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    How to combat adult acne

    25 Jul 2019 11:00 AM | Posted by
    bh's Rosemary Taber's picture
    bh's Rosemary Taber
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    Adult acne somehow seems even more unfair than the bursts of blemishes we dealt with as teens - it's a cruel joke to have to simultaneously deal with wrinkles and pimples. The first thing others see when they meet you is your face, and if you’re fighting a daily battle with adult acne, it can really play on your confidence. Not only can adult acne be painful both physically and mentally, it can be incredibly difficult to manage and treat and – ultimately – get rid of completely.

    RELATED: Everything you need to know about pimples
    RELATED: The truth about blind pimples

    To help shed some light on why some of us have to deal with adult acne and the best ways to treat it, we spoke to an expert to get some answers…

    What causes adult acne?

    There are a number of factors that can cause adult acne, but hormones are usually the main culprit. “Adult acne can be highly influenced by hormonal factors, which in turn can be influenced by stress, diet, [or] polycystic ovary syndrome,” says Rachel McAdam, La Roche-Posay Medical Relations Manager. “Regardless of the deeper cause of acne, it’s the same skin issues that are involved as in adolescent acne. Adult acne can be more persistent and driven largely by cyclic hormonal fluctuations, but the same issues in the skin are occurring, such as inflammation, bacteria, oil and cell turnover,” she says.

    How can I tell the difference between adult acne and breakouts?

    To have adult acne, you don’t have to be suffering from persistent breakouts or inflamed whiteheads – the regular occurrence of a blind pimple or breakout before your period is technically adult acne, too. “In females, adult acne tends to occur around the mouth and jawline in females, but can also occur anywhere on the face, too,” explains Rachel.

    “The pimples themselves can be deeper in nature and not form a visible pustule (blind pimple). They can also appear in cycles.” In fact, adult acne affects around 35 per cent of females, according to Rachel.

    Can you get rid of adult acne? What are the best ways to treat it?

    The good news is that when treated properly, adult acne can be managed. “Adult acne can be persistent and difficult to completely eliminate,” says Rachel. “Understanding and possibly addressing the deeper cause with your doctor or dermatologist is important. You can also make a difference with topical treatments. Give the skin as much of a chance to fight cell congestion, excess oil and inflammation. Some skin care ingredients to look for include niacinamide (at least 2 per cent) and beta hydroxy-acids.”

    To get you on your way to clearer, healthier-looking skin, try these skin care goodies formulated specifically to help target, relieve and manage acne…

    Cleansers for acne: SkinB5 Acne Control Cleansing Mousse, Clean & Clear ® Advantage Continuous Control Acne Cleanser

    Serums for acne: Mary Kay ® Pore Purifying Serum for Acne- Prone Skin, Ella Baché Serum Marin

    Moisturisers for acne: DMK ACU-MOIST, Avène TriAcnéal Expert

    Acne treatments: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Plus, Clearasil Ultra Extra Strength Acne Treatment Cream

    Main image credit: Getty Images

    Do you suffer from adult acne? What are your top tips for dealing with it?

    Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?

    Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.

    Ella Bache Strengthening Serum
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    Avène TriAcnéal Expert
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    La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Anti-Acne Moisturiser
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    Clearasil Ultra Extra Strength Acne Treatment Cream
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    96 Member Comments

    kiersolace 24 Jun 2020 1:21 AM

    Great article. Struggled with acne for years. I've only found one solution out of all the products ive tried, prescribed or otherwise. It's called hypochlorous acid spray. It's all natural with potent anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties. It has proven to be extremely effective against my severe acne (hormonal/stress). Reduced swelling and redness within a few days and I have not had acne in over a month. This is the product I use personally. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08978XYJK?ref=myi_title_dp

    Love bug 8 May 2020 11:56 AM

    Fluctuating hormones are literally the bane of my existence and I don't know if other women can vouch for me on this but they're terrible. Hormones affect everything in your body, your mood, acne, body weight, just how sleep you are how energetic everything. And the thing that sucks is that they're always jumping around everywhere, with me anyway, just not stable

    nancydcosta 11 Sep 2019 10:04 PM

    Acne is the worst problem anyone can have. At times I was suffering from the really bad acne and that one of my friends suggested me of the Arch 2 Arch Spa and Threading Salon, which is the best Threading salon in Memphis. They have the best treatments for removing acne in a very professional manner. I must recommend you alslo.

