New to 12's and skin is breaking out! Any tips?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jul 9, 2015

I've heard of dry eyes from working 12s, but not breaking out. Perhaps you should investigate further. Are you applying more makeup in the hopes that it will last longer? Different makeup? Eating differently?

Purple_roses · Jul 9, 2015

Are you drinking extra coffee because of the added hours? Or perhaps not drinking enough water? Both of those, plus the added excitement of the shift change, could be potential culprits.

abbyolivia1 · Jul 9, 2015

I don't drink any coffee or caffeine! I eat a lot of quinoa and make a huge shake for the 12 hours. I'm wondering if having any oil based makeup (my cover up) is a bad idea for such a long day?

abbyolivia1 · Jul 9, 2015

I did recently add a coverup. It could be that. Or even my makeup remover pads. Both are new-ish. But it feels as if my skin itself is crazy oily. I'm glad you've heard of dry eyes- I've never even thought about it til you said it, but my eyes are so bloodshot lately, too!!

NOADLS · Jul 9, 2015

If you are really sensitive, throwing on more makeup will actually make things worse and you are exacerbating the issue by doing this. Address why you are breaking out to begin with and deal with it. Maybe use a facial cleanser once or twice throughout your shift?

Alternatively, there are superficial measures that you can take. When you take selfies, just photoshop the pimples out. As already mentioned, you could just slap on some more makeup.

weirdscience · Jul 9, 2015

Did you go from days to nights? Eating differently? Hydrating? Are you cleaning your phone regularly?

RNperdiem, RN · Jul 9, 2015

If the breakouts continue, see a dermatologist. I recently got some prescription strength acne medication and it works so much better compared to anything that I bought over the counter. I wish I had gone sooner. For many women, breaking out is a chronic problem, so try out different skin care regimens that work. For me that means removing every last trace of makeup after work, using my prescription creams and trying to avoid the massive temptation to pick, squeeze, gouge... and look at my very pimply teenager and resist the urge to pick, pop, gouge and squeeze anything on his face.

thenightnurse456 · Jul 9, 2015

I find new job stress, the recycled air for 12 hours, not drinking enough water and wearing too much/ different make up is what causes breakouts.

Purple_roses · Jul 9, 2015

I did recently add a coverup. It could be that. Or even my makeup remover pads. Both are new-ish. But it feels as if my skin itself is crazy oily. I'm glad you've heard of dry eyes- I've never even thought about it til you said it, but my eyes are so bloodshot lately, too!!

Get rid of the new things you added for a couple of weeks and see if you improve. It could definitely be one or both of those two things. To remove eye makeup, I use olive oil--it supposedly doesn't clog your pores. And wash your face with something gentle to remove the makeup--probably whatever you were using before.

Shelby, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2015

Try eliminating everything new (makeup, cleanser), and if your skin clears up, then add one new product every week or so. Cleaning your face too frequently can increase breakouts too. If you use an acne cleanser, make sure you do not use it more than once a day (a good time to use this is when removing makeup). Use a very mild & gentle cleanser the other time you clean your face (such as in the morning before applying makeup). You can try Rozex cream (metronidazole), which can be very helpful for adult acne. It is prescription only (but as with many meds, there are ways around that if one chooses). Rozex is very helpful for redness and cystic acne. You may also want to consider birth control pills because the right kind can significantly help decrease acne. Good luck! I battled embarrassing adult acne for many years. Thankfully I like my skin again.