I'm 28 years old and I've been dealing with acne since I was 20 - it always flares up right before my period. I've tried various products but nothing seems to really work. I'd like to know if there's a specific routine that works for this type of acne or if I should really just go see a dermatologist.
There's no point spending money on miracle routines if it's hormonal acne - this isn't something you fix with products alone, you really need professional help! A dermatologist can assess whether you need hormonal regulation, prescribe something like isotretinoin or even recommend contraceptives, because that's often where the real solution lies.
As for your routine while you wait for an appointment, keep it simple: gentle cleansing (don't overdo it because it'll irritate your skin even more), a good sunscreen and maybe a light retinol at night if your skin can handle it - but honestly, with hormonal acne, skincare is just a complement, not the actual treatment!
Have you tried talking to a dermatologist first? Because I agree that hormonal acne doesn't resolve with skincare alone, but that doesn't mean products are useless - it's more that they work better when combined with treatment that addresses the root cause. A derm can suggest anything from birth control to isotretinoin depending on severity, and in the meantime a simple routine (gentle cleansing, lightweight moisturizer, sunscreen, and maybe a retinoid if they say it's safe) keeps your skin from getting irritated and lets the hormonal treatment work better. People want to sell miracle creams but the truth is most girls with hormonal acne only sort it out when they deal with what's happening in their body, not their face - but you can still take better care of it while you're waiting.
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