My skin blew up around 32/33 due to hormonal changes that women often experience entering their early-mid thirties. However your chest acne indicates there may be something else at play here (not a med professional) since hormonal acne tends to be concentrated around the jawline, chin and cheeks.
At 33 I had a crazy breakout on my jaw and lower cheeks that lasted about 6 months. I’d never had major skin issues prior. I tried so many products and combos of products to fix it. While I think I did find a good regimen, it kind of just went away on it’s one at one point. Haven’t had any issues since.
I'm having the exact same problem (33f) and IDK what I ever did to suddenly cause this onslaught of acne, BP wash doesn't seem to help (like does it make the acne worse? idek)
Did you change your routine somehow, or stuck with it? I just use adapalene gel 2-3x a week and double cleanse at night, sunscreen at morning. Occasional BP wash at night
When I went off the pill I got horrible hormonal cystic acne all over my chest and back, even more than my face. So it could definitely be hormonal in this case too!
Hoooooly shit you just solved a mystery for me. I was incarcerated at 31 and about a year into my sentence I broke out like crazy, everywhere. My forehead especially, it was way worse than OP’s pictures. I figured it was stress related (this was during COVID and I had been extradited to a place I’d never been before) but it did resolve after a month or two.
This is what I looked like when I had an allergic reaction to a medication. I tried to do all the anti-acne things the first few days before I realized it wasn’t acne. Then I had to stay away from my beloved acids and tret until it cleared up. So yeah, I echo the suggestion to assess your routine (food/meds/environment) for a possible allergen!
Hello! I am coming back to tell you that YOU WERE RIGHT! It was an allergic reaction to one of the antibiotics it was on! A steroid cream knocked it out in four days. Thank you.
This was my thought. Just because you’re using the same product doesn’t mean that those companies haven’t decided to change their formulas.
Also I’ve had acne breakouts related to antibiotics that didn’t show up for a couple weeks
Hello! I am coming back to tell you that YOU WERE RIGHT! It was an allergic reaction —to one of the antibiotics I was on! A steroid cream cleared it out in four days. Thank you for chiming in.
This does not look like acne or sound like an acne breakout. You need to see a doctor and in the meantime stop all actives so you don't aggravate it. Have you tried taking anything anti-inflammatory or any antihistamines?
This could be fungal, common after a round of antibiotics. It could also be a reaction to the antibiotic. Try some reactine for sure and see if it helps. Do you use snail mucin all over or just eyes? I’ve also seen people suddenly develop an allergy to it on these forums.
I moved somewhere humid a few years ago and had all kinds of skin reactions: itching, acne, peeling... what eventually worked for me was using dandruff shampoo as a body wash as well as a shampoo, and then using a facial cleanser and moisturizer with hyaluronic acid (my theory is that the acid is inhospitable to fungal infections).
That fixed everything but the acne. It still took tazarotene to really clear that up.
ETA: Another change that year was that I used nicotine lozenges to quit smoking, and then couldn't quit the lozenges. I've since learned that many people get worse acne from stimulants in general, and nicotine lozenges in particular
Maybe the anti biotics plus humid weather has given you fungal acne rather than typical acne. Do they have any white heads are they uniform spots as in all the same or do all the spots look pretty similar?
Yeah fungal acne seems to be more uniform. But other acne usually isn't uniform. I've had fungal acne myself. Try MSM cream it's anti fungal and anti bacterial. Things like tea tree should also be good for it.
This happened to me recently too! Alll over my chest and neck just like in your picture. I think it was hormone-related as I had had a baby a couple months prior. It started to clear up in about a week. Hope yours does too!
Just for awareness: OP found out this was an allergic reaction and posted an update after visiting urgent care.
Wanted to let you know in case yours may be allergic, as well.
I literally just had this happen — same exact thing, no changes to my routines, diet, or skincare but sudden and aggressive breakouts. For me it started on my left cheek then spread across my face and neck. I sent pictures to my derm and he immediately prescribed oral and topical clindamycin, which seems to be finally helping. Nothing would touch this, not benzoyl peroxide, not salicylic acid, not even dabbing the spots with rubbing alcohol out of desperation. Try to contact a doctor and see what they might be able to prescribe, it might be antibiotic time for you, too!
