We’re all grateful our teenage years are behind us.
For some of us, though, we get a reminder of that phase of life every time we look in the mirror. Yep, we are talking about adult acne.
Some people go through their entire adolescence without a blemish in sight and then BAM. Breakout city as you turn thirty. Adult acne can feel frustrating and isolating.
First off, Mamas, it’s important to know that you are not alone. Almost 50% of adult women between 20-30 report dealing with breakouts. Acne is not a sign that your skin is “dirty,” and it does not make you any less beautiful.
We’ve got your back. We are breaking down the main causes behind adult acne and giving you our favorite strategies to help take control of your skin.
But Why Am I Breaking Out?
At its core, adult acne is not that different from the breakouts you’d get as a teen. Your skin is producing an excess of oil, leading to clogged pores that become inflamed.
Acne can come in three stages. There’s mild acne, typically characterized by blackheads and whiteheads. Moderate acne, which consists of more frequent papules and pustules. And, of course, there is severe acne, where cystic acne covers a significant portion of the face.
Let’s start with the bad news: some people are simply predisposed to acne. One of the biggest determining factors of your skin is genetics. If your family members struggled with acne, chances are you will too.
There are other reasons you might be breaking out though, besides your genes. Typically, women suffer from acne more than men do. This is likely due to the hormonal changes our bodies go through each month.
Hormonal changes aren’t the only things that cause acne. Your skin can develop irritation to things like makeup, hair products, and even the food you are eating! Additionally, high levels of cortisol, due to stress, can make your face breakout.
If that sounds overwhelming, don’t worry. There are some immediate steps you can take to find the root cause of your acne.
Track Your Breakouts
One of the most important things you can do, on your journey to clear your skin, is to keep track of when you break out. Logging information about your skin can help you identify triggers and patterns.
You can absolutely do this by hand, but we recommend downloading an app like miiskin. Miiskin lets you take daily photos of your face, so that you can track your progress. The app allows you to take notes, and keeps your progress photos out of your camera roll, to protect your mental health.
Take note of what foods you ate that day, and what products you used, to get a better sense of what is irritating your skin. It can also be useful to note which days you get your period on. That will help give you a better sense of whether the problem is hormonal or not.
Go Makeup Free
If you struggle with acne, the thought of going makeup free in public can be really scary. Many of us wear makeup to cover up our insecurities and aren’t used to seeing our faces without it.
It’s important to remember that no one is judging our faces as harshly as we are.
However, if your pores are clogged, giving them space to breathe can be one of the best things you can do. Ditching your makeup products will help get rid of excess buildup in your pores. It’s also a great way to test whether your makeup products are the thing irritating your skin.
Ditch The Fragrances
There are many ingredients that can be irritating to your skin. For many people though, fragrance is one of the main culprits. As you start looking for products that will help, try to select products that are free of fragrance, for best results.
Clean Up Your Diet
Some people find that switching up their diet can make a huge difference for their skin. Many people start by avoiding dairy products. Studies have shown a link between milk consumption and acne, but the reasons why are a bit unclear. Some scientists suspect that the hormones in milk cause extra inflammation in the body, leading to breakouts.
Other culprits can include high levels of sugar, refined grains, and greasy food.
Slowly Add In Treatments
If you’ve struggled with acne for awhile, it’s likely that you’ve tried many products out there to help deal with the problem. Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are two of the most commonly recommended ingredients for dealing with acne.
These products can be strong, though, and irritating to the skin if you don’t ease into using them. For best results, try incorporating anti-acne products into your routine, slowly. Start by using them 2-3 times a week, increasing in frequency as time goes on.
Try A Double Cleanse
Double cleansing is a skincare regimen that gained attention through K-beauty skincare routines. The skin is first cleansed with a gentle product like a cleansing balm, oil, or micellar water to remove any makeup or skin products from the day. Afterwards, you wash again with a face wash that fully cleanses the face.
Because acne is caused by a buildup of oil, double cleansing can be a great way to make sure products are not contributing to congestion.
Talk To A Dermatologist
If you are struggling, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to make an appointment with a dermatologist. It can be tempting to try and manage acne on your own, but you’ll find it is a process with a lot of trial and error. A dermatologist can set you on the right path much faster, and offer you prescriptions to stronger medicine.
Have you struggled with adult acne? What has been the biggest help on your journey? Share with us in the comments below.