July 15, 2020 5 min read
You may have reached a point in adulthood where you realized you were no longer a youth, but you are still experiencing acne breakouts. You may feel surprised and frustrated to find acne popping up in your 20’s or 30’s, despite having survived puberty already. Well, that is because it is a common misconception that acne is reserved for young teens whose bodies are changing due to hormones and puberty. It’s a common myth that acne is an unfortunate drawback of being an adolescent. However, most of the things that cause acne in teenagers also contribute to adult acne, such as hormonal shifts, diet, improper skincare regimens, and stress. 40-55% of adults suffer from adult acne, which shows just how common it actually is.
If acne isn’t just a symptom of puberty, what is it? Acne is a chronic skin condition that causes whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. It is caused by inflammation of the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of the skin. The sebaceous glands produce sebum (oil) with the purpose of moisturizing the skin and hair. The hair follicles work to push sebum and other cellular debris to the surface of the skin to be excreted. When the sebaceous glands are over-stimulated and sent into an overproduction of sebum, the hair follicles are unable to discard excess sebum, causing blockage and clogging. The clogged area causes bacteria in the hair follicles to multiply, leading to acne breakouts. Many areas of the body can be affected, however, the most common areas include the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders.
Skincare routine: Develop a consistent skincare routine that includes a cleanser, exfoliant, and moisturizer. If your acne is persistent, use a spot treatment.
Skincare Products: When it comes down to the products that you include in your skincare routine, it is imperative to read the label first. Many products claim to be the holy grail of acne busters, however, when you get down to reading the label you will learn which are actually best for your skin. Ingredients to look out for are:
Non-comedogenic: Products that are non-comedogenic are formulated with ingredients that have little to no chance of clogging your pores
Over-the-counter acne treatment products that work hard to help you maintain acne-free skin
Diet: As we mentioned before, what you put into your body matters. Too much sugar, dairy products, and saturated fats can cause inflammation resulting in acne. Maintaining a diet rich in complex carbohydrates, zinc, vitamin A and E, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants can help make sure that your body is actively fighting off acne and keeping the hormones and sebaceous glands balanced.
Acne is the last thing you want to be worried about. Unfortunately, at some point in adulthood, most people experience this skin condition. We want to remind you that this is not a life sentence. We believe everybody deserves clear skin and there are ways to address and prevent acne breakouts topically and internally. We recommend contacting a dermatologist for more intense and effective treatment dermatology options if these tips don’t help you.
Acne breakouts are possible even after puberty, in your 20's and 30's.
Acne is a chronic skin condition caused by inflammation triggered by bacteria.
Underlying causes of acne include: hormonal changes, stress, diet, and inadequate skincare.
Treatment and prevention of adult acne relies on proper skincare, good quality topical products, and dietary changes, such as daily supplementation.
Take our quiz and find which supplements your body is craving.
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