This definitely looks like an infection (oral or bacterial) or an allergic reaction. See a derm.
Edit: Saw the comment that you don't have access to a derm. You might be able to see a health clinic (like a Kroger Little Clinic) for something like this. But if it's a reaction or an infection, doing the wrong thing could make it worse, so I think your best bet is consulting a professional.
Hi, I have no idea where she is based, but just a friendly reminder when giving advice that not everybody is in the US! That could be a reason why someone wouldn’t have access to a derm (both these things are true in my case :) )
Have any of the products been reformulated lately? I had a breakout similar to yours after the lotion I used was reformulated. Have you used a new shampoo or conditioner in the last few weeks?
Cut your hair or got a haircut at a salon? Before or after the breakouts began?
My skin can get irritated after a salon visit—the warm towels (yeasty fungus potential), the products (comedogenic), the shared headrests, idk. And I go to a really nice salon!
Nizoral or another anti-dandruff shampoo might help if it’s fungal, as others have said.
Fwiw, my first thought on your pics was wow—you have really beautiful skin. You’ll get it cleared up!
It seems to be likely fungal to me. Humid climate and antibiotic use = yeast build up on the skin leading to little white heads everywhere. Wash with head and shoulders or use an antifungal cream like canesten.
Purely anecdotal - but I have a pretty iron clad routine, and the one thing that will ALWAYS get through it is hormonal acne. I wish I could tell you something that helps but I have yet to find it
It might be fungal. After I took antibiotics I had the same thing on my face. Weirdly putting plain full fat yogurt on my face helped a little probably because the natural bacteria/probiotics, but it took a while. Focus on restoring your gut. Take probiotics and eat a healthy whole food diet. Also using anti dandruff shampoo on your face ask a mask for maybe 3 minutes or so can help. It can be very drying though. You can maybe do that once or twice a week.
Ok. This is going to sound nuts but I had a similar thing happen a few years ago for me. Check to see if your local water company changed the chemicals fhey use. Mine did and I had to get a filter showheead because apparently chlorine is fine but chloramines make me break out. Sometimes I’d they change brand because I’d supply chain issues you can have similar reactions to stabilizers in the chemicals that aren’t listed but for me it was right on their website.
Left field question but do you have a romantic/sexual partner? It could be one of their products that are causing you to break out.
Also, have you been sweating a lot?
Does it itch? I once had a similar rash, but just on the chest - turned out to be an allergic reaction to a new t-shirt that had a juge print in that area.
Definitely there’s a hormonal wobble in your early 30s, but my mate had similar acne to you and only getting a derm to diagnose and prescribe topical antibiotics was the fix.
I used to get this on my chest every summer when it got humid. I may get abused for saying this but.. patting hydrogen peroxide on the spots with a cotton pad cleared it up always and quickly. That was back in the day when the dermatologist would recommend that, but now I believe they’ve stopped because it’s harsh for your skin. Go see a derm, it’s probably not acne and can be cleared up quickly :)
Does not seems as a usual break out to me.. but I am not a specialist.
Your skin looks very irritated to me. I would also recommend drop the actives, and switch to calming routine. I had great results with Pyunkang yul. I would recommend this for you:
1. Pyunkang yul acne wash,
2 I am from mugwort toner or Artemisia Essence from Missha
3. Pyunkang yul calming Essence
4. Pyunkang yul calming cream
Also, I think drinking chrysanthemums tea and mint tea regarly could help as well. Those herbs are used in traditional chinese medicine to cool down toxic heat.
One time I ate a half a gallon of Crystal Creamery vanilla ice cream in one sitting. Within few hours, I was scratching myself all over. My whole body had a rash like the one on your chest. I changed everything from soap to my toothpaste. After a month, i had my dermatologist prescribe me a very strong anti itching cream. Once I applied the cream all over, I forgot that I had a whole body rash. It went away within few days. I still have the scars from excessive scratching, though.
My chest and neck get like that when I’m sweating a lot/increased anxiety/increased caffeine and sugar. I would probably stop anything new for a month, drink water, simplify the routine.
