Products that Helped my Acne from PCOS

So, it's been a while since I have spoken about my Acne.  Mostly, because (knock on wood) it's been pretty good.  I have slight breakouts around my period - but it's manageable.  I feel much better about my skin - the acne, that I had was painful... I'm glad those days are hopefully behind me now.

Here is what I use to keep my skin healthy.

I love this formula.  I noticed a difference in my skin after completing the first bottle.  I would highly recommend this.  

I love this face wash.  I remember my mother as a kid, had a favorite nail polish color - and was crushed when they discontinued it.  At the time I couldn't understand being so connected to a product.  Now, I get it.... I would be devastated if this face wash wasn't around anymore.  I have used it's for the past 2 years.  It removes makeup like a dream (even eye makeup), and makes my skin feel amazing.  

This is a great product.  Just enough coverage in a super charged moisturizer all in one.  If I do happen to have acne - this covers well.  Feels like velvet going on - and doesn't upset the ph balance in my skin.  

I just started using these again, and I think they make a huge difference in the appearance of my skin.  I use the nose strips about once a week.  I think I bought a pack of 14 for about 8.00, sometimes you can even find a coupon.  

Acne.... stinks!

PCOS ACNE

Ugh, this acne is the pits.  It really really hurts too!

 My Face looks and most importantly feels awful.  I can't stand it.  I am trying not to pick  - which doesn't do any good anyways since they are not budging.  I have not had a bad break out like this in a long while  -I didn't miss it..... and kinda thought I was over all this.

It's bothering me so much I didn't want to leave the house today - slapping makeup on this will only make it worse.  So I am letting me skin breathe and hopefully it will clear up before the weekend.

Truly a huge BUMMER.  I think it's safe to say that my period is most on it's way.

DCI for PCOS Progress Post

Chrial Balance DCI Progress 
The Journey:

Below what you will find is weekly progress of weight and acne.  

I started 2 pills daily of DCI on Jan 16th.  (I am also taking daily MetforminER and a multi-vitamin)  

For the first two days I was taking them after I ate breakfast, I called the company and they suggested taking the supplement before food in the AM... which I switched up right away.    

For those not aware read about DCI for PCOS here:D-chiro-Inositol 

1/16/2012 Start

 Weighed in @ 158.00
*frequent breakouts (sorry I deleted the "first week" photo I took of my acne by accident)

1/23/2012 Week 1

Weighed in @ 158.8
* I notice tiny bit less acne - no real big change

A Glamorous Up the Nose Shot! lol

(no makeup, photo taken using i-phone)

So as you can see there is not much improvement in weight (bummer) I can't believe the scale went in the other direction! 

However, I have noticed that the were less painful breakouts.  My skin is a teeny tiny bit clearer.  So, that is a step in the right direction.  Usually each week I have a few really painful zits brewing, this week only one I notice so far.  

I have even been a little lazy and if I wasn't wearing makeup, I skipped washing my face once or twice before bed.  I always wash my face in the morning, that I never skip... I know by then it's really to late.  

It's hard to stay motivated throughout this process, because.... like any other  American gal I want instant gratification!  

I know, I know "one step at a time".  Here's is hoping for the best.  

1/30/2012 Week 2

Weighed in @ 158.8

* Painful Zits & no period, I'm pretty unhappy.  Face very irritated.

2/6/2012  Week 3

Weighed in @157.6
* My face and forehead totally broke out this week.  It was awful, but I think it was due to my PERIOD!, yep that's right you read it correctly..... I got my period - only lasted for 2 days, but I would say was about the same "flow" as when I would take Provera (script for a medical induced with drawl bleed "period") very exciting week! 

2/13/2012 Week 4

Weighed in @ 157.8

*Face irritated, slept in Makeup one night.  

No real great improvement in skin or weight.  I do notice not looking so bloated though.  That's got me feeling a tiny better about things.  Just got to keep on keeping on!  

2/20/2012 Week 5

Weighed in @ 157.6

* Face is the best it's been in a while.  Feeling slightly better.  Note: since starting the DCI, I missed Saturday's dose this weekend.  

