How to Treat Adult Acne

Lots of people are unaware of the fact that adult acne exists and they seem to not know how to treat it. People have this misconception that acne only happens during the teenage years and gradually wears off as they age. For most people, this fact may be true but it is important to note that acne does not start during the teenage years only. There are a significant number of adults that experience such conditions.

There are lots of reasons why a person develops adult acne. But, it is important to take note that the majority of the people that suffer from this condition are those who also experienced acne problems during their teens. Keep in mind that the treatment for this is not the same as when you were in your teens since your skin is already different from how it used to be.

Adult acne appears in combination skin mostly on the jawline, chin, and neck and tends to be persistent. It increases skin sensitivity and can be present due to different factors such as genetics, high level of stress ( it increases hormones levels and sebaceous glands raising cortisol), and of course hormones. Agh! I know, hormones are always taking control of our life. That’s the main reason women are more affected than men with adult acne. But don’t worry, there are things that you can do to treat and diminish it. keep reading!

Tips On How To Treat Adult Acne.

Buy a reputable over-the-counter acne treatment product. OTC products could easily treat mild acne breakouts. There are a huge variety of products to treat acne, however, it is important to research and make sure the products you get don’t contain harsh elements that could further damage your skin. If you have serious adult acne, it would be best to consult your dermatologist. This will ensure that the product suits your skin type as well. You need to follow an adequate skincare regimen.

1. Start double cleansing your skin. This is very important to remove dirt, oil, and pollutants. It’s like sweeping your face before mopping. This Pre-Cleanse is one of a kind and it’s very gentle to the skin.

2. Exfoliate. Exfoliation is key, but keep in mind that it needs to be with a gentle product. NO SCRUBS. The idea is to provide a superficial exfoliation to smooth skin texture, provide hydration, and diminish congestion. You can also try retinoids at night.

3. Treat the condition. It’s crucial to incorporate certain ingredients with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.



Ingredients With Anti-Inflammatory And Anti-Bacterial Properties:

Salicylic acid is a great ingredient to kill acne bacteria. It dissolves pore-clogging debris and speeds up cell turnover, liquifying sebum. It has anti-inflammatory properties. Avoid this ingredient if you are pregnant or are allergic to aspirin ( acetylsalicylic acid ). Look for skincare products that contain this ingredient: cleanser, toner, serum, pads, etcetera.

Tea tree is also a good ingredient because it helps to heal infections due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. it’s the best option to calm redness, swelling, and inflammation. It may even help to prevent and reduce acne scars, leaving you with smooth, clear skin.

Niacinamide helps with hyperpigmentation caused for acne. It balances out the skin micro-biome. There is a wide range of products that contain niacinamide. One of my favorites is this serum that it’s not only affordable but specifically formulated to control oil production. A niacinamide moisturizer is a must if you are suffering from acne. But I highly recommend looking for one fragrance, oil, and parabens-free. White Shitake Mushroom and hexylresorcinol are both ingredients that help to even the skin tone and control pigmentation caused for acne. I highly recommend a product that clears and controls acne breakouts by having a combination of the most effective ingredients mentioned above (salicylic acid, niacinamide, white shitake mushroom).



4. Hydrate the skin. While suffering from acne you need to provide hydration to your skin, having oily skin and normally breakouts here and there are signs that your skin needs water. It doesn’t matter if you drink 2 liters of water daily, of course, it helps, but keep in mind that drinking water is not enough to rehydrate the skin.

5. Protect the skin: You need to ALWAYS protect your skin from the sun, even if you don’t have acne. It is definitely a skin insurance. Especially when suffering from acne or breakouts you need to avoid acne spots getting darker and here’s when the SPF comes to the rescue! It’s important to look for an oil-free sunscreen, formulated to help calm and protect sensitive skin types prone to breakouts. 



Double cleanse | Exfoliate | Treat the condition | Hydrate | Protect

For serious breakout and if OTC products do not seem to work, undergo cosmetic procedures in a reputable derma clinic. Cosmetic procedures such as microdermabrasion and laser resurfacing are some of the common procedures to treat adult acne. Keep in mind that these procedures should be done using clean materials so it would be best to visit a reputable clinic.

Please, never squeeze your acne! A lot of adults have this desire to squeeze or prick their zits on their own, which could cause further damage. Never do this, squeezing will only push the infection deep into the skin.

woman squeezing their acne

It’s also important to check your hormones to make sure you don’t have a hormonal imbalance. Your lifestyle can directly impact the quality of your skin, so try to stick with a healthy and balanced diet. In order to flush away toxins that could cause acne, you need to drink a lot of water and eat fruits and vegetables. Keep in mind that well-hydrated skin has better chances to rejuvenate rather than dry skin.

Having a well-rested body is also important and again keep in mind that stress is one of the causes of acne as well, so it really pays if you get your eight-hours worth of sleep per day.

Follow these tips, know your skin type find the best treatment for you, and elevate your skincare routine to achieve a flawless complexion. If you know other types not mentioned in this article, please let me know in the comment section, that would be awesome to complement this post.

how to treat adult acne

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