Aging Gracefully: Adult Acne
Synopsis 1: Most women would agree that once you begin noticing fine lines and wrinkles on your skin, you should no longer need to worry about acne. After all, acne is a skincare issue for teenagers! Aren�t wrinkles a big enough problem?
Synopsis 2: The unfortunate reality is that adult acne is a very common problem. Whether it is recurring from adolescence or appears for the first time in adulthood, adult acne is a very real skincare concern for adults of all ages. Read on to find out why, and what can be done to help prevent and treat it.
Many common misconceptions about what causes acne haunt the beauty world: eating chocolate, sweat, and even�poor hygiene, but this simply is not the case. Harsh or aggressive washing can actually cause an existing case of acne to become worse, so step away from the exfoliator and read on!
Cause:
For a lot of people who suffer from adult-onset acne, the primary cause tends to be hormones. Half of all adult women with acne will experience cyclic flare-ups in tandem with their menstrual cycle, yet still have normal to dry skin. This tricky combination makes addressing adult acne especially difficult since many over-the-counter treatments are designed for oily teenage skin and not drier, maturing skin. Other contributors to adult acne can include stress or even birth control pills that contain androgen.
Because adult acne has different causes than teenage acne, and because adult skin has requirements that are completely different than teenage skin, acne treatments designed for adolescent acne may not be optimal. But not to worry - there are many ways to treat adult acne and hopefully, prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Prevent:
The first step in keeping adult acne at bay is to focus on prevention and, to ensure you are following a healthy regimen for your skin:
- If you are still very oily, use only oil-free products with calming ingredients such as chamomile, which will soothe stressed and irritated skin without over-drying.
- Strive to keep your makeup clean and bacteria-free; apply foundation with a cotton swab instead of fingers to prevent contaminating your foundation with bacteria from the hands.
- Invest in monthly facials. Estheticians are trained skincare professionals, able to give your skin a �diagnosis,� treat it appropriately, and they will also offer you advice on how to maintain healthy skin at home.
- Exfoliate on a regular basis with a gentle exfoliating scrub, or use a gel cleanser with salicylic acid to exfoliate dead skin and keep the pores clear.
Treat:
Along with prevention, it is important to utilize an on-going treatment plan that fits easily into your daily routine. Then, stick with it; acne responds best to long-term maintenance:
- Use a treatment that contains either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to treat blemishes. Experiment with different percents to find the best formula for your skin.
- Consider using an exfoliating facial peel, two to three times per week. Look for one that contains alpha and beta hydroxy acids to help clear blemishes quickly.
- Spot treat blemishes daily, morning and night, with a clear gel that can be worn under makeup.
Lastly, while treating acne, be aware that certain acne products may leave the skin feeling dry and tight. If you notice your skin is overly dry, reduce the number of times per week you are exfoliating or using medicated cleanser. Also, try a balancing lotion which will moisturize the skin in the areas that need it most without triggering acne flare-ups.
