Just when you thought the worst was over.
Are you in your 20s, 30s, or even 40s and above, but still suffering from acne? You might just be a victim of adult acne. But hey, you’re not alone in this!
Adult acne may feel like a cruel joke that life bestowed upon you. You’re finally of an age where you are free from the clutches of puberty, and maybe you were even enjoying a long period of acne-free skin when, without warning, a splattering of breakouts appeared on your skin.
It’s sudden, it’s confusing, and it’s completely valid to feel scared about it. We’re here to help you understand why adult acne happens, and how you can treat it.
There’s no singular reason behind adult acne. In fact, it is likely due to a combination of several factors.
1) Hormones
Hormonal fluctuations due to pregnancy, changing or stopping usage of birth control pills, or our monthly menstrual cycle can all contribute to breakouts. Another common cause of adult acne involves the hormone cortisol, which is affected by…??
2) Stress
If you’re constantly stressed out and running on empty, the effects will eventually show on your skin. Your body will overproduce cortisol when you’re under tremendous pressure and lacking sleep. Cortisol also encourages the skin’s sebaceous glands to produce more sebum.
3) Dry skin
Your skin dries out as you age. Unfortunately the absence of oil can also stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce more oil in order to naturally correct itself. It may in turn result in acne! So you’re in a lose-lose situation either way.
4) Diet
As the saying goes “you are what you eat” and your diet is a key factor in your health. If you’re consuming junk regularly since your teens, don’t expect your doctor to give you a clean bill of health when you reach your 30s. Greasy foods, dairy products and foods high in processed sugar (yup, that includes boba!?) can trigger acne, so avoid them if you can resist the temptation!
Alright, so is there a way we can stop adult acne?
If the underlying factors are not addressed, it is possible for your acne to recur. But don’t lose hope as you can still treat it!
It’s easier to treat your acne if you know its exact cause. That way, you can immediately make the necessary changes and prevent the acne from coming back. The best way to reach an accurate diagnosis is by keeping track of your daily life in as detailed a manner as possible for at least 3 months. Treat it as a skincare diary of sorts, and fill it with daily notes on your diet, menstrual cycle, weather, sleep, and other lifestyle factors that you feel could be affecting your skin. The goal is to find a pattern surrounding your breakouts. Once you have pinpointed the cause, it will be much easier to treat your acne.
Here’s our very own cheat-sheet for acne-prone skin:
1) How to prevent acne
Increased sebum forms a perfect breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria so you will want an acti-bacterial product that soothes your breakouts, while also clearing and preventing the formation of acne. ést.lab PurClear Nano Silver AG+ Essence does exactly that with key ingredients like nano silver, chamomile extract, and alpine willowherb extract.
2) How to treat angry zits
To combat redness and inflammation, use products that help to reduce skin sensitivity and soothe redness. Try the ést.lab ActivCalm Anti-Stress Hydra Cream which contains Alpha-Bisabolol with anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, and it even accelerates wound healing!
3) How to resolve recurring acne
Treat yourself to regular facials, like Estetica’s Acne Biotic Facial, to both de-stress and solve your acne woes. Winner of Her World Spa Awards Best Anti-Acne Facial, “You can expect overall better skin – think a smoother look with less-obvious pores, and reduced appearance of scars, blemishes and blackheads – after one session.” Try it for yourself now!
In Good Hands,
Estetica
Sources:
https://www.byrdie.com/adult-acne-struggle
https://www.byrdie.com/what-age-does-acne-go-away
https://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/13-habits-for-zits https://flo.health/menstrual-cycle/health/symptoms-and-diseases/acne-before-period
