Bride breakouts!

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It's a little weird but I have been doing the oil cleansing method for the last 6 months and my skin has never been clearer. I have oily skin and this has regulated it so it's not as oily anymore. And if I get a pimple they're small and heal within a few days. It's not for everyone and you have to make sure to use the right oils for your face. I use a small amount of castor oil and then twice that amount of grapeseed oil. I rub it gently into my dry skin for 3-5 minutes then with a warm water I use a washcloth and hold it against my face to open my pores. Then I gently wipe off the extra oil, pat my face with a paper towel and use witch hazel after.

I take minocycline. It's an oral anti biotic and works wonders.

I used to deal with terrible acne. While it's mostly under control, I sometimes have freak breakouts. One happened a week before prom. I called my doctor who gave me an antibiotic Rx. They can't sustain acne control, but for a quick, week before fix (or in anticipation of a breakout) it works like a charm. I plan on taking them before my wedding. Talk to your doctor and see what they say.

Disclaimer: I know extended antibiotic use is not advised. But many doctors use antibiotics to maintain hormone induced acne (like for teenagers or around your period). You'll obviously need your doctor to support this decision. I have a very good relationship with mine which is why I'm counting on it. It's worth a discussion especially if normal acne management is not working for you.

I also break out heavily when I'm stressed. It sounds simple, but the most effective thing for me is to avoid touching my face and cleanse daily (I use neutrogena). I also avoid putting anything "extra" on my face when I'm stressed out or near the time of the month- thick makeup, masks, etc. I have very sensitive skin as well so i'm wary of other treatments.

To go off of what Greta said, an antibiotic may be effective, but remember that if you are using birth control pills you should use a backup while on antibiotics. Just thought I'd give that heads up in case your wedding night plans include a little hanky panky

Paula's Choice BHA 9 on any trouble spots I feel brewing. Its pricey, but its a miracle worker and seriously nukes those little suckers within hours without drying out the area.

I oil cleanse to remove makeup, and follow with Paula's Choice 8% aha gel all over, then my moisturizer. I use her weekly resurfacing treatment once a week. Works pretty well for keeping everything exfoliated and my pores clear, and my skin seriously normally loses its shit right before my period.

For the past 3 months I've done the following: wash my face twice a day with CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, followed by Acai Cleansing Toner by Carol's Daughter (you have to rinse this off with water), and lastly CeraVe SPF moisturizer. They have a night cream but I just use the SPF moisturizer twice daily for now. My skin is naturally oily, so this regimen has really helped to balance my skin and keeps the extra shine and pimples at bay. Also, tried and true= drink plenty of water.

@Kelsey - Only one antibiotic affects birth control (and it's an antibiotic used exclusively to treat TB). Your doctor should be aware of your medications and choose an antibiotic that's appropriate for you. I've been on at least a half a dozen different antibiotics and my doctor assured me I had nothing to worry about. Not trying to be argumentative, just want to make sure people have the facts before making a decision

Greta not sure that's true. Everyone should consult a doctor when mixing two medications. We don't want any unplanned pregnancies here!

Anyway I use clean and clear persa gel 10. It's a spot treatment so you wouldn't want to use it all over. But it's like the magic eraser for zits in an emergency.

Thank you everyone! I am definitely making a trip to the store today to see what I can find. I am really at the point that I will try anything.

@MNB - Please don't take my word for a doctor's advice. Like I said, you should always talk with your doctor about medications you're on. But my point simply was, not all antibiotics affect birth control, and your doctor should be able to guide you to a safe choice. Basically, don't count it out as an option because you don't want to have to deal with other birth control methods. I'd also hate for any brides on here to read this and avoid taking their antibiotics because they're afraid of getting pregnant. If your doctor is aware of all your medications, they will always make you aware when one will affect the other.

@MN Bride my OB gave me a migraine medication that is prescribed to pregnant women (most of the medication makes you sleepy so you can only take at night and I needed something at all times). I filled that and my birth control and my pharmacist told me if I planned on taking the migraine meds it would counter act my birth control. So yeah I can totally see that happening!

@ Greta try not to buy any drug store products! In my experience they have only made me break out more. Some manufacturers will actually put ingredients in there products that cause break outs so you purchase more with them I didn't get anything under control until I started using First Aid Beauty face wash- the red clay one. It's $25 at sephora but it lasts a while. I also started using better make up products instead of whatever was on sale at CVS.

@M&L - ? I didn't say anything about drug store products? I was exclusively talking about a Doctor Rx for antibiotics. Were you talking about someone else?

I strongly advise talking with a dermatologist. I have acne prone skin and visiting a dermatologist and getting a prescription cream clears it up with visible results within a couple days. It took some time to find the right combination prescription for my skin (not too drying but still effective) so I'd start right away. If you don't see results, try again.

All good suggestions so far but if you stress-eat sugary or greasy foods they can definitely add to the problem so avoid those

I'm not sure you should be trying so many different products because you don't know how your skin will react - it could make it worse. My skin is super sensitive so I had to forgo anything that has SLS or ALS.

My suggestion would be to go see a dermatologist instead.

Same. I swear by my clarisonic and proactive. I also have a prescription for a acne cream, but that was because I am on BC...

Also the more products you try, the more you will break out. You skin will react to different face washes and products by breaking out or getting red because that skin is sensitive. In order to see if a product actually works, you need to use it for at least 6 weeks but preferably 12 weeks.

I actually use warm water. Nothing else. I've tried so many different products over the years and finally just gave up recently and decided I was going to give my skin a break for a while. Then go see a derm or try the oil cleansing method.

While giving it a "break" it's totally cleared up. I have one small pimple here or there, but usually it's cause I didn't wash off my makeup or time of month. I literally just use hot water in the morning in the shower and then leave it the eff alone. I think anything else was just doing way too much to it and it was freaking out and producing lots of oils and crap.

I say I have tried tons of products but that's over the years since i've been a teenager. I always try something for at least 2 months and then if it doesn't work I try something else for again 2 months or more. I don't feel the need to go to a dermatologist and get prescribed a medication because I know the breakout are stress related due to the wedding getting so close. I strongly dislike taking medications especially if there is another way to treat something. I really wish I could find a natural way to cure breakouts or at least one that doesn't have damaging chemicals.

Based on your last post, you should try oil cleansing OP. It's natural and does work well, just do your research to make sure you find the right oils for YOUR skin type and problems. Different oils treat different issues.