I seem to have the opposite problem from everyone else. I used to have perfect skin. I have been vegan since Nov '09. Up until about 3 months ago my skin was still basically ok. Got a few zits when going through detox at the beginning, but now my face, mainly around my chin and on my forehead are terrible!!! I stay away from processed vegan foods and mainly eat a lot of raw fruit and veg with my cooked meal tending to be my dinner. Lots of almonds and pumpkin seeds, dates. I don't think that this far into the game my body is still getting rid of previous garbage, but who knows. I am wondering if bread/ gluten could be the culprit. I try to eat as little as possible. Has anyone had this problem???? I am getting rather frustrated and would like to solve the mystery of the now appearing pimples!!!! Any ideas anyone???

Joanne- you are not alone! I read and posted in a recent TKD blog: http://www.thekindlife.com/forum/thread/acne-that-just-wont-go-away?page=2
One of the users suggested using an apple cider vinegar solution to treat acne. I too have been struggling with recent breakouts. Prior to going vegan 5 months ago, my skin wasn't too bad and I kept it under control. I thought the breakouts were due to the detoxing, but I'm beginning to think it could be something else. So I started the apple cider vinegar solution today. The TKD user that suggested it to me recommended using 1 part ACV and 3 parts water and then dab it on your face.  I dunked a cotton ball in the solution and dabbed it all over my face. Immediately I can feel that my skin is a little tighter and drier, so who knows, it may work. I plan on using it twice daily.

If the ACV solution doesn't work, I am going to try the Kiss My Face brand tea tree oil acne gel treatment. I've heard good things about it, but it is a little expensive ($19), and the vinegar is only $2 at the grocery store.  Good luck!

I also read that you can 'steam ' your face (boil a pot of water, place your head over it with a towel over your head for a couple minutes, letting your pores open, then cleanse with apple cider vinegar. Repeat one or two times). I was going to try this, but haven't yet. You probably wouldn't do this everyday, but maybe a couple times a week. It sounds like a nice facial treatment.

Just like Anne said (actually I started the thread she is referring to haha!), I started the apple cider vingear treatment a day ago.  I feel like my face is getting better, but I know it`s too early to tell.  I have the EXACT same problem as you--to the T. Literally (chin and forehead, only ever had 2 BLEMISHES in my life prior to becoming vegan, but now it has been almost a year, I also tried to cut out gluten/wheat....as well as nuts, soy, etc).  Right now I am doing the ACV treatment and cutting out ALL sugar (like evap cane juice, sugar, etc....only eating maple syrup and brown rice syrup and fruit).  I'll let you know how it goes for me!

Thanks for the advice ladies!!!!!  I will pull the apple cider vinegar out of my fridge and start asap with the topical treatment.  Crossing my fingers, although I think it may be food related, but I don't know what to cut out first.

im having the same exact problem as well. I got diagnosed with cystic acne, and they are so freaking painful. They wont go away. I have been using Suki her products are great, but a little pricy, and I have been using apple cider vineger. I think that it is doing the trick, but Im still get some real painful pimples that Im dealing with. I have done so much research on it, and it really doesn't matter what you put on your face, soemthing is going on inside. That is what is so frustrating, it is something inside of the body, and I have  no clue where to start. Good luck, hope it works out for you

Hey ladies! I went through the same thing after getting off the pill and my nutritionist, Natalia Rose, informed me that although I've been cleansing for 4 years and felt good, the breakouts were happening because my body was reaching a new level of detoxification. She told me when toxins don't exit our bodies as waste, our skin, being the largest organ we have, will often break out. After decades of eating improperly we cannot expect to be completely detoxified in a matter of months or even a few years. It's a constant detox as we have so many toxins in our bodies, even from environmental pollutants.

I continued to make my organic fruit/veggie juices every morning and got two gravity colonics within two days of each other to help the toxins out. Less that a week later my skin cleared! It was amazing!

I first consulted Natalia 4.5 years ago and she taught me how to properly combine my meals so that my body can digest it easily.  In her books, she calls them "quick exit food combinations". It's changed my and my husbands life!  Anywho, try a gravity colonic and see how it goes.

I agree with Susie Q.  It's a new level of detox.  In chinese medicine the skin is considered a "third lung" as far as purification goes.  Years of a certain lifestyle don't exit after a few months.  Your body will balance out.  Also, check out the metaphysical reasons for acne so you can deal with it as a whole - mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually.  Your body is always in communication with you.  Learning the language is part of the process.  Such an incredible journey! Life.  :)

I have to say I am not comforted looking towards years of detox. This is crazy. Although acne is not cureable, it is manageable. I too had great skin a few moths ago before going vegan (mostly superhero). Now my skin has been a mess, cystic breakouts on my jawline and forehead, and breakouts all over my body too. :(  So frustrating. It's depressing, so then I don't eat right, I eat too much sugar, makes me more depressed, sometimes my workouts make the breakouts more painful...this has been such a vicious cycle.
When I started TKD I lost about 5 pounds in the first month, I was feeling and looking great, only had 7 more pounds to go. I was literally glowing. Now I am back up the 5 pounds and there are days I don't want to leave the house due the the physical and emotional pain from this messy skin.
I am a performer and this just sucks. So, I've started using a more aggressive acne treatment by Rodan+Fields. The line is called "Umblemish" and it seems to be helping. I've been using it for 3 weeks, it takes 2 months for the skin to all turn over and clean out, so I will keep you posted on my progress.
Best to all of you, I know if this doesn't all clear up soon, I just may turn in to a puddle of tears. May seem a bit dramatic, but our skin is a window to our health, and right now my skin is totally lying. I am eating better than ever.
Peace,
Cassi

Why not visit a holistic dermatologist?

I think that Ive determined it is sugar that is causing the acne.  That would be the reason why a strict macrobiotic or superhero diet would help with acne.  currently, Im on vacation in europe, and its rather difficult to eat the way i need to, but when I get back to the states im going to go sugar free for a month and see its effects.  for about a week before i left, i went sugar free and used ACV treatment, and it was working wonders.  I have continued the ACV treatment here, but obviously the sugar has been a bit more of an issue, and sure enough, my acne has flared up again....not to mention tons of headaches and sour stomachs.  Sugar just might be the culprit in all of this.  Perhaps after eating so well, our bodies have healed so much, but now just this last little devil called sugar is showing how much it can affect us. 
i will let you all know how the sugar-free treatment works!

I too am wondering about sugar.  Does the natural sugar in fruit count???  I am at a total loss.  I would never give up eating this way, I feel better than ever and my current weight is fantastic.  I agree with Cassi, I do not want to go through this for the rest of my life!  It is actually painful to leave the house.  I have tried apple cider vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol, facial steaming and masks to try and dry up the spots to get rid of them.  I have started eating more raw foods, but NOTHING seems to work.  I need help soon, am getting totally depressed and don't know what else I can do????  Help Alicia!!!!!!

Have you guys tried tea tree oil? I put a few drops on a cotton pad and then run it under water and then wipe it on my face before bed. Tea tree oil is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, works everytime I feel one of those pimples emerging from underneath, wipe a lil of this stuff on and stop it in it's tracks!

do any of you girls drink wine??

Twice I typed a huge paragraph and it didnt work!!! Long story short....I gave up red wine for a few weeks...beautiful skin....had wine this weekend...bad skin back!!!