When you are a teenager you cannot wait for the day when you will grow up and get rid of this problem, but not all of us are so lucky to be free of it in our grown up days. To make it even more complicated, adult acne are more difficult to treat, because of the specifics of adult skin, especially the decreased production of collagen, which slows down the healing process. Although treating adult acne can be very challenging, that does not mean it is impossible. First, you need to know the causes and only then, search for solutions.
The Causes
The Mean Hormones
Yes, you have waited until your 20s to have clear face, and then those mean hormones prevented that. Specifically, fluctuation in hormones (androgens – male hormones), such as the ones before menstrual cycle can cause acne breakouts. They usually appear in the form of painful cystic acne around the back, neck and chin.
Stressing Out
Yes stress is the number one silent killer, but it is also one of the main sources of hormonal changes. We all know that stress is a state we develop as we grow up, and that with the juggling of our daily chores, private life and career goals, it is very difficult not to get annoyed. W hen stress hormone cortisol is put out in the body to help fight stress, it releases some testosterone, which drives your skin to produce more oil.
Acne in the Air
Well, not literally. We are referring to the air pollution which puts a layer of dirt on your skin every time you leave the house. Do not believe us? Try walking around the block for a half an hour, get inside your house and then wipe your face with a face wipe and check the color.
Poor Product Choice
“All-skin-types” products are like unicorns – everyone heard about them, some thought they have seen them, but in the end they are just not real. If you use an oil-based cream when you already have oily skin, you cannot blame acne for popping out.
You Are Over Washing
Overwashing your face can be very counterproductive. If you are cleansing more than once a day, you are drying out your skin, thus provoking more oil production, which in return, leads to acne breakouts. Cleansing your face once a day is enough.
Inside Out
The food you consume can largely impact your skin appearance. One of the most responsible for acne breakouts is sugar, but, depending on your skin specifics, you can develop acne influenced by chocolate, pizza, caffeine, etc.
The Solutions
Search for Products with These Ingredients
- Salicylic acid is exfoliating your skin gently to unclog the pores, without damaging it.
- Vitamin C stimulates the production of collagen, thus speeding up the healing process, so it would be a good idea to start using vitamin C serum with hydrating features.
- Benzoyl peroxide kills the acne-causing bacteria and cleans the pores at the same time. It can be found in spot-treating products.
- Glycolic acid targets acne and wrinkles at the same time.
- Sulfur is one more great spot treatment which drives oil out of the skin.
- Retinol has collagen-building properties, but it can also dry out the skin and be too harsh.
Exfoliation Is the Key
This is one thing you should do on a regular basis, even if you do not have troubles with acne. Exfoliate once a week with a store-bought scrub, or one made in your own kitchen (oatmeal + honey + sugar or baking soda + water).
Use Antibiotics
Antibiotics can be truly effective in fighting acne. The only problem is that you can eventually (usually within a month) develop bacterial resistance. The solution lies in treating acne with topical treatments and benzoyl peroxide simultaneously to minimize the chance of developing resistance.
Look for Anti-Inflammatory Products
Inflammation is almost always linked to acne breakouts. You must have noticed the redness and swelling that no concealer in the world cannot hide. To solve this, search for products containing antioxidants that have skin repairing features.
Food Fight
Just as there are some foods that can cause acne, there are others that can prevent and fight them. To beat this annoying problem, include the following foods in your diet: almonds, watermelons, green tea, oranges, carrots, figs, whole grains, salmon, berries, onion, tomatoes, leafy greens, eggs, etc.
Medications
Sometimes you need much more than a lifestyle change and topical treatments to get rid of acne, especially if the cause is in hormonal changes. Consult your physician before you start using any spironolactone or oral contraceptives, though.
Dry instead of DIY
Never try the do-it-yourself method of extracting the painful cyst. The only way to reduce it is to drain it, and for that you should use topical treatments or visit your dermatologist. Use cold/warm compress to relieve the pain.
Find one or more solutions that work for you and try to minimize the chances of developing acne in the first place, by paying attention to the possible causes and avoiding those you can.
The toothpaste worked well for me. It got rid of my pimples overnight. All the remedies are for certain skin types, so if you have oily skin (like i do) try the toothpaste. Also DONT USE GARLIC!! i put it on my skin and thought it would be fine. The next day it was red, then went brown, then starting blistering up! the garlic burnt my face! now i have a massive scar on my face! never use it!