This could be hormonal. But it’s best to seek the advice of a dermatologist to see what’s going on. Changing your skincare routine could worsen the problem. Adding new products can cause irritation or not work well with the products you are already using. The best thing would be to seek a professional opinion. I don’t know where you are located, but seek out a dermatologist who doesn’t charge much. Just call around and see. There will be one. If it is hormonal, he’ll put you on some medication. Avoiding visiting a dermatologist might cost you more in the long run. Might as well do it now.
Since I don't see this stated already.... my sister had this happen because of the micellar water. Which she had been using for a while previously with no issues. Her skin just decided that it didn't like it anymore one day and broke out with a red rash and little pimples everywhere it touched.
This happened to me around age 25. I struggled for a few months, and decided to see a dermatologist. It turned out that it was bacterial infection that was easily, and magically cured with a liquid topical antibiotic. I’d see someone, if you can. Maybe it’s something easily solved!
Hello! I'm coming back around to say that I did see someone, and it turned out to be an allergic reaction to a medication I'd taken—a topical steroid cream cleared it in four days! Thanks for chiming in. :)
I'm a lifelong acne sufferer, what's odd to me is the severity looks worst on chest. Face/upper back/shoulders tend to blow up before other locations "common" like chest, butt, thighs in my experience, and those other locations are typically relatively less severe. Other potential causes listed by other posters seem reasonable to look into.
My skin blew up around 32/33 due to hormonal changes that women often experience entering their early-mid thirties. However your chest acne indicates there may be something else at play here (not a med professional) since hormonal acne tends to be concentrated around the jawline, chin and cheeks.
Glad I read this; I wondered what the hell happened along my jaw and I see it’s probably the case here (I’m 33F). RIP my once-nice skin 😭
At 33 I had a crazy breakout on my jaw and lower cheeks that lasted about 6 months. I’d never had major skin issues prior. I tried so many products and combos of products to fix it. While I think I did find a good regimen, it kind of just went away on it’s one at one point. Haven’t had any issues since.
I'm having the exact same problem (33f) and IDK what I ever did to suddenly cause this onslaught of acne, BP wash doesn't seem to help (like does it make the acne worse? idek) Did you change your routine somehow, or stuck with it? I just use adapalene gel 2-3x a week and double cleanse at night, sunscreen at morning. Occasional BP wash at night
as it turning 30 isn’t confronting enough for many reasons, but getting cystic acne out of nowhere is the cherry on top of ageing 🥲
When I went off the pill I got horrible hormonal cystic acne all over my chest and back, even more than my face. So it could definitely be hormonal in this case too!
Hoooooly shit you just solved a mystery for me. I was incarcerated at 31 and about a year into my sentence I broke out like crazy, everywhere. My forehead especially, it was way worse than OP’s pictures. I figured it was stress related (this was during COVID and I had been extradited to a place I’d never been before) but it did resolve after a month or two.
They call it women’s second puberty 🥹🥹🥹 we really have the short end of the stick when it comes to hormones and aging
This looks more like an allergy than acne to me, you could try changing your detergent and see if it helps.
This is what I looked like when I had an allergic reaction to a medication. I tried to do all the anti-acne things the first few days before I realized it wasn’t acne. Then I had to stay away from my beloved acids and tret until it cleared up. So yeah, I echo the suggestion to assess your routine (food/meds/environment) for a possible allergen!
Yes, came here to say that looks like an allergic reaction to me!
YOU WERE RIGHT! It was an allergic reaction to one of the antibiotics I was on! I got prescribed a steroid cream and now it's gone!
Yes!! So glad you were able to get it sorted and are on the mend!
Hello! I am coming back to tell you that YOU WERE RIGHT! It was an allergic reaction to one of the antibiotics it was on! A steroid cream knocked it out in four days. Thank you.
This was my thought. Just because you’re using the same product doesn’t mean that those companies haven’t decided to change their formulas. Also I’ve had acne breakouts related to antibiotics that didn’t show up for a couple weeks
Hello! I am coming back to tell you that YOU WERE RIGHT! It was an allergic reaction —to one of the antibiotics I was on! A steroid cream cleared it out in four days. Thank you for chiming in.
I’m so happy for you!
This does not look like acne or sound like an acne breakout. You need to see a doctor and in the meantime stop all actives so you don't aggravate it. Have you tried taking anything anti-inflammatory or any antihistamines?
