6 yrs, 7 mths ago

Adult acne

I’m 28 years old and in the past couple of years I’ve broken out in pimples more then i did as a teenager. (Insert sad face). I have a great facial cleaning routine day and night. Remove my make up, you name it. I use a tea tree foam cleanser, a witch hazel toner, i use a scrub twice a week and always moisturise. I’ve started to have a healthier diet and started taking fish oils/vitamins. Now I’m considering on changing my products.

I would love to hear what products you have tried that worked for you.

Thank you

21 comments 32 voices

Replies

  • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

    If a “”healthy diet”” cured acne nobody would have it.

    I have suffered from hormonal acne all my life.

    It began when I was 11 and I am still suffering at the age of 47

    It destroyed my confidence totally

  • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

    Clean & Clear moisturizer is the only thing that seems to help with my adult acne.

    I feel so cheated for even having adult acne, LOL. Damn, my parents ruined my expectations. They had me in their late 30s and they were fit and healthy and acne-free running around like awesome adults and I’m at 30 still with acne and already feeling my joints being not as spry as 10 years ago… I thought the bad stuff would be over by 30 and the next bad stuff would hold off until at least 40!

  • 6 yrs, 3 mths ago

    I’ve marked previous post by Yash2189 as spam.

  • 6 yrs, 3 mths ago

    I had to see a specialist for my skin as i had a extremely sever case of a acne and they put me on benzac cream before it was available without prescription and it really works. You start on the 2.5% then when your skin gets use to it they put you on 5% it does dry out your skin but it nothing moisturiser wont fix.

  • 6 yrs, 4 mths ago

    It’s definitely a great idea to switch up your products often because your skin gets used to the products your using and can sometimes create a resistance. I have started using the dermalogica clear range and I am finding some really great results.

    I’ve had bad skin recently due to hormones. The thing that it great about the demalogica clear range is that it comes in a travel pack, which you can use to trial the products including a cleaner, toner, exfoliant, moisturiser and night treatment. You also get a decent amount in the travel sizes so it should last you a little while.

    I purchased from gloskinbody.com.au because they are cheaper than the dermalogica website and provide you with free samples/ gift with purchase depending how much you spend. They also have after pay so its not so harsh on your wallet.

    I have seen a difference in my skin and I am very satisfied with the range. Good luck with your skin.

  • 6 yrs, 7 mths ago

    Im 21 and get random break outs, savlon the disinfectant cream works wonders on getting rid of unwanted spots quickly. Just simply caping the pimple or inflamed black head and applying some on the pimple. Helps majorly.

  • 6 yrs, 7 mths ago

    I also suffer from adult acne. I never had it when I was a teenager. It seems the older I get the worse my skin gets. I’m 28 and have breakouts continuously. I do wear a lot of makeup but that is because I am conscious of my breakouts and red skin. I take my makeup off every night and cleanse and moisturise. I try to go without wearing makeup for a few days every couple of months and have just recently started using a BB Cream rather than foundation that clogs my pores all day. Adult acne is no fun at all so I will be keeping an eye on this thread for any tips to improve my skin.

  • 6 yrs, 7 mths ago

    Hi Kim,

    How are you going on this? Have you tried anything new yet? Apologies for the long post to come… but I hope it helps in some way 🙂

    I am also 28 years old. I’ve had acne on and off since I was a teenager but in the last couple of years have noticed a qualitative shift in its type. I used to get typical teenage acne in the T-zone but over the last couple of years it has been mostly on my cheekbones (blackheads with a few getting inflamed) and chin/jawline. This recent type of acne is typical of hormonal adult acne in women great

    Anyway, as a result I’ve been doing a lot of research this year on treatments that work vs those that don’t etc and by now have it under control/ negligible – seriously the best skin of my life (oh no I sound like one of “those” adds).

    The trick is that it took a full 3-6 months to get to this point… but after 3 months even my mum (who is a GP) noticed the difference and commented on it. She asked what I was doing and confirmed the treatment with the dermatology resources she has available and we have since written up a handout for her patients suffering with teenage and adult acne including many product recommendations at all price points and she’s seeing some great result to! I wish I could attach the full document to this post but I can’t… but I’m lazy so ill probably copy and paste most of it anyway 😛

    Specifically regarding what you mentioned about your skincare above… I know some people on this forum will disagree with me but I would stop with the tea tree, the scrubbing and the witch hazel as these are all skin irritants and are probably making your breakouts worse and more inflamed. I’d switch to a gentle cleanser, a chemical exfoliant and a retinol product and of you don’t see results after 6 weeks and it is frustrating you I would encourage you to see your GP and MAKE them take you seriously and send you to a cosmetic dermatologist. Now… for my copy and paste job with all (well a lot) of the info…

    First a few resources I recommend:
    – Dr Sam Bunting on youtube (a UK dermatologist) I’m linking to “3 step approach to treating acne” playlist here, its a great resource if you have some time to watch https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_f5gGIVD5nt8j9ePCuP9AwK6CWv1Wjtk
    Most of the rest of this information is based off of information gathered on her channel as well as
    http://www.acne.org.au – An acne information website designed and run by Australian health professionals and dermatologists

    What causes acne in the first place?
    1. Pores get clogged by sticky skin cells which clump together rather than exfoliating off smoothly as they should. These clumps form plugs called comedones at the opening of the pore.
    2. Under the pore in the sebaceous gland – where oil is produced – too much oil is produced
    3. As a result of 1 & 2 the acne causing bacteria flourishes in the hair follicle leading to an immune response / inflammation (acne, think – small red bumps or large cysts).

