, everyone stares. But I've come to realize that this is just one of those things in life you have to learn to deal with. People out there have much, MUCH bigger problems than mine.
I just walked through the door and washed my face immediately. By the way, I cannot recommend the Hygiea Zincia cleanser enough. It’s super gentle and has a bit of zinc in it. I won't be applying anything else before bed, just some Aknemicin. Though, who knows, I might just act like a total baby and 😍
this too shall pass.

Grace Turner85 said:The one thing that actually worked for me—the one thing I find myself constantly returning to—is a strictly healthy diet. I haven’t ventured into macrobiotics yet, but I’m convinced it would solve just about anything. For my own situation, sticking to the Montignac system worked like an absolute miracle.

Dietary intake isn't just about fuel; it’s fundamental. To my mind, nutrition operates on an entirely different plane of existence. It is the bedrock upon which everything else is built. When you prioritize what you put into your body, you aren't just eating—you are ensuring that every single biological mechanism within your system functions with precision. You are striving for true physiological equilibrium. If you can achieve that state of internal balance, then disease simply doesn't have a foothold to take hold. 👍
I make a concerted effort to maintain a high standard of nutrition; I’m in the kitchen cooking from scratch every single day, ensuring my diet is heavily supplemented with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
I’ve been digging through several studies lately, and the evidence suggesting that milk and dairy products trigger acne breakouts is hard to ignore. It feels like because the big dairy industry holds such massive influence over our food systems, you rarely see anyone willing to speak the plain truth about what's actually happening. Because of that, I’ve made the decision to cut them out of my diet entirely. I won't even try to tell you how much I'm struggling with this; I absolutely live for cheese, milk, and everything else in that category. But then I start thinking about the sheer amount of hormones and antibiotics they pump into those poor cows, and I realize I'm basically just storing all those chemicals in my own body. Once I frame it that way, staying away from it becomes a lot easier to stomach.
I honestly think the exact same logic applies to how they raise chickens.
So, what I'm hearing is that I need to go out and find some old lady at a roadside farm stand who milks her own cow, makes her own cheese from scratch, and has absolutely zero concept of what antibiotics even are? Is that the play here?

I’ve officially made the switch to goat milk. Honestly, soy milk is just plain revolting. I mean, don't get me wrong, I actually enjoy soy in other contexts and have been making it more often lately, even if it is basically pure GMO sludge 🙂 Just kidding—mostly. I’ve been in a bit of a mood lately, so I figure I might as well swap out hormones and antibiotics for pesticides and GMOs just to shake things up a bit 🤣
Anyway, I haven't seen any actual results yet since I only started a few days ago 🙄, but I’m fairly certain this is the right move.
I just don't wrap my head around this whole macrobiotics thing 😕 It feels like you're supposed to eat stuff sourced from halfway across the globe, like some exotic ingredients from Brazil, Afghanistan, or Mozambique! Isn't a homegrown, organic tomato from a local farm way healthier than all that imported nonsense?

Betty Adams12 said:Right now, I’ve switched over to all-natural cosmetics because, at the very least, they don't strip my skin dry like everything else does.

Look, I’ve tried it all—aromatherapy and all that jazz. It isn't "bad," per se. In fact, I actually picked up some life lessons from that whole philosophy that have been genuinely helpful for my mental state. But let's be real: I simply couldn't justify dropping half my paycheck just to wait an eternity to see if my condition might *eventually* improve, or if I'll still be dealing with liver issues, kidney problems, or whatever other organ decides to act up next. I finally decided I'd much rather spend that money on a nice dinner or having someone I love pamper me with scented oils. I know that sounds like I'm trivializing a serious situation, but honestly? That's exactly how I feel right now.

Sandra Campbell9 said:I can't even think about starting treatments yet because the sun is still absolutely scorching! Do you have any idea when it’s actually safe to start messing around with those acids?
If you ask a professional aesthetician, they won't give you a straight answer—they'd probably try to sell you a full peel in the middle of July just to line their own pockets! 🙂

Man, I am telling you from firsthand experience—STAY AWAY FROM THE SUN! The UV index is staying high much longer this year, so don't rush into it. Wait until that dreary, gray autumn weather finally rolls in. In my opinion, that is the absolute prime time for any kind of chemical treatment. You’ll have just enough time to get your skin looking flawless by next summer... and then you can go right ahead and ruin it all again. 🤣

And honestly, please, keep venting! Isn't that exactly why we're all here? To let off steam, offer some comfort, and hopefully help each other out.

