No More Guessing. No More Picking. Just What’s Actually Working on My Skin.
This Wasn’t Supposed to Be a Thing at This Age
At this point in life, I thought I’d have a handle on my skin. I’ve been through bad foundation, hormonal swings, and years of figuring out what my face needs. But then perimenopause showed up—and my chin decided it was time for round two of hormonal hell.
What I’m talking about isn’t a few bumps. These are deep, painful, under-the-skin cysts that sit on your jawline like they own the place. Hard, swollen, and impossible to ignore. And if that wasn’t enough, I also started getting tiny white hard bumps under the skin—milia or closed comedones—that look poppable but absolutely are not.
And yes, I tried.
And yes, I made it worse.
We’ll get to that.
What Perimenopause Did to My Skin
This isn’t just a skincare issue—it’s hormonal. During perimenopause, estrogen levels start to dip, while androgens (male hormones) hang out unchecked. Androgens tell your oil glands to kick into overdrive, which leads to clogged pores, inflammation, and breakouts that hang around for weeks and heal slow.
So not only is your skin breaking out, it’s also more sensitive, slower to heal, and more prone to dryness.
It’s like a cruel joke—your skin is breaking out like you’re 15, but suddenly dry, sensitive, and irritated by everything you used to love.
What Finally Helped After Years of Guessing
After trying what felt like every product on the market and wasting too much money on things that only made it worse, I went to a dermatologist who took one look and said: let’s stop guessing.
I went to Arsenault Dermatology in Bradenton, Florida. They didn’t just give me a one-size-fits-all approach—they worked with MedRock Pharmacy in Tampa to create a custom compound that finally gave my skin some peace.
My current prescription includes:
- Clindamycin (to kill acne-causing bacteria)
- Spironolactone (to calm hormonal oil production)
- Tretinoin (to boost cell turnover and prevent clogged pores)
This mix—topical, not oral—has been the most effective thing I’ve ever used. No overpromising. No “purging for three months” nonsense. Just steady, visible improvement.
I will say this: I ran out for 2 to 3 weeks recently, and sure enough, the cysts came back. It’ll take about 4 to 6 weeks to fully calm again now that I’m back on it. That’s how fast things can shift when hormones are involved.
The Food and Lifestyle Stuff That’ll Wreck Your Skin If You’re Not Paying Attention
Your skin reflects what’s going on inside and outside. And once I started paying attention to the things that made my face freak out, I started noticing a pattern. A cruel, cheese-and-wine-soaked pattern.
What tends to trigger a flare-up (even when I really wish it didn’t):
- Dairy — especially skim milk and anything with whey protein. Doesn’t matter if it’s organic. My chin still clocks it.
Lactose-free milk? I can usually get away with it—but it’s still cow’s milk, and if my skin’s already irritated, I’ll switch to oat or almond for a week and see what happens. - Sugar and high-glycemic carbs — cookies, crackers, cereal… basically all the comfort foods I want right before my period.
- Alcohol — particularly wine, and especially if I’ve had more than one glass and slept like crap. My face loves to punish me for date night.
- Stress — cortisol doesn’t just mess with your mood; it jacks up your oil production and turns your jawline into a stress map.
- Skincare or makeup products I don’t normally use — I don’t wear foundation and I’m not slathering on 12-step serums. My skin routine is boring on purpose:
- CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
- Ormedic Lip Gloss or Laneige Lip Mask
- Mascara, if I’m leaving the house
So when my face breaks out, it’s not because of product overload—it’s usually hormones, food, stress, or the fact that I ran out of my prescription again.
What Actually Helps Prevent a Breakout (Or at Least Keeps Things Calmer)
Once I started leaning into foods that support hormone balance and reduce inflammation, I noticed a major difference—not just in breakouts, but in how long they lasted and how fast I healed.
Some of my regulars now:
- Cruciferous veggies like broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts — are known for helping detox excess estrogen and supporting liver function.
But let’s be real: I hate broccoli and I hate Brussels sprouts. However, I will mix kale (and spinach) into my smoothies when I’m trying to behave. - Omega-3s from flax, chia, or salmon — these help with inflammation and skin hydration
- Zinc-rich foods like oysters, chickpeas, and cashews — zinc plays a big role in healing skin and regulating oil
- Slow, steady carbs like quinoa, sweet potatoes, lentils, and steel-cut oats — they don’t spike insulin, which keeps your oil glands from going rogue
- Spearmint tea — yes, I’m that person now, and it actually works. Studies show it can lower androgen levels, which means less oil, less inflammation, and fewer breakouts
Gentle At-Home Exfoliation That Won’t Trash Your Skin
- Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid
- The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5%
- Versed The Shortcut Overnight Facial
- CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
No more than twice a week. Your face is not a countertop. Don’t scrub it like one.
Over-the-Counter Retinoids That Won’t Turn on You
Always follow with a good moisturizer. Buffer it in with a hydrating serum if your skin’s on edge.
Let’s Talk About Picking
“Don’t do it. Seriously. Don’t—okay, wait, just this one. Ugh, that one too. WHY is it so satisfying?! Is it technically extraction if I use my knuckles?”
Meanwhile, you’ve got the wall-mounted magnifying mirror, a handheld mirror in one hand, and your ring light blasting like you’re about to film a tutorial—but really, you’re just stress-surgery-ing a bump and giving yourself a scar.
Put the mirror down.
Walk away.
Spot treat and move on.
Yes, it’s hard. Still, stop.
Final Take: What’s Working and What I’d Tell You If You Were Sitting Across From Me
Let’s keep this simple.
If you’re dealing with hormonal or cystic acne and you’ve been buying samples, scrolling reviews, testing every new “miracle product,” and blowing through money on stuff that leaves you guessing—it’s time to stop.
Go find a dermatologist or aesthetician who actually understands hormonal skin.
Not just someone who sells you product. Someone who’s trained in how perimenopause, hormones, and inflammation affect the skin. Someone who can help you build a real plan—with ingredients that target your specific needs. For me, that was Arsenault Dermatology and MedRock Pharmacy creating a custom prescription that finally gave my skin relief.
You don’t have to do this alone.