7 Reasons You’re Struggling with Adult Acne

Acne is believed to be a teenage problem. It becomes a cruel joke for people heading to the exit lane with anti-acne treatments in their 20s and 30s, or beyond. Unfortunately, you yourself might be responsible for adult acne. Or let’s be specific, you beauty habits are to be blamed for causing the zits.

You could be using beauty products with 10 percent benzoyl peroxide, or covering up the acne scars with concealer. By doing this, you’re probably counteracting your own efforts to get a great-looking skin. Check out the post below with some common behaviours that may be working against you. 

Cleansing Habit

Cleansers with alcohol are harsh on your skin. There are antimicrobial peptides in your skin's natural oils called ‘defensins.’ One of the worst things adults do is strip away those oils with soap, witch hazel, or toner that neutralizes antimicrobial peptides because all of these are alcohol-based. Alcohol-free products are best; pick your cleanser carefully.

Acne Fighters

Benzoyl peroxide (BP), is a medication used to treat mild to moderate acne and comes in cleansing liquid or bar, lotion, cream, and gel form. 10 % of BP was as relevant to high school as pop bands. But as we age, our skin loses its moisture, and BP is drying in nature, so the 10% dose can cause irritation. With coming age, you need to be gentle on your skin. For new breakouts, use a wash with 5 percent BP the first two days of a breakout. On days three and four, apply on cortisone cream to inhibit inflammation.

Pimple Popping

When you pop your acne with your fingers, it pushes the goo in (gross!). Comedone extractor can help you pop your zit. If you do get a whitehead, buy a comedone extractor to pop it. Its even pressure expels, rather than pushing in the goo. 

Spot-free Treatment

A concealer is a band-aid solution for acne scars; it doesn’t help prevent scarring. Instead of it, you must use a spot-fading treatment. When you need to be blemish-free stat, head to your dermatologist’s office. A cortisone injection can make the pimple disappear within 24 hours.

Stress Factor

Adult stressors like a high-pressure job or a messy relationship can weaken your immune system, making it easier for bacteria to build up, and also mess with the body's release of cortisone, an anti-inflammatory hormone. Reducing stressors or find new ways to ease tension helps prevent zit breakout.

Eating Right

Foods with a high glycaemic index, such as processed sugar, corn syrup, pasta etc have been linked to adult-onset acne. Some people get rid of acne just by giving up gluten, without a prescription from the dermatologist. Also, 2% milk is better than skim in keeping hormones from causing breakouts.

Correct Prescription

Some people keep using the topical treatment for their acne and don’t get the correct prescription for their problem. If over-the-counter options aren't working after a few months, see a doc. They may prescribe you spironolactone, an anti-testosterone pill. It reduces oil production but usually doesn't hormonally affect other parts of the body of adult women.

All these beauty habits can make your acne volatile in nature and you don’t want that. So, it is a good idea to steer clear of these right now.