Did anyone here get postpartum acne or bad skin during the pregnancy or after?

[MamitaM]

My rocasea was under control for the most part but since my son was about 2 months old my acne has been terrible! I sometimes don't want to leave the house it's so bad and I feel so ugly.I finally spent some money on a new skin care line and some Cover FX foundation and a good concealer and powder just so I can go out and not look to bad. Did anyone else suffer from bad skin after their baby? What did you do about it?

[Knitting Mama]

Yes, I got a lot of acne after the baby, what with all the raging hormones. My tips for keeping it to a minimum:

1. Don't overwash. Drying your skin out makes the flare ups worse
2. Use witch hazel instead of a toner.
3. Make sure you moisturize well with a non-comedogenic moisturizer (I use Japanese camellia oil!)
4. Keep makeup to a minimum; wash it off with very gentle cleanser (I use an oil cleaning method) when you get home.

I really don't recommend doing a lot of stuff to your face. The more products you use, the worse it tends to get. Less is best! Some neutral oil (for me, camellia oil. Sunflower, grapeseed, even olive oil, work as well), some witch hazel, some cleansing pads, and that's about it!

[Terrilein]

I have acne, period. After  dd's birth it was just horrible. I am since become an OCM convert and highly recommend it.

[3Taureans]

Yes, mine is terrible!  My son is now 17 months and my acne only seems to be getting worse.  I attribute it to hormones (still nursing) and not getting any sleep at night.  I feel like I've tried everything to no avail.  I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this thread for any other suggestions.

[McGucks]

I have a whopping case of keratosis pilaris (a form of eczema that concentrates mostly on the upper arms and thighs/hips).  I only ever had it on my arms until DS2 last March.  Now it is all over my legs and I hate it.  I am so embarrassed.  It is very genetic and DS2 already has it, though he just has what looks and feels kind of like sandpaper.  I posted about it on MDC and found out that it's not uncommon for skin conditions to flare up post-partum.  Ug.  I definitely know what you mean about feeling awful to go out in public.  I pretty much cover every square inch of flesh with clothes year round.  Some prescription stuff helps, but it never can actually cure it.  I am sorry for you.  I know it feels awful.  Good thing our babies love us the way we should love ourselves...just the way we are.

[MamitaM]

I started the OCM and liked it, only did it a few times though. My skin did seem softer. The woman at the pharmacy said that if I had rosacea I shouldn't use Castor oil though. I got something called Etival instead. I got the cleanser,night cream and mask to use once a week. The night cream I use in the day as well instead of day cream b/c she said not to use the one SPF in it right now. I've used it for a week and so far so good. She gave me a sample of another cream to help with the redness as well.

When my son was 2 months old it started with a nice big zit on the side of my mouth, a few days after our pictures were supposed to be taken (we got snowed in so we missed our appointment) and we haven't re booked b/c I want to look good for the pictures.

[Knitting Mama]

Originally Posted by MamitaM 

I started the OCM and liked it, only did it a few times though. My skin did seem softer. The woman at the pharmacy said that if I had rosacea I shouldn't use Castor oil though. I got something called Etival instead. I got the cleanser,night cream and mask to use once a week. The night cream I use in the day as well instead of day cream b/c she said not to use the one SPF in it right now. I've used it for a week and so far so good. She gave me a sample of another cream to help with the redness as well.

When my son was 2 months old it started with a nice big zit on the side of my mouth, a few days after our pictures were supposed to be taken (we got snowed in so we missed our appointment) and we haven't re booked b/c I want to look good for the pictures.

My secret? I don't use the castor oil!  I just firmly massage with my camellia oil and rinse well, then I use the same oil as a moisturizer. It works really, really well if you have dry skin.