    Marie D. Reed 20 Aug 2019 7:28 PM

    Is anybody has a natural solution?

    Sharonjudee 14 Aug 2019 4:02 AM

    There is a new natural cure to cystic acne that worked well for me if u wanna have a look at it go to https://trends.bitrix24.site/natural-acne-supplement

    Rose_P 9 Aug 2019 9:21 PM

    Thank goodness I’ve never had problems with acne, even as a teenager.

    Miss19 9 Aug 2019 3:50 PM

    Adult acne is the worst! I can't say it enough, it really destroyed my confidence for awhile

    ThisIsMe 6 Aug 2019 11:49 AM

    I do get breakouts but I wouldn't say I have acne as my skin is pretty good considering.

    NellAdams 31 Jul 2019 2:19 PM

    I feel like most of my acne is related to my cycle/hormones and I really don't like messing with my hormones any more than I HAVE to for birth control, so I've come to just accept that I can't control my acne without spending a LOT of money and time.

    Shop A Everyday 25 Jul 2019 10:46 PM

    Oh my chin pimples are driving me mad

    Tee631 25 Jul 2019 10:32 PM

    It is cruel for wrinkles and acne

    skincare junkie 25 Jul 2019 10:23 PM

    I don't have acne but my favourite to treat my jawline breakout is Dermalogica daily resurfacer. Works for me everytime.

    Lucy16 25 Jul 2019 10:42 PM

    You are a Dermalogica devotee SJ!

    ☺️☺️❤️

    skincare junkie 26 Jul 2019 8:55 PM

    I might be its biggest fan :)

    Miss19 25 Jul 2019 2:18 PM

    I barely had acne as a teenager and when I got two my mid 20's my skin went really bad due to stress and health changes. I realised a lot of my acne is hormonal which sucks

    clearcrystalwater 25 Jul 2019 2:16 PM

    Yes I can still be prone to a stress pimple on the corner areas of my chin!

    Lucy16 25 Jul 2019 10:44 PM

    Similar issues here but recently, I think my skin is purging from introducing the FOREO into my routine.

    It should clear up soon!

    Yohanna 25 Jul 2019 2:03 PM

    Not any more. Diet change fixed the thing. It balanced hormones and eliminated stress that bad food had on the body and brains. So now if I get something is due to testing new skincare that does not agree witht he skin or overdoing with something =D

    Beauty Fan 69 25 Jul 2019 1:29 PM

    A very helpful read with lots of information, thanks.

    Margi59 25 Jul 2019 12:15 PM

    Adult Acne is the worst always get a spot or two come up around the bottom of my nose or chin it is just so annoying. Still get blind pimples occasionally and I eat a healthy diet, the only thing I use is methylated Spirits on a cotton bud it seems to dry it out and it's gone in a couple of days.

    But like many here I thought those days were gone, unfortunately not.

    Goddess..... 27 Sep 2017 4:58 PM

    Having good product's in place helps this problem & getting rid of them for good. I highly recommend using Proactiv I used this when I had pimples on my face & got rid of them.

    tammerly sara 10 Aug 2017 4:31 PM

    A few months ago winter came along and disrupted my skin badly and suddenly I was breaking out like crazy (which only confused me as my skin is dry). Turns out my skin was really dehydrated and my skincare was not doing its job so skin was breaking out as it to deal with the changes. Now I have upped the hydration and swapped my skincare products and tings are a lot better. Blemishes pretty much stopped dead in their tracks!

    Pandagirl 10 Aug 2017 7:40 AM

    I have a friend who really struggles with adult acne and has been to so many specialists, eats an incredibly healthy diet, has taken all sorts of prescribed and herbal things to no avail :(

    joannachiem 8 Aug 2017 11:58 PM

    I was hoping acne would stop in my early twenties

    Cynful 13 Apr 2017 6:46 PM

    Great article! Its something that i thought i wouldn't have to deal with outside of my teens and yet... here I am. Stress, hormones and life in general cause most of it but using the incorrect skincare adds to the extra break outs

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