Many women with PCOS suffer from moderate to severe acne. Typically acne appears on areas of the skin that produce an excess amount of sebum. Sufferers of PCOS related acne tend to see blemishes on their jaw line, back and chest, areas that produce more sebum.  It can be hard to keep putting your best face forward when suffering from the acne that PCOS can cause.  Our appearance and what we perceive in the mirror is a difficult thing to ignore when trying to look our best. Adhering to PCOS guidelines; including proper diet, supplementation and exercise can put you on the road toward clearer more radiant skin.

 In the meantime here are some tips to control and mitigate the appearance of blemishes on your face and body.

·         Limit face washing to twice a day - You should wash your face twice a day with an acne specific face wash. Look for brands that contain salicylic acid. The acid will gently exfoliate your skin preventing clogged pores and additional blemishes.  Try limiting your face washing to twice a day. Do not scrub or use any sort of abrasive cloth. Over washing your skin will actually stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, thus increasing your acne. (Higher testosterone levels in women with PCOS already increase your sebum production. Do anything you can to prevent increasing sebum production further.

·         Pull your hair back - If you have long hair or wispy bangs, tie your hair back away from your face. Women with higher insulin levels as seen in PCOS can have oily hair. By keeping it off of your face you are preventing further contact with oil that can clog pores. You may also want to wash your hair everyday and after workouts to keep oil at bay.

·         Eat carrots for beta-carotene (Vitamin A) - Vitamin A has been proven to strengthen the protective tissue of the skin and prevent acne. Sebum production can also be reduced by ingesting Vitamin A.  A powerful antioxidant, vitamin A can help detoxify your body.  A deficiency in vitamin A can actually cause acne to form.

·         Remember to remove makeup - Leaving makeup products on your skin only contributes to clogging your pores, causing more pimples and blackheads. If you feel you must wear makeup, be sure it is oil free and non-comedegenic. We know that covering your blemishes with concealer can help you to face the world with more confidence, just make sure that your concealer is water based rather than oil based.

·         Stay hydrated- Drink plenty of water-Water is the medium for carrying waste material out of your body.

·         Use fresh pillow cases everyday - Your face lies on the smeared oil from your hair and face. When you lie on a dirty pillowcase you reapply the oil and dirt back to your face and jaw line. Thus causing breakouts. Keep your sheets and pillow cases clean.

·         Eat foods rich in zinc – Zinc has antibacterial qualities and is important for the oil –producing glands of the body. If you are deficient in zinc, acne may occur.

We know you may have been battling acne for years even prior to your PCOS diagnosis. It can definitely be frustrating. There is no magic pill to cure you of your blemishes but following the guidelines above you can better manage and prevent further flare-ups. If your acne continues to be troublesome to you and your self-esteem, consider seeing a dermatologist. A dermatologist may be able to prescribe a blemish fighting routine specific to your type of acne. Try not to get discouraged, look at the bright side; with the extra oil and sebum in your skin you may be getting blemishes now but the oil is also helping to prevent wrinkles later. If you wish to share your secrets to battling PCOS related acne, or hear other women’s ideas about acne or other PCOS related topics consider following a PCOS blog.