We’ve all woken up to the dreaded pimple as a teenager, but as an adult, acne can be particularly frustrating. If you’re experiencing congestion and breakouts as an adult, you’re not alone. As pesky as it can be, adult acne is relatively common. Read on for a breakdown of why adult acne happens and what you can do to help treat it.
Adult Acne: What Causes It?
There are many misconceptions when it comes to breakouts and the cause of acne varies from person to person. However, there are a few common sources of acne that can be addressed.
Hormonal Changes & Imbalances
Fluctuations in hormones, particularly around the menstrual cycle, can increase hormones called androgens and cause our skin to produce more oil. This overproduction of sebum can result in breakouts, which is why many women experience acne before or during their periods.
Changes in hormone medications like birth control can also impact your skin.
Stress
Stress can wreak havoc on many processes in our bodies and it’s crucial to incorporate methods of self-care to try and keep stress levels low. Stress makes our bodies produce cortisol, also known as the stress hormone. Cortisol can trigger our skin to produce excess sebum and result in congestion and breakouts.
Diet
“You are what you eat.” The old proverb had something right: when we fill our diets with nourishing foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, our body has the capacity to create balanced, glowing skin because of the support and nutrients it receives from the food.
Unfortunately, when we eat foods high in refined sugars and processed foods, it can result in inflammation – even in our skin.
Some people also have a sensitivity to dairy which causes breakouts. If you’re not sure, see your dermatologist to be tested.
How To Prevent & Treat Adult Acne
There are few no-brainers when it comes to adult acne like washing your face daily and keeping your body hydrated. But there are also other ways to minimize breakouts and keep your skin clear. Here are our top methods:
Exercise
We know that exercise had a myriad of benefits for our mental and physical health, but did you know that it can also help to reduce acne? When we exercise regularly, our bodies use endorphins as a natural stress reliever and prevent the overproduction of cortisol.
Even better? Try exercising outdoors. Being in nature is known to lower stress levels and can be a wonderful part of your self-care routine.
Supportive Skincare
Building a personalized skincare routine is going to be the most important step you take in preventing and treating breakouts. These are a few of our most-loved products for acne-prone skin:
● Cleanser: Etymologie’s Active Clay Cleanser. This aloe-based facial cleanser removes dirt, makeup, and impurities while detoxifying your skin with red clay.
● Exfoliation: LASPA’s Intensive Glycolic Peel 10% Overnight Treatment. Treat acne and post-inflammatory pigmentation with this brightening peel.
● Moisturizer: LUXE Botanic’s Kigelia Corrective Moisturizer. Restore essential moisture and gently soothe inflamed skin with cucumber extract and blue passion flower.
● Spot Treatment: Cocoon Apothecary’s Spot Dabber. Want to zap a breakout quickly? Use this tea tree-infused solution on your spot to help reduce redness and inflammation.
Whether you’re experiencing the odd pimple or more frequent breakouts, we’re here to help! Send us a message on Instagram @thetruthbeautycompany or visit us in store for a complimentary skincare consultation.
