Constant cystic pimples! Advice?

Aug 12, 2011

Ana P.

Hi there, My skin isn't that bad, but for the first time since high school (I'm 34) I keep getting cystic pimples on my forehead and a few on my chin. Any advice or products that have help you?

Aug 13, 2011

Tamara R.

Have you changed any of your makeup, skin care or hair products lately?

Aug 13, 2011

Abigail R.

I would evaluate any new products that you have been using and try to take them out of your routine and see if there is a difference. If not definitely go to a dermatologist or your family physician. They can prescribe something for these types of breakouts. I don't think any products that are not prescription can really help cystic acne. But if I were to recommend one product it would be cetaphil. I love this product and it is soap free and very easy on skin. 

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Aug 13, 2011

Drea L.

That sounds like it could be hormonal. Going to your normal doctor can help - a small dose of Minocycline (100mg) a day sounds like it could clear your skin up pretty well. Especially if it's not recurring problem (years & years)

In the meantime, look for products with Benzoyl Peroxide in them. While your acne MAY be hormonal & forming from the inside out, the best you could do to treat them is a quick & easy spot healing cream.
A good one would be with 2.5% BP - it will dry out the pimple & help the look of it. But try not to do it TOO much, because it can make your skin flaky.
Neutrogena On-The-Spot Acne Treatment Cream is a 2.5% product. It's cheap & available everywhere. If you want something a little better - literally Googling "2.5% Benzoyl peroxide" & clicking on "Shopping" will give you hundreds of options.
A VERY gentle cleanser with Salicylic Acid may help. Salicylic Acid is more of a preventer, not a treater. It naturally exfoliates the skin & gets rid of layers of the skin little by little. It will help with getting any bacteria in your pores out of the skin. A 0.5 Salicylic Acid cleanser will work. Don''t use too much though, since it's a natural exfoliant.
Make sure to still moisturize your skin with your everyday moisturizer though, just to prevent any flaking these pimples might cause.



Also, if it's red & swollen a little bit of Ibuprofen (Advil, etc) can help with the appearance of it since Ibuprofen is a anti-inflamatory drug. :D Also, some ice can work too for a small quick fix.

Sorry this got long! I've been dealing with cystic acne since I was 12 & have studied a few things here & there to help. :)

Aug 13, 2011

Andrea F.

I get those every once in a while. I actually saw a study somewhere that cystic pimples can come from an overload of dairy in your diet. So maybe cut back on some dairy for a little bit and see if that's the cause?? 

Aug 13, 2011

Alexis B.

If you can cancel out the fact it is not a reaction to something you are either eating or putting on your skin and if you had tried the main drugstore rememdies, I would say to call your dermetologist. Only because I know they can leave scars, and he could possibly prescribe you something!

Aug 14, 2011

Ana P.

Thanks everybody! Yeah,BP is the method of choice to help shrink....I'm going to to the dairy thing and see a natropath. Could be my increase in usnig natural products. Oh how i wish they all worked!

Aug 14, 2011

Ana P.

Thanks Andrew B.,much appreciated. They are pretty uncomfortable and distracting (to me)...so a solution would be best!

Aug 14, 2011

Yasmin K.

Here's something to consider - you might have an allergy to something in your diet. For two weeks cut out dairy and processed sugar and see if your skin clears up. If it does you might have an intolerance to dairy and sugar which manifests itself as cystic acne.

Aug 15, 2011

Drea L.

Andrew - I would say that I agree, because when I get the usual. pimple I'm like "lol, oh well!" & cover them with concealer - no big deal. But cystic acne can be uncomfortable, hot & extremely painful & in some instances can become so large that they deform the natural contour of the face. Sometimes they can't be covered because the skin will reject pigment.
They can be VERY different from a normal zit.

Aug 15, 2011

Brittney L.

I LOVE what Andrew B said!!
but everyone wants their face to always look flawless, its human! lol
<3xox

Aug 19, 2011

Courtney C.

I echo the person who advised going to the doctor. I, myself, suffered from cystic acne in college when i'd never had a problem before. It wasn't severe but bad enough to bother me. I went to a derm and never looked back. they are there for a reason - to help people with skin problems. you don't have to look like the folks on the proactiv infomercials to see a derm. they won't laugh or send you home, they will help. i went on minocin for a year or so and now use topical stuff only. i use a prescribed antibiotic cream and wash my face with neutrogena oil free acne wash or other wash with salicylic acid. ever since i started seeing my derm, i've never fretted over my skin or worried about it. You can see from my profile pic that my face is clear but it wasn't always. good luck!

Aug 19, 2011

Kristina H.

Everything Andrew B said!

Go see a dermatologist and see what they have to say about it. If you are looking for a short term type of thing though, I found the Murad Acne Spot Treatment to help reduce the size. 

Aug 19, 2011

Becca B.

I've had issues with cystic acne for the past year or so. If possible, go see a dermatologist and get your hormone levels tested. Generally cystic acne is caused by a hormonal imbalance and therefore topical treatments won't change the chemicals in your body. However, you can try a few remedies at home. Cortisone cream can help with inflammation, as well as witch hazel or better yet, tea tree oil for its natural anti-bacterial properties. I feel your pain, though. Not only is cystic acne unsightly, it's painful and difficult to deal with if not treated properly. Hope you find something to alleviate the discomfort and inflammation!

Aug 19, 2011

Ana P.

Thanks Becca! Yes, I suppose it might be hormonal....one because I had a baby a year ago and 2 because stress can affect hormones, which I have been! Looking forward to seeing a Naturopathic Doctor in a few weeks. Thanks for the cortisone recommendation. ...I'm gonna try it.
I've gone to a Derm in the past, but I really want to remedy my skin problems in a different way this time. Smiles to you all! Thanks!

Sep 1, 2011

Annalese H.

I had the same thing went to my dermatologist and they perscribed me Acanya. It is a strong benzoil peroxide perscription. You put it on at night and it will help dry up the acne and the infection. I also use Differin 3 gel on my face in the morning. If you are getting alot of the cystic acne they may put you on an antibiotic to clear up the infected acne.