2/27/2012 Week 6

 Weighed in @ 158.2

*Face is again best it's looked in a long while.  Feeling a tad bloated, but overall happy with my condition of my face.  Wore makeup more frequently this past week.  Feeling much better about the condition of my acne.  I also noticed less of the "darker" hairs that I once noticed on my face as well.

                     
3/5/2012 Week 7

Weighed in @157.2 

*Face is irritated more so then last week.

  

3/12/2012 Week 8

Weighed in @ 156.8

* Referrer to Acne.... Stinks Post. For Pics.

3/19/2012 Week 9

Weighed in @ 157.0

* Acne much better then last weeks outbreak.

3/26/2012 Week 10

Weighed in @ 155.6 

* Acne okay 

4/2/2012 Week 11

Weighed in @ 154.8

* Acne was really bad before and right after period, which I have not experienced before.

I'm wearing makeup in this pic.... I have to go to the DMV today and get a new ID.

4/16/2012 Week 12

Weighed in @ 154.4 

*Acne Better no real complaints.  Couple white heads that popped easily ( l know, I shouldn't touch them but I could not leave them along & healed quickly).

4/23/2012 Week 13

Weighed in @ 152.6

*No complaints about Acne Much Much Better!!

4/30/2012 Week 14

Weighed in @ 152.6

*MAJOR ACNE - I GOT MY PERIOD THIS MORNING!!

5/14/2012 Week 15

Weighed in @ 151.8 

* Face looks good no real complaints this week. I just noticed I have been a bit of a slacker with my progress posts.  I also started taking Vitamin D this week.  I'm wearing a slight amount of makeup today, powder and blush.  

5/22/2012 Week 16

Weighed in @ 151.2

* No real complaints, seems to be okay.  Today I had a surge on my Ovulation Test Kit - felt a little sick to my stomach with slight cramping.  

5/29/2012 Week 17

Weighed in @ 149.4

* Things seem to be going well.  No complaints... white heads not real problems though.

6/05/2012 Week 18

Weighed in @ 150.60

Thought I would have had my period by now, waiting........ 

6/21/2012 Week 20

Weighed in @ 150.80

No news really.

7/2/2012 Week 21

Weighed in @ 148.2

Acne around my chin has been really hard to deal with this week.  I expect my period soon, so that is most likely the case.  The number on the scale makes me happy, starting to go down in the right direction again.  

8/14/2012 Week 27

Weighed in @ 147.9 (it's been a while since my last post, sorry)
Not many acne concerns lately.  I expect my period soon.  The number on the scale makes me feel okay - wish it was still descending.  

9/6/2012 Week 30

Weighed in @ 148.2

PCOS ACNE and taking Photo's....

Zits, pimples, black heads, white heads, cysts..... whatever you call 'em.... I have them and I loath them.  I never experienced acne growing up, only in my 20's. I feel really awful with a face full of zits all the time, and constantly think (see* obsess)  about it.  I have slowly come to realize that I just can't control it.




While On birth control the acne would greatly improve but now that I want a baby TTC  birth control pills are not an option.  Metformin  & MetforminER so far have helped with the Acne, but by no means has it gone away.  I still have breakouts very often.  I can tell when a breakout is coming, because my entire face is sensitive to the touch around the soon to be pimple.  I am admittedly a picker too.  I just can't leave a white head alone - I know it's bad but I just can't help myself.


My breakouts are centered around my chin and mouth, which according to my dermatologist is purely hormonal.  I have been given every topical prescription a try and nothing works.  The medicine just dries out my face in addition to a host of acne.  Having constant acne is really hard on my self-esteem.  Acne is a constant throne in my side.




I love taking pictures and ppl. have told me I am very annoying about it.  Since my struggle with acne I noticed I was shying away from the camera - and in some cases wouldn't even bring it out. I realize now that is silly....I know now I want the memories.  My parents have loads of pictures from when we are kids and I love looking at them, it's important to me to document!  So en light off my acne prone skin, I have become a huge fan of photos that are not in focus, dark, or far away- it draws less attention in my opinion to my face I feel comfortable taking the pics.... and I still will have the memories documented.    See examples below.

A glamorous far away photo of me!
December 2011 

A glamorous fuzzy photo of me!
November 2011

A glamorous Dark photo of me!
NYE 2011