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Treat Adult Acne
Treat Adult Acne:
Over 50% of women over 25 have some sort of acne according to Annet King. So if you're an adult, but feel like you are going through your teenage years - don't worry! A lot of women are experiencing it. The main cause for adult acne is definitely stress. Today you probably experience more stress than ever and your skin is paying for it.
Scientist believe that stress triggers to hormones in our bodies which trigger the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, thus causing acne. When you are experiencing long term stress your hormones are constantly being raise causing a constant problem. Also, with age your bodies cells don't turn over as quickly so the ability to heal has slowed down.
Adults are more likely to get deep cystic acne. When you were a teen you probably got little pimples around your nose and forehead, well now that your older you are more likely to get cysts on your lower part of your face - such as your chin or jaw line.
Treatment for your skin has changed now that your older. Now, you need to use products that wont dry out your skin because that will cause wrinkles. The products you use should have anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants to soothe and protect the skin from acne and wrinkles. Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are still great to use. However, also look for products with licorice, biotin, camphor, tea tree and green tea (to reduce inflammation) and zinc sulfate, tea tree, caffeine, niacinamide and sulfur or zinc oxide (to slow oil production).
Cleanse your face with an oil-based cleanser. Your reaction maybe "wait, what?" Yep, that's right. Oil attracts oil. So, the oil based cleanser will pull out other oils. Then cleanse with a salicylic acid cleanser morning and night. Try to get one with the anti-inflammatories we talked about. It is said that skin with acne sheds about four times more dead skin that regular skin so it is important to clear are pores of dead skin with an exfoliating scrub. Granular scrubs are not a good idea. They tend to tear the tops off healing pimple and spread bacteria around. Instead use liquid or cream exfoliating mask with hydroxy acids or enzymes (salicylic acid works) two to three times a week.
You still need to moisturize. Use a light moisturizer that is also a mattifyer and/or has a treatment in it (like salicylic acid, green tea, niaminicide or zinc) for the acne prone areas and for the rest of your face use one that's right for your skin type. Your skin maybe dry in those areas so you may want to use a heavier or oil-based moisturizer.
Use spot treatments on any pimples that randomly pop up. Use spot treatments with five percent benzoyl peroxide, or sulfur or zinc oxide.
As for makeup, try not to wear it. But when you do make sure to wear the type that is best for your skin - mineral makeup. The products you use should not contain Lanolin or Isopropyl Myristate (common in powders).
Now it is time to work on the lifestyle. Find ways to reduce stress. Take deep breaths, do yoga - whatever calms you. Stress will help those hormones to slow down and stop bothering your skin. Sleep, poor nutrition, dehydration, caffeine and smoking all cause acne as well. Make sure to get enough sleep, fruits and veggies (more veggies than fruit), lots of water, do not smoke, and stop drinking soda and coffee!
If the first week you don't see improvement or it gets worse, don't worry! Your skin is adjusting. After six weeks to a month you don't see improvement - then it is time to make alterations. You maybe using to much of a product or need to get rid of one. Also you will probably have to adjust your skin routine. After a while your skin will become immune. Add in clay masks when your face produces more oil. If you smile and the smile lines produce around your mouth your face is dry so use products with hyaluronic acid or a spritz of toner
If all else fails - bite the bullet and go see your dermatologist.