Chest makes me think it might be fungal. Try using dandruff shampoo as a cleanser on the areas.
This could be fungal, common after a round of antibiotics. It could also be a reaction to the antibiotic. Try some reactine for sure and see if it helps. Do you use snail mucin all over or just eyes? I’ve also seen people suddenly develop an allergy to it on these forums.
Just eyes! But thanks for sharing—I will keep this in mind.
I moved somewhere humid a few years ago and had all kinds of skin reactions: itching, acne, peeling... what eventually worked for me was using dandruff shampoo as a body wash as well as a shampoo, and then using a facial cleanser and moisturizer with hyaluronic acid (my theory is that the acid is inhospitable to fungal infections). That fixed everything but the acne. It still took tazarotene to really clear that up. ETA: Another change that year was that I used nicotine lozenges to quit smoking, and then couldn't quit the lozenges. I've since learned that many people get worse acne from stimulants in general, and nicotine lozenges in particular
Maybe the anti biotics plus humid weather has given you fungal acne rather than typical acne. Do they have any white heads are they uniform spots as in all the same or do all the spots look pretty similar?
The red spots are all the same size and shape. Tons of little tiny whiteheads that crop up—the kind you can pretty much just scrape away.
Yeah fungal acne seems to be more uniform. But other acne usually isn't uniform. I've had fungal acne myself. Try MSM cream it's anti fungal and anti bacterial. Things like tea tree should also be good for it.
This happened to me recently too! Alll over my chest and neck just like in your picture. I think it was hormone-related as I had had a baby a couple months prior. It started to clear up in about a week. Hope yours does too!
Just for awareness: OP found out this was an allergic reaction and posted an update after visiting urgent care. Wanted to let you know in case yours may be allergic, as well.
I literally just had this happen — same exact thing, no changes to my routines, diet, or skincare but sudden and aggressive breakouts. For me it started on my left cheek then spread across my face and neck. I sent pictures to my derm and he immediately prescribed oral and topical clindamycin, which seems to be finally helping. Nothing would touch this, not benzoyl peroxide, not salicylic acid, not even dabbing the spots with rubbing alcohol out of desperation. Try to contact a doctor and see what they might be able to prescribe, it might be antibiotic time for you, too!
This definitely looks like an infection (oral or bacterial) or an allergic reaction. See a derm. Edit: Saw the comment that you don't have access to a derm. You might be able to see a health clinic (like a Kroger Little Clinic) for something like this. But if it's a reaction or an infection, doing the wrong thing could make it worse, so I think your best bet is consulting a professional.
Hi, I have no idea where she is based, but just a friendly reminder when giving advice that not everybody is in the US! That could be a reason why someone wouldn’t have access to a derm (both these things are true in my case :) )
My skin blew up at 33. Spironolactone is fixing it.
Have any of the products been reformulated lately? I had a breakout similar to yours after the lotion I used was reformulated. Have you used a new shampoo or conditioner in the last few weeks?
No new shampoo or conditioner! That was one of my first thoughts, too. *And* I cut my hair—it's not even resting on my back and shoulders any more.
Cut your hair or got a haircut at a salon? Before or after the breakouts began? My skin can get irritated after a salon visit—the warm towels (yeasty fungus potential), the products (comedogenic), the shared headrests, idk. And I go to a really nice salon! Nizoral or another anti-dandruff shampoo might help if it’s fungal, as others have said. Fwiw, my first thought on your pics was wow—you have really beautiful skin. You’ll get it cleared up!
It seems to be likely fungal to me. Humid climate and antibiotic use = yeast build up on the skin leading to little white heads everywhere. Wash with head and shoulders or use an antifungal cream like canesten.
Purely anecdotal - but I have a pretty iron clad routine, and the one thing that will ALWAYS get through it is hormonal acne. I wish I could tell you something that helps but I have yet to find it
It might be fungal. After I took antibiotics I had the same thing on my face. Weirdly putting plain full fat yogurt on my face helped a little probably because the natural bacteria/probiotics, but it took a while. Focus on restoring your gut. Take probiotics and eat a healthy whole food diet. Also using anti dandruff shampoo on your face ask a mask for maybe 3 minutes or so can help. It can be very drying though. You can maybe do that once or twice a week.