Brenda Rogers said:I struggled for years, trying everything you guys mentioned—tossing piles of expensive creams, hopping from gynecologist to dermatologist to endocrinologist. Eventually, three years ago, I was on Accutane and everything finally settled down. But last summer while I was on vacation at the beach, I had a literal eruption of cystic acne, specifically just on my neck. On top of that, my hair was coming out in clumps in my hands. Since this alarming situation hit me in literally one week, I went straight to a private clinic for testing because by late August everyone was out on vacation, and appointments weren't available until late September or early October. All in all, they couldn't find an actual cause; they just claimed it was a hormonal imbalance caused by stress... I mean, what kind of "deadly" stress occurs while you're relaxing at the beach? In the end, it passed just as quickly as it arrived, but I was left with a ton of dark spots that I spent all winter fighting with AHA acids. Most of them faded, but some traces remain, so I’ll have to repeat treatments again this winter.
So, dear doctors, when they have no clue what to say, they just blame it on stress.

I absolutely agree! They haven't a clue! Though, honestly, you can't put it all on them either. It's because we actually know so little about how our own bodies function that if a treatment actually works, I suspect it's mostly pure luck combined with a tiny, microscopic sliver of knowledge. Of course, I'm not talking about those incompetent doctors who barely glance at you and clearly didn't absorb much medical knowledge during their time in med school. Those people are a special breed of patient. 🙂
Stress is dangerous, and quite often, we don't even notice it happening. It disrupts the body's internal balance, leading to things like migraines, insomnia, ulcers, cancer... but we all know that, don't we? 👍 The real question is how to identify it and resolve it before it reaches the level where it starts causing physical damage. I'm still searching for the answer myself... all I know is that regular exercise truly helps me, both physically and mentally.

Oh, I have to go whip up some dinner; my husband will be home from work any minute now. 😍

Drew Peterson7 said:I've officially made the switch to goat milk. To be honest, I find soy milk pretty bland. Don't get me wrong, I actually like soy and have been making it at home more often lately, even though it's completely GMO. 🙂 I'm just messing around lately, so I figured I'd say I'm ditching the hormones and antibiotics to switch over to pesticides and GMOs—just for a change of pace. 🤣
Anyway, I haven't seen any results yet, but I only just started a few days ago. 🙄 But I’m certain it’s perfectly fine.
I honestly don't get this whole macrobiotic thing.😕 Are we really supposed to believe all this stuff comes from halfway across the world—places like Brazil, Afghanistan, or Mozambique? Seriously? Isn't there something much healthier in a backyard tomato grown by your grandma?

I haven't touched a drop of milk or any dairy products for over three months now, and I've cut my red meat consumption down to just once a week.
As much as I’ve wished my condition might be linked to growth hormones or GMOs, there hasn't been any change. My cycle remains unpredictable, and my skin hasn't cleared up either. Despite everything, the PCOS just persists.
The only thing I haven't tried is Accutane, but honestly, I have zero interest in going that route. Once I heard you aren't supposed to try for a baby for three years after your last dose, I was like, "No thanks." Besides, even if I did take it, it wouldn't actually address my main issue, which is my ovaries.
Honestly, my hormone levels come back looking fine almost every single time I get bloodwork done. But my doctor told me that those results don't actually mean anything; he argued that if my hormones were truly balanced, my cycle would be completely regular.
It feels like my hormones—estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, you name it—are doing fifty laps around my system every single day. My face and my mood shift literally by the minute. I can be sitting there with perfectly clear skin, only to have three painful, deep cysts pop up within ten minutes. And I don't even need a mirror to know what's happening; I can just feel a massive mood swing brewing before it even hits.
I’m honestly starting to lose my patience. It’s been two and a half years since I stopped taking Diane, and I really expected to see at least some progress by now, especially as I approach thirty.

It feels like we’re just spinning our wheels here... 😢
So, how are you doing on the baby front? I mean—do you have kids, or are you currently trying to conceive?
I’m finally at the stage where I want to start a family, so I can't help but wonder if any of this stuff actually impacts things. My doctor is practically breathing down my neck telling me to get pregnant AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. She insists there’s no such thing as an estrogen injection that mimics pregnancy. I keep holding out hope, but honestly, it feels like my PCOS ovaries have a mind of their own and they're calling all the shots...