    Therefore, to treat acne, we need ingredients that do the following:
    1. Unclog the pore
    2. Anti-inflammatory
    3. Anti-bacterial
    4. Brightening agents (to treat the dark marks left behind by spots, however these
    will generally resolve themselves with time once acne is under control)

    Key active ingredients that achieve these purposes are:
    – Retinoids/ retinol ( addresses issues 1, 4 listed above) Dermatologists gold standard acne treatment active for acne prevention.
    – Azelaic acid (1, 4) good alternative to retinol for women who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant in the near future)
    – Benzoyl peroxide (3, 2) can be too harsh for ‘grown up’ skins but i find it works well as a spot treatment for me
    – BHA/ salicylic acid (1, 2)
    – AHAs (4)
    – Niacinamide (2, 4)
    – Antibiotics (2, 3) prescribed by your doctor
    – Contraceptive pill (can help but not for all types of acne)

    The regime outlined below is suggested as a long-term goal. A basic skincare regime has three stages: Cleanse (do no harm) – treat (actives) – protect (moisturizers and sunscreen). Remember – consistency is key. None of these products will work overnight, to see results you have to commit to cleansing and treating 2x per day.

    HOWEVER, the actives that we are introducing to treat the symptoms of acne are strong and are likely to cause further skin irritation if added to your daily skincare regime too quickly. So go slow. Start by using a small amount of your actives 1-2 times per week and build up the quantity and frequency over time until you are applying them daily.

    What do I mean by slow? Very very very slow. Slower than you think slow. This process is more likely to take months (3-6) than weeks. But give your skin time to adjust and the results are worth it!!! If at any point on your journey you start experiencing skin irritation (think redness, sensitivity, or skin flaking) then back off the actives (particularly retinols) and continue cleansing and moisturising until the irritation subsides. Then start adding back the actives. Start by using less and/or applying less frequently than when the irritation first occurred and then slowly continue building up amount and frequency again. For more information on how to handle the first 6 weeks of acne treatment, how much product to use and what to do if your skin reacts, watch this video https://youtu.be/QEh9UUzz748 (seriously, if you only watch one of the videos suggested in this document, this should be it!). Also, am I allergic or just irritant? https://youtu.be/oCIYEaLcN28

    Also, DON’T GIVE UP before you have given your new regime a decent go. This means a minimum of 6 weeks consistently using the actives as prescribed. This is the approximate time it takes for your skin to go through a full cycle. You may even notice that your skin gets worse in the first couple of weeks of treatment as your skin purges comedones that had already started to form in the lower layers of your skin. However, if after this time you do not see improvements (or are not satisfied with the improvements) then see your doctor to discuss your options (which may include stronger prescription retin-A creams, referral to a dermatologist etc). Don’t give up and don’t be embarrassed about seeking medical help. If your skin is causing you distress or impacting your quality of life then it is worthy of being taken seriously.

    Bonus note: these actives are also those scientifically proven to treat and prevent the signs of aging… if that’s something you think you might worry about in the future then you can think of this as starting early for a lifetime of clear, glowing skin. (Dr Sam Bunting, my favourite YouTube dermatologist likes to say that sometimes, acne is one of the best things that can happen to a young person, because it means that they are forced to develop good skin care habits that will have long term benefits for their skin! See how to manage teen skin https://youtu.be/thqmZO-oysk)

    Soo…… after all of that, here is what I do (only mentioning the acne aspects of my skincare here)

    MORNING
    1. cleanse – in general you want to avoid physical exfoliation as this causes skin inflammation (I use la roche-posay toleraine cream cleanser)
    2. Salicylic acid ‘toner’ (i use one of Paula’s choice ones)
    3. Spot treatment for all those ‘this looks like it might be turning into a spot’ spots… I use benzac but many others swear by la roche-posay’s effaclar duo
    4. Moisturiser – Do not be afraid of using moisturisers. Moisturisers are not the enemy and they are essential for reducing skin reactivity when using strong active ingredients. A good moisturiser can make the difference between a good acne regime and one that people can’t tolerate.
    5. Sunscreen – this is extra important because of the use of retinol. Most people do not use anywhere near the quantity of sunscreen needed to get the UV protection listed on the bottle. Specific quantity recommendations vary but generally between 1⁄2 – 1tsp of sunscreen is required to adequately protect the face and neck (and ears). And yes, it does take some experimentation to find one that if pleasant to use in this quantity.

