Since I’ve hit the 30’s mark in my life, the biggest beauty problem that I’ve faced is “ADULT ACNE”
Really? – I know, right? (I usually hear that with a meek admission later)
You’d think you had left your teenage woes back in the past, but some harrowing problems like adult acne haunt you post-post-post-adolescence when you realize that you’re randomly breaking out every now and then.
While teen acne is mostly on the surface and comes and goes, adult acne is deep rooted in your skin and appear like cysts or pustules.
So here’s a low down of what’s causing these zits on your face and how you can treat them.
SOME SURPRISING CAUSES OF ADULT ACNE
- hormonal changes
- pre-period pimples are the worst, thanks to PMS!
- hair styling products that react to your skin
- dirty pillow covers
- an aggressive skin care routine can cause acne
- threading or waxing (hair removal) can trigger it
- unclean makeup tools or even makeup itself
- excess oil, clogged pores and sebum
- travel can cause acne due to the change in your environment, like the sun, heat, and humidity
- let’s not forget, STRESS contributes to acne
- a diet in high carbs and processed food
- people with extremely dry skin have acne
- your cellphone transfers acne-causing bacteria
SOME PRACTICAL WAYS TO TREAT/PREVENT ADULT ACNE
There are multiple ways to counter adult acne and these are some personally tried and tested ways of preventing and dealing with “my” adult acne days.
- Double cleanse when removing your makeup using an oil-based (preferably a cleansing balm) and a water-based cleanser
- Use a gentle cleanser with Salicylic Acid (BHA) as it exfoliates the upper layer of your skin and cleans the acne-causing pores from the inside
- Niacinamide helps in clearing acne and unclogging your pores
- Vitamin C helps brightens the skin as well as lighten the acne spots
- If you have hormonal acne, then you must see a Gynecologist so they can recommend you oral contraceptives to target your problem areas
- Chemical peels help (AHA), so you either see a Derm, through Laser or use products/acids (with care) that exfoliate the skin to clear it up
- When purchasing new products, focus on “non-comedogenic” and “oil-free”
- Avoid using facial oils or oil-based serums that are heavy on your skin
WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR IN A CLEANSER FOR ACNE?
In general, avoid overly aggressive and harsh cleansers, especially if you’re already using a prescription topical ingredient.
- With dry and sensitive skin, a creamy cleanser may be a better option.
- For oily skin, a gentle, foaming cleanser may be better.
- If someone has a lot of blackheads, something with salicylic acid can be helpful because it seeks out oil and unclogs pores.
- Benzoyl peroxide also has antibacterial properties and can help remove dead skin.
WHEN SHOULD I TAKE MEDICINE IF MY ACNE PERSISTS?
If your acne persists for more than a couple of months, if it’s causing scarring and if topical therapies haven’t been effective, it might be time to consider a systemic treatment, like an antibiotic, as a next step.
