Hi,
I just turned 38 and I still suffer with acne. I am going to start Diane 35 and use it for a couple of months then switch to another oral contraceptive and also use aldactone ( a drug that blocks the male hormones that effect the skin). My skin is really oily. I have used accutane a couple of times and it works but the acne comes back. I use all topicals. I use salicylic acid 2% by Paulas choice) then 2.5 % benzoyl peroxide in the morning, then I use the salicylic acid again with either .5 % vitamin A acid or tazorac .5% at night. This all helps but in the past few weeks my skin has been terrible. This is why I am going to try the Diane 35 again.
I totally understand where you are coming from. The more you learn about acne the better. Knowledge is power. Check out cosmeticscop.com. She has lots of info on skin problems. I use Paulas products even though I live in Canada. I have followed her work for years. She is so honest. I love that. You could always try just plain old milk of magnesia facial mask, not the flavoured kind, just plain. It absorbs excess oil and is disinfecting and anti-inflammatory.( it is just liquid magnesium) I find it helps.
I have had acne since I was 16, I took antibiotics for years, then took an oral contraceptive and used benzoyl peroxide to help control it. Then about 4 rounds of accutane. My skin has been worse since I have had children and have been off oral contraceptives. So I find they help. I hope that you find help. Learn all you can and you will feel much more in control and active in your future treatment.
Best of Luck, L.

Thanks seriousperson. I am going to give the Diane 35 a try, then when my doctor changes my oral contraceptive I will try the aldactone with it. What do you mean about the white stuff in your skin being the hormones. My skin is really oily and lately the acne is becoming more cystic. I wish that the accutane ended it, but it is only a temporary remission. Thanks again.