“What’s My Age?” Dealing with Adult Acne. Stress, Products, Diet, Hormones, Environmental Factors
Puberty: a time of our lives defined by bad style choices, sudden hair growth, and dreaded breakouts. Although these issues were unfortunate, they were somewhat expected and (hopefully) fleeting.
Fast forward to being a grown adult, and still experiencing one of these problems. For millions of Americans, adult acne is an extremely frustrating part of everyday life. No one wanted a pimple at 16, so it’s especially unwelcome at 28.
General Causes of Acne
Stress
If you have ever felt that a stressful event or time has caused your complexion to become congested, you’re not alone. Sebaceous glands are affected by stress hormones, causing bacteria and sebaceous fluid to clog pores. This leads to oilier skin, acne lesions and annoyance. Note: side effects of medications and genetics also play a role.
Products
If you’re acne-prone, the most frustrating advice is to simply wash your face more, when; however, over-cleansing could be the cause! When the skin is dry from product use, it will produce more sebaceous oil for rehydration, which can cause more breakouts. Common acne products such as Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide and Tretinoin dry out the skin, so a good moisturizer is absolutely necessary.
Diet
Although research does not show a direct correlation with chocolate, pizza and soda directly causing acne, diet does have an affect on skin’s overall health. Refined carbs (processed food), which are quickly converted to sugar in the body, can cause insulin levels to increase, leading to higher sebum production and clogged pores. Also, drinking plenty of water helps hydrate the skin within, leading to a clearer complexion. Remember, good skin starts from the inside out.
Hormones
Changes and imbalances in hormones are another culprit of skin conditions. Testosterone and androgen can create a surplus of oil, which can clog hair follicles. Too much or too little estrogen can increase acne during the different phases of menstruation, which is why pregnancy and menopause can affect the skin so intensely. Birth control is sometimes used to regulate these hormones, but this does not work for everyone and can even worsen the condition. Typically, pustules below the cheeks and along the jawline that are deep, cystic and sensitive have hormones to blame.
Environmental Factors
Sometimes the location of your acne can clue in to causing factors. Is your forehead breakout due to wearing hats? Are you changing your pillowcases often, or cleaning your makeup brushes enough? Toxins in the skin from daily life cause bacteria and inflammation; the perfect combination for clogged pores.
Acne: Not Just for Teens
Our self-esteem is directly influenced by our skin, especially on our faces. So what are some solutions to a disruption in clear skin?
Danne-Montague King, founder of DMK, suffered from the insecurities of acne in his younger years which inspired him to create a line of results-driven products. As a chemist, Dr, King developed an acne skincare line, and also created the Hydradermaze Advanced Treatment, which allows for increased cell turnover to cure acne and keep it from coming back.
Other topical solutions for acne include using non-comedogenic products and cosmetics, mild cleansers, a small amount of topical acne medications, and avoiding touching lesions to prevent scarring and secondary bacterial infections. Microdermabrasion assists in treating acne scars, but should not be used on active acne.
Want to hear more about adult acne? Stay in touch for some personal stories with acne, and treatment process.
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