One myth many adults tend to believe is that acne stops once a person reaches adulthood. However, according to the Dermatology & Skin Care Center, adult acne can still appear in women well into their 40s. Studies show that about 50% of women in their 20s are still affected by acne. For women in their 30s and 40s, that percentage lowers to 30% and 25% respectively. Common causes of acne in adults include hormonal imbalance, clogged pores, and physical or emotional stress. Below, we’ll go over the different ways women can prevent adult acne
Cleanse Thoroughly and Regularly
Adult acne can occur when dirt, oil, or dead skin cells clog pores and prevent the skin from breathing. Add an effective acne wash to your anti-acne regime to help clear away any impurities. Cleansers with salicylic acid can remove dead skin and excess oil to free up congested pores. Spend at least 60 seconds washing your face gently for maximum effectiveness.
Exfoliate Weekly
To further rid your skin of dead skin cells, it will help to add exfoliation to your weekly skincare routine. When you exfoliate, you can remove entire layers of dead skin cells, which not only reduces the risk of acne but also restores your skin’s natural, healthy glow. Exfoliating can also stimulate collagen to give your skin a plump, tight appearance. Experts recommend using exfoliating products at least once or twice a week.
Pick The Right Skincare Products
To follow a good skincare routine for acne you need to look out for certain ingredients in skincare products. Noncomedogenic products, for example, only use ingredients that are known not to clog pores. A non-comedogenic moisturizer will help you boost skin hydration while allowing your skin to breathe. Noncomedogenic sunscreens, on the other hand, will give your skin protection against harmful UV rays.
One specific ingredient that can help fight acne is benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide helps clear pores by absorbing excess oil and preventing fungal or bacterial growth. You can apply a benzoyl peroxide gel onto your skin after washing your skin with cleansers.
Avoid Stress
Physical, emotional, and mental stress can worsen adult acne. When a person undergoes extreme pressure, their body will release increasing amounts of the stress hormone cortisol, which alerts the sebaceous glands into secreting more oil into the skin. This increases the likelihood of clogged pores, putting the skin at a higher risk of developing acne.
To avoid stress-induced acne, you can look into different stress management techniques. Regular physical activity, for example, can reduce levels of cortisol in the body and promote the production of happy hormones serotonin and dopamine. You can also try mindfulness and relaxation techniques in order to better process negative emotions.
Eat The Right Food
Certain foods, especially junk food and sugar, can worsen instances of acne. Consuming sugar and refined grains like white rice, pasta, and bread can raise levels of insulin in the body, which can boost sebum production and clog pores. To reduce instances of adult acne, follow low-glycemic diets, which limit sugar and refined carbohydrate consumption.
You can also consume foods that are beneficial to the skin. Foods with zinc, antioxidants, vitamins A and E, have all been proven to fight inflammation, and thus reduce acne severity. Skin-friendly foods with these nutrients include spinach, carrots, tomatoes, blueberries, peas, and lentils.
Though the likelihood of developing acne decreases with age, adults still need to take extra steps to protect their skin. Fortunately, acne can be easily prevented with the right skin care techniques, stress management strategies, and diet.
