Most of us have battled acne when we hit puberty. We just couldn’t wait for our teens to end so we could finally enjoy clear skin too. But what happens when your teens never end? It becomes an eternal kind of toxic relationship with the phenomena that is, adult acne. From zits to cystic acne, adult acne is a reality for a few of us. And thanks to our face-paced lifestyles, most of us are prone to go through it at least once in adulthood. We wasted no time and spoke to an expert about the best ways to deal with adult acne!
What Is Adult Acne?
Adult acne is a case of breakouts ranging from mild to pretty intense in your late twenties, thirties, forties and sometimes before menopause hits. Adult acne can sometimes be cystic, hormonal or just a case of your skin calling for help. It’s heartbreaking, to say the least; being a grown up with a face full of acne, but identifying the cause of acne in your adult years is *crucial.* While it may not always be essential for you to take medication or any kind of treatment for acne, it is always recommended that you consult a specialist. This way, you rule out the root causes which could vary from hormone imbalances, cholesterol and your lifestyle.
Also Read How To Get Rid Of Butt Acne
Potential Triggers You Should Know About
Adult acne can be triggered by external and internal factors like hormonal changes, lifestyle, stress, pollution, excess oil secretion, clogged pores, lack of sleep and inadequate nutrition. An underlying problem is usually the trigger, and the earlier you identify it and correct it, the better.
Expert Speak: Best Ways To Deal With Acne
“The only home remedy I recommend to patients is to alternate between warm and cold compresses,” says Dr. Kiran Lohia, Lumiere Dermatology, a dermatologist based in New Delhi. Warm compresses can be used to open clogged pores for the acne to heal faster. When going out, you can apply ice directly to acne. This reduces inflammation and redness. You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil to your moisturiser to soothe irritated skin. “When your acne gets out of control, it’s best to take over-the-counter medicines to treat acne,” adds Lohia.
Effective Ways To Deal With Adult Acne At Home
And now, as promised, here are a few things you can do to counter adult acne.
1. Get your skin’s pH balance back to normal.
Dust, pollution and acne can affect your skin’s pH levels. Use a gentle cleanser twice a day to see a significant improvement! We love the Avene Clenance Gel and the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser which is dermatologically tested and is great for sensitive skin.
2. Exfoliate once a week.
Exfoliation will keep your skin soft, supple and glowy. If you have sensitive skin, exfoliate weekly. If you have oily to normal skin you can exfoliate 2-3 times a week.
3. Sweat it out and de-stress!
Since stress can be a huge trigger, the best way to combat it is with a good sweat session. Exercise keeps you healthy, lends a healthy glow to your skin and promotes happy hormones. Try to squeeze in a workout every day. If you can’t manage that every day, aim for at least 3-4 times a week. Yoga is a great way to get a workout and de-stress your mind and body!
4. Try homemade face packs.
Whip up a face pack with rice flour, turmeric, gram flour and milk to detox your skin! The turmeric also acts as an antifungal agent and helps get rid of bacteria. Fuller’s earth and rose water is a quick and easy DIY face pack perfect for oily, acne-prone skin. Oatmeal with honey and milk is another facepack that works wonders for sensitive skin. If you’re not a DIY kinda gal, check out these face masks that are perfect for acne-prone skin.
5. Cut down on sugar.
Sugar-heavy foods and carbs are known triggers for acne. As age catches up, your metabolism can slow down which means digesting certain kinds of foods gets tougher. Maintain an active lifestyle and get your fill of veggies and fruits for a balanced diet.
6. Double-check ingredients when buying make-up.
Is your make-up causing you to break out? Stop using everything for a couple of days and see how your skin feels. If you’re not breaking out, chances are your beauty routine wasn’t the best for your skin. Reset your routine with non-comedogenic products like Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion (Rs 695) and Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream (Rs 2,500)
Always remember to refrain from self-diagnosis. Consult a dermatologist in time!