9 Ways To Beat Adult Acne

Most teens can’t wait for the freedom of becoming an adult, but what if your teen problems like acne follow you into adulthood? Many adults who struggle with acne never break out during adolescence, but find acne to be a problem in their late 20s and 30s.

Regardless of age, acne remains primarily a hormonal problem. As an adult, stress and changing hormones can be responsible for your outbreaks. The key is knowing how to treat and prevent acne to survive an adult breakout.

Acne medication can work for some, but for others, it can still be a challenge to achieve a clear complexion. Different strategies work for everyone, so we have put together a list of methods that you can try to beat your adult acne.

Cleansing

The most important part of acne prevention is cleansing. Most acne breakouts are caused by a combination of a hormonal imbalance and clogged pores. To keep your breakouts at bay, it’s important to make sure that you are cleaning your skin twice a day. You don’t need to use heavy or harsh cleansers on your skin which can work against you by drying out your skin. Warm water, a gentle cleanser, and a soft cloth are all you need to keep dirt and sweat out of your pores. Cleansing your face in the morning and before bed is a good routine to follow. It’s also essential that you clean your face after sweating, like if you have been to the gym.

Exfoliate

Chronic acne can cause discoloration and scarring on your skin. One of the most important ways to prevent acne scarring is to exfoliate regularly. Exfoliating will help to remove old skin cells and promote new growth and collagen production. The healing process can be sped up when you use an exfoliating agent to reduce your acne. While exfoliating is an important part of the fight against your acne, it’s important to use moderation. Harsh products can damage your skin and make your breakouts last longer. Try using an exfoliating glove or brush with a gentle cleanser to get the best results.

Natural Products

Many commercial products contain harsh ingredients that can be a catalyst for breakouts. It’s important to maintain a healthy pH balance to avoid acne flare-ups. Natural products that are paraffin-free are gentler on your skin and won’t interfere with your balance.

Dietary Changes

If you have tried everything to fight your acne with no results, you may want to take a closer look at your diet. Your acne could be a result of an unhealthy digestive system or “gut”. When your system is out of balance, it affects your hormone production, which can lead to a breakout.

You can start by limiting the amount of dairy, processed foods, and high-protein carbs from your diet. Replace these items with foods that are high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory foods. Some examples of these types of gut-healthy foods include blueberries, broccoli, kale, spinach, and avocados.

Stress Management

For adults that are struggling with acne, stress can be a major trigger. When you are living with high levels of stress, it puts a tremendous strain on your immune system. When this happens, you are more likely to have a toxic skin environment and out-of-balance hormone levels that will lead to a breakout.

Managing stress can improve your overall quality of life. Practice self-care daily and make your own mental health a priority. From participating in hobbies that relax and inspire you to joining a yoga class, there are many things that you can do to manage your stress.

Prescriptions

Suppose you have made lifestyle changes and tried every natural remedy that you can find on the internet without any results. In that case, you may want to consider taking prescription medication. Your dermatologist can provide you with the right treatment. You may have a medicated cream that you can apply topically or a hormone regulator in pill format.

Masks

Natural herbal masks that are blended to clear out pores and relieve irritation on the skin can be an effective treatment for adult acne. Choose a mask that has calming ingredients like cucumber or tea. Masks that dry and are then peeled off can help you to give your pores a deep cleaning. It’s important to use your masks sparingly as too much masking can end up drying out your skin.

Laundry

It’s so important to keep your skin clean when you are fighting adult acne. This applies to your clothing and bed sheets too. When you sleep with your face against a soiled pillowcase or surrounded by dirty sheets, you are more likely to suffer from frequent acne breakouts. If you have oily skin that rubs off your clothes and sheets, it’s important to do your laundry more often. Washing your pillowcase once a week can help to keep your breakouts away.

Hands-Free

The temptation to pick at your acne can be overwhelming. While we all know that you shouldn’t pick, it’s a challenge to leave your face hands free. When you touch your face too often, you are transferring sweat, dirt, and oil directly onto your face. This residue can result in a bad breakout. When you are struggling with adult acne, the most important rule is to keep your hands away from your face.

Picking at your acne can result in damaging scars that will last forever. If you don’t want to end up with permanent pockmarks on your skin, you have to resist the urge to pick. When you have actively inflamed acne, it is essentially an open sore on the skin. Using your nails and fingers to touch it can cause infection.

Living with adult acne can be frustrating and embarrassing. The good news is that most acne can be corrected with the right combination of lifestyle and diet changes and medication. Follow these tips including keeping your face hands-free, cleansing twice daily, using gentle masks, and managing your stress to help you beat your adult acne and get the skin that you have always wanted.

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