So, I’m about to start Diane soon—honestly, I’m kind of spiraling thinking about what my skin is going to look like once I'm done with them. 😲
Given everything you ladies are saying here, I'm actually getting cold feet about starting at all... I really don't want to be on them long-term, especially since I'm planning on getting pregnant eventually.
Did anyone else find their skin got worse after Diane, or did it just sort of settle back to how it was before? 😕>

I was on Diane for six months and honestly, my skin didn't change one bit... it was like I wasn't even taking them.😕
And don't even get me started on the side effects, they were absolutely BRUTAL. I gained at least 15 pounds, plus all the mood swings and depression... yeah, those things did a number on me.👎

A friend of mine had really bad breakouts too, so she tried them, and after just four months her skin looked as smooth as a baby's bottom. She’s actually been on them for four years now because she's terrified if she stops, her skin will just revert back to being a total disaster.

I’m dealing with skin issues myself, especially since my skin is insanely sensitive and nothing seems to work for me. My bathroom cabinet is basically a graveyard of stuff from CVS and half of Walgreens.😁

Anyway, I finally booked an appointment with Dr. Mateša after seeing someone on here recommend her, so fingers crossed she can actually fix my face.😳
I am determined to be a bride with perfectly clear skin!!🙂

crimsonhound28 said:I’m starting Diane soon, and honestly, I’m terrified of what my skin is going to look like once I'm done with them. 😲
Based on what you ladies are sharing here, I'm getting cold feet before even starting because I really don't want to be on them for long (especially since I'm planning to get pregnant soon).
Did anyone else find their skin actually got worse after Diane, or did it just settle back to whatever state it was in beforehand? 😕

For me, nothing changed—my skin stayed pretty much the same before, during, and after Diane... 😬

Actually, looking back, I have a feeling those birth control pills were the culprit behind my acne. Before I ever touched them, my skin was absolutely flawless. I was on them for five years, and after my first extended break (I'd had two short three-month breaks in between where nothing happened), my face just completely broke out...
Then again, maybe it was just pure stress. Everything seemed to hit the fan all at once during that specific month, which obviously took its toll on me, and ever since then, the stress just seems to pile up. 😢

I honestly feel like I’ve become addicted to Diane. They didn't exactly solve all my skin issues, but they kept everything under control. Now that I've stopped taking them, my face looks abysmally worse than it ever has. On top of that, my moods swing every five minutes—I’ll burst into tears over something tiny, cause a massive scene, and then act like nothing even happened. It is exhausting to live this way, both for me and for everyone around me. But since I recognize what's actually going on, I'm trying my best to keep myself in check. Honestly, I’ve lost all sense of perspective; I can no longer tell if something is an actual objective problem or if it's just my own perception acting up. 😕
When I first started, the side effects were pretty mild. I gained a little weight and felt a bit depressed, but that passed relatively quickly. To be perfectly blunt, since I’ve been on Diane, I haven't had to go on a single diet in five years. I won't count the usual 5 to 10 pound fluctuations between summer and winter, because I consider that completely normal. Before this, I used to struggle with being up to 30 pounds overweight. As far as my mental state goes, I actually feel more balanced while taking them than I do without them.
I LOVE DIANE 😍

I’ve been reading through everything here and I honestly can’t help but wonder...
I can't help but feel like those of you struggling with mood swings might actually be dealing with some thyroid issues.

My husband suggested that was the case, but even after we went in for a full battery of blood tests to check my hormone levels, everything came back perfectly normal—we just couldn't catch anything.

I know my own body pretty well, though, and I can usually tell when things are about to spiral; I get this specific ache in my throat or neck area, and I know a total emotional meltdown is right around the corner. My mood just shifts in an instant.

Right now, I’m focusing on my diet. I’m working on losing some weight and hoping to get my system back in balance. After that, the plan is to tackle PCOS, fibroids, and fertility issues. I'm really hoping that once I sort those out, my nerves will settle down too.
Ultimately, my biggest dream is to have a healthy pregnancy and a beautiful, healthy baby.

I’ll be keeping a close eye on your posts. It seems like there is so much more going on here than just dealing with acne.

Wishing everyone the very best of luck with their health journeys and feeling confident in their own skin again.

You know how I’m constantly dealing with this weird sensation, like there’s a little lump stuck in my throat! For years, I suspected it might be my thyroid, but the issue never felt urgent enough to actually dive into. Or, to be more precise—I honestly didn't have a clue what I was even looking for.
Anyway, my doctor finally gave me a referral to get my thyroid checked out, but apparently, the local clinic near Mayo Clinic is completely incompetent and can't even run basic searches!!!!!!!
Now I'm left wondering if I should just pay out of pocket and go private. I have an appointment at the endocrinologist today, so I’d really like to get my other hormone levels checked while I'm at it. Can you believe it (well, of course you can...) that despite all these diagnosed issues, nobody has ever bothered to check my bloodwork, let alone my actual hormone levels...
Has anyone here gone through this privately? Where did you go and what kind of damage does it do to your wallet?