Adult Acne: What Are The Causes & Ways To Keep It At Bay
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Adult Acne: What Are The Causes & Ways To Keep It At Bay

  • 10, Dec 2019

If you’ve passed teenage years without any acne marks and scars, congrats! You’re probably one of the few lucky ones to escape one of the dreaded effects of puberty. But there is no guarantee you won’t get to experience it as an adult. There is a number of factors that contribute to adult acne and brings about the typical inflamed pimples and cysts.

 

It is also more prevalent in women – out of 1,167 patients who participated in a study, 85 percent of females and 15 percent of males had adult acne. Your skin is where you draw your confidence when you are out and about, and with adult acne, it can cause your self-esteem to take a step back.

 

Let’s take a further look into understanding adult acne and how you can keep it at bay.


Causes of adult acne

 

As you age, the skin cell turnover rate, as well as collagen production, slows down. This results in breakouts taking longer to heal as compared to the time when you were still a teenager. This also means that post-breakout marks stay longer too, which can be challenging to treat.


In adult acne, there are several factors that could cause it including hormonal fluctuations, chronic stress, lifestyle, and even certain medications.


Hormonal fluctuations

 

Fluctuating hormonal levels can lead to breakouts. Often, there is hormonal imbalance due to periods, pregnancy, peri-menopause, menopause and birth control pills. These changes may also lead to the production of excessive oil or sebum, which can easily clog pores and result in acne. How do you distinguish hormonal acne? Regular acne often occurs in the T-zone while hormonal acne appears at the lower part of the face like the jawline or below the cheeks.


Stress

 

In response to stress, your body produces the stress hormone cortisol, and this can lead to an increase in oil production in your skin. Oil glands are stimulated, which promotes breakouts and could also interfere with skin repairing and wound healing, thus causing more problems on the complexion. This explains why acne could be a recurring and ongoing problem for you when you find yourself under constant stress.


Skincare products

 

Use products that are more suitable and compatible with your skin type. Look out for terms such as non-comedogenic, oil-free and non-acnegenic so they won’t clog your pores and cause excess sebum. They will be less likely to cause acne.


How to steer clear of adult acne

 

With proper care, this acne condition in adults can be managed. Here are various ways you can try to keep adult acne at bay:


Resist the temptation - don’t squeeze!

 

It may be tempting, however, avoid trying to squeeze or pop your acne. It won’t necessarily get rid of the problem but worsen it. By squeezing your pimple, this can push pus and bacteria deeper into the skin, causing more swelling and inflammation.  It can also lead to more scarring, which may be severe and long-lasting. Use acne products instead to deal with breakouts. If the situation does not subside, you may need to see an esthetician who can address your concerns with various facial treatments.


Manage stress and diet

 

Don’t take stress to bed with you. Try yoga, meditation or even listening to music before bed to relieve stress and avert morning breakouts. High glycemic index foods are known to trigger acne – they are processed foods with high-refined sugars and carbs such as chocolates and white bread. Cut down your consumption on them and replace with low glycemic index foods such as quinoa, proteins, healthy fats and veggies.


Maintain a skincare routine

 

Avoid sleeping with makeup on. Before heading to bed, cleanse your face thoroughly to remove makeup, oil and other impurities. You can also exfoliate once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells and promote cell renewal for smoother skin. Use acne-fighting ingredients such as Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and salicylic acid, which helps to remove excess sebum and purifies the skin to prevent clogged pores. Don’t forget sunscreen during daytime and protect your skin against harmful UV rays which can worsen acne hyperpigmentation.

 

To boost your skincare routine, consider facial packages that are tailored to your skin condition and can address your acne effectively. Treatment is a long process. Thus, with regular facial treatments, it can help to maintain your complexion and tackle any acne flare-ups.

 

At Adonis, we are offering a facial promotion for new customers. Give your skin a treat with a refreshing facial wash at just $48 to remove any impurities for a clear complexion.