    EVENING
    1. Cleanse
    2. Retinol – I usually leave it to absorb for a minimum 10 minutes before step 3.
    3. Moisturiser
    And thats it!

    Items to AVOID using in your skincare…
    • Foaming cleansers and rough/grainy physical exfoliants. Acne is an inflammatory skin condition. Therefore, you want to AVOID using harsh (foaming) cleansers and rough/grainy exfoliants. Whilst those of us with acne prone skin are bombarded with ads that teach us that we should love and value that ‘squeaky clean’ feeling on our skin (think all those Clearasil type adds for scrubs and super foaming face washes), in reality this encourages inflammation (think big red spots) – exactly what we are trying to avoid!

    • Fragrances. It is also best to avoid added fragrances. Whilst they make products smell lovely which can add to the feel of luxury which we all love in our skincare, scents in skincare can also lead to skin reactivity and inflammation. Again, exactly what we are trying to avoid. You may find that your individual skin does not react at all to fragrance, alternatively you may find that your skin becomes more susceptible to reaction from fragrances while you are in the early stages of adding retinol actives into your skincare.

    Phew! That was long… lol dw I wont be offended if no one ever reads it all hahaha.

    • 6 yrs, 7 mths ago

      This is pretty awesome! Very interesting and informative to read!

    • 6 yrs, 7 mths ago

      Thanks for the very informative post! It`s very spot on in terms of how to deal with Acne (especially the ingredients that are key to helping) May i suggest to add moisturisers that can help with healing and brightening? As someone who comes from the asian beauty subreddits, I can`t help but recommend something like the Mizon AIO snail repair cream or the Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream. Benton has the distintion of having ingredients such as Niacinamide and Arbutin, which are ingredients known for their brightening properties, as well as Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract helps with Acne Fighting!

      Do you have any HG moisturisers?

      • 6 yrs, 7 mths ago

        Any suggestions for good websites that sell Mizon AIO snail repair cream or the Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream ?

      • 6 yrs, 7 mths ago

        Thank-you! And thanks for your additional suggestions 🙂
        I have heard that meany people do like those moisturisers. At this point in my skincare journey I like to keep my moisturisers pretty basic though especially at night because I don`t want anything compromising the effectiveness of my retinoid (cheap and cheerful and good at doing their #1 moisturising job).
        I tend to stick to Avene at night time and Bioderma sensibo under my sunscreen. My primary sunscreen does contain niacinamide though and I also add the ordinary`s niacinamide serum most days.

  • 6 yrs, 7 mths ago

    Hi Kim1989,

    I was thinking the same thing, I’m 33 and now am noticing I break out quite often compared to what I used to when I was younger- so frustrating! I don’t know what to use or what to change so I may pinch some of the tips the beauties have given you and see if it helps!

  • 6 yrs, 7 mths ago

    I am in my late 20’s and I have been breaking out consistently all over my face over the past 5 years or so. I can’t remember the last time I didn’t have at least 3 on my face! I think it’s partly to do with wearing makeup for work as I didn’t wear any before starting full time work. But it’s not as easy a solution as to just stop wearing makeup – I feel uncomfortable leaving the house without some foundation/concealer because of my bad skin. But recently I discovered the Botani acne rescue cream through BH. I am loving it as a topical treatment for my pimples. Using that product and getting enough sleep have really helped with the pimples on my forehead and the ones on my cheeks are slowly calming down.

    • 6 yrs, 7 mths ago

      Hi Vivian007,
      O i hear you! I`m not overly keen to going out without make-up on especially when I have so many breakouts. It`s hard not to wear make-up to work because there`s so much pressure to look a certain way. I remember a few years back when i decided to give my skin a break and the first thing my boss said to me `Didn`t you get much sleep lastnight? You look tired` … The truth was, I was feeling amazing & refreshed – plenty of sleep. I just didn`t do my make-up. Confidences crushed. (Sad face). She was a great boss tho. so no hard feelings. I`m sure she regretted it. Botani acne cream is going on my list, Thank you!! <3

      • 6 yrs, 7 mths ago

        sigh I feel your pain re: make-up expectations. I do live the philosophy that Lisa Eldridge has for covering up acne though. She likes to say that even for people rith really bad acne, if you look at the face as a whole canvas then usually they still have about 80% great skin and 20% spots. So she likes to always use a light base (to make the most of the good skin – and so as to not further inflame the acne) and then use heavier coverage only where needed. She does a great tutorial of is here https://youtu.be/Jwngbzv0gbY

        … The only draw back is that it is more time consuming than just slapping on a heavy coverage base 🙁 but… does that time saving even out in time if it means we all have better skin in the long run and so not as much to cover up? I dont know…?

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