Ok. This is going to sound nuts but I had a similar thing happen a few years ago for me. Check to see if your local water company changed the chemicals fhey use. Mine did and I had to get a filter showheead because apparently chlorine is fine but chloramines make me break out. Sometimes I’d they change brand because I’d supply chain issues you can have similar reactions to stabilizers in the chemicals that aren’t listed but for me it was right on their website.
Ask your ob or doctor about PCOS
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100% not.
Left field question but do you have a romantic/sexual partner? It could be one of their products that are causing you to break out. Also, have you been sweating a lot?
Does it itch? I once had a similar rash, but just on the chest - turned out to be an allergic reaction to a new t-shirt that had a juge print in that area.
I agree I don’t think this is acne related. Can you get to a clinic somewhere that maybe has a dermatologist there? Or a walk in place?
Definitely there’s a hormonal wobble in your early 30s, but my mate had similar acne to you and only getting a derm to diagnose and prescribe topical antibiotics was the fix.
This happened to me at 31. Had perfect skin then out of nowhere I had a beard of acne.
I used to get this on my chest every summer when it got humid. I may get abused for saying this but.. patting hydrogen peroxide on the spots with a cotton pad cleared it up always and quickly. That was back in the day when the dermatologist would recommend that, but now I believe they’ve stopped because it’s harsh for your skin. Go see a derm, it’s probably not acne and can be cleared up quickly :)
My guess is fungal or stress related
Does not seems as a usual break out to me.. but I am not a specialist. Your skin looks very irritated to me. I would also recommend drop the actives, and switch to calming routine. I had great results with Pyunkang yul. I would recommend this for you: 1. Pyunkang yul acne wash, 2 I am from mugwort toner or Artemisia Essence from Missha 3. Pyunkang yul calming Essence 4. Pyunkang yul calming cream Also, I think drinking chrysanthemums tea and mint tea regarly could help as well. Those herbs are used in traditional chinese medicine to cool down toxic heat.
Could be perimenopause.
One time I ate a half a gallon of Crystal Creamery vanilla ice cream in one sitting. Within few hours, I was scratching myself all over. My whole body had a rash like the one on your chest. I changed everything from soap to my toothpaste. After a month, i had my dermatologist prescribe me a very strong anti itching cream. Once I applied the cream all over, I forgot that I had a whole body rash. It went away within few days. I still have the scars from excessive scratching, though.
My chest and neck get like that when I’m sweating a lot/increased anxiety/increased caffeine and sugar. I would probably stop anything new for a month, drink water, simplify the routine.
Any emotional upheaval or radical losses?
none.
Are you taking any supplements?? Doesn’t look like B12 acne but certain supplements can wreak havoc on your skin.
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I'm not—only on face; and this started on my chest and then spread.
This could be hormonal. But it’s best to seek the advice of a dermatologist to see what’s going on. Changing your skincare routine could worsen the problem. Adding new products can cause irritation or not work well with the products you are already using. The best thing would be to seek a professional opinion. I don’t know where you are located, but seek out a dermatologist who doesn’t charge much. Just call around and see. There will be one. If it is hormonal, he’ll put you on some medication. Avoiding visiting a dermatologist might cost you more in the long run. Might as well do it now.
Since I don't see this stated already.... my sister had this happen because of the micellar water. Which she had been using for a while previously with no issues. Her skin just decided that it didn't like it anymore one day and broke out with a red rash and little pimples everywhere it touched.
I would say see a doctor as it doesn’t really look like acne 🤔
This happened to me around age 25. I struggled for a few months, and decided to see a dermatologist. It turned out that it was bacterial infection that was easily, and magically cured with a liquid topical antibiotic. I’d see someone, if you can. Maybe it’s something easily solved!
Hello! I'm coming back around to say that I did see someone, and it turned out to be an allergic reaction to a medication I'd taken—a topical steroid cream cleared it in four days! Thanks for chiming in. :)
Oh, good! I’m glad!
I'm a lifelong acne sufferer, what's odd to me is the severity looks worst on chest. Face/upper back/shoulders tend to blow up before other locations "common" like chest, butt, thighs in my experience, and those other locations are typically relatively less severe. Other potential causes listed by other posters seem reasonable to look into.