Adult acne is a growing skin concern among women and men. There has been an alarming increase in the number of people battling adult acne over the years.
One of the prime reasons for adult acne is believed to be chronic stress. In the present times, especially in the gloomy business economy, adults are under immense stress. The stress releases hormones that lead to acne and breakouts. And in this fast paced world, people often tend to overlook skin care in their busy schedules.
Causes of Adult Acne
Genetics
If you have had a family history of acne, then you might suffer from adult acne sometime or the other in your life. So it's best to be prepared and take good care of your skin in order to prevent this from becoming a problem..
Cosmetics
Cosmetics and make-up essentials often contain comedogenic ingredients, i.e. ingredients that clog the skin pores. If you keep your make-up on the face for long periods of time, you skin pores might get clogged and give rise to acne. Avoid using cosmetics that contain mineral oil, isopropyl myristate and artificial fragrances. Women often tend to hide breakouts by covering them with heavy concealers. However, if left for too long it can aggravate the situation and make the breakouts worse.
Hormones
Hormonal fluctuations are a primary cause of teenage acne. But they can also be a cause for adult acne as well, especially in for women. Women tend to go through hormonal changes as adults, as in case of pregnancy or if using birth control pills. These changes in hormonal levels can promote acne.
Environmental Changes
Your skin can become affected by environment stressors like pollution, extreme weather conditions, excessive sun exposure, and others. All these stressors can lead to over production of skin cells. The excessive cells can get trapped in the follicles and cause breakouts.
Heat & Humidity
Hot weather increases the blood flow within the body and increases the oil production. As a result, the sebaceous glands produce more sebum which get accumulate within the skin cells and promote acne.
Medication
Certain medications may also cause acne as side effects.
Difference between Adult Acne and Teen Acne
Adult acne generally occurs around the chin, jawline and neck areas and if often accompanied by pigmentation changes. Moreover, it heals slower and makes the skin highly susceptible.
Teen acne, on the other hand can occur anywhere on the face and are most common on the cheeks. They can also heal more quickly with appropriate acne medications.
Treatment Ingredients for Adult Acne
There are a variety of products available in the market that treat adult acne. They are often combined with potent ingredients that address aging concerns as well. Here are some popular ingredients you should look for while buying skin care products for adult acne.
Clays
Magnesium, Bentonite and Kaolin help to ooze out oil (sebum) from within the skin pores and refine the texture of the skin.
Hydroxy Acids
These can be either AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) or BHAs (beta hydroxy acids). Look for salicylic acid (BHA) that can flush out oil and sebum particles and clean the skin pores. Lactic acid (AHA) helps control acne and has powerful anti-aging benefits.
Triclosan
It is an anti-microbial agent that eliminates the acne causing bacteria. It is extensively used in cleansers and toners.
Benzoyl Peroxide
It is a powerful anti-bacterial agent that eliminates almost all the anaerobic bacteria in a very short span of time (with regular use).
Sulfur
It has potent anti-bacterial properties that help to absorb oil and aids in the breakdown of keratin elements which cleans the follicles.
Anti-Inflammatories
Ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera, coneflower, green tea, spiraea, menthol, zinc sulfate and oat extract for instance help to calm acne inflammations and relieve skin irritations.
Product Suggestions:
Obagi Tretinoin Cream 0.025%
A derivative of Vitamin A, it stimulates cell turnover and contains an active ingredient in Retin-A. It stimulates the growth of healthy skin and is great to treat acne and scaly skin problems. It also has anti-aging benefits to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
iS Clinical Active Serum
This is a highly concentrated serum that effectively improves both skin texture and pigmentation. It is anti-acneic and is ideal for patients dealing with both aging skin and oily acneic skin.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar K
It is a great acne treatment for oily and sensitive skin. Effeclar K controls breakouts which in turn reduces blackheads and improves the skins texture. It contains LHA which is a micro exfoliator.
One of the prime reasons for adult acne is believed to be chronic stress. In the present times, especially in the gloomy business economy, adults are under immense stress. The stress releases hormones that lead to acne and breakouts. And in this fast paced world, people often tend to overlook skin care in their busy schedules.
Causes of Adult Acne
Genetics
If you have had a family history of acne, then you might suffer from adult acne sometime or the other in your life. So it's best to be prepared and take good care of your skin in order to prevent this from becoming a problem..
Cosmetics
Cosmetics and make-up essentials often contain comedogenic ingredients, i.e. ingredients that clog the skin pores. If you keep your make-up on the face for long periods of time, you skin pores might get clogged and give rise to acne. Avoid using cosmetics that contain mineral oil, isopropyl myristate and artificial fragrances. Women often tend to hide breakouts by covering them with heavy concealers. However, if left for too long it can aggravate the situation and make the breakouts worse.
Hormones
Hormonal fluctuations are a primary cause of teenage acne. But they can also be a cause for adult acne as well, especially in for women. Women tend to go through hormonal changes as adults, as in case of pregnancy or if using birth control pills. These changes in hormonal levels can promote acne.
Environmental Changes
Your skin can become affected by environment stressors like pollution, extreme weather conditions, excessive sun exposure, and others. All these stressors can lead to over production of skin cells. The excessive cells can get trapped in the follicles and cause breakouts.
Heat & Humidity
Hot weather increases the blood flow within the body and increases the oil production. As a result, the sebaceous glands produce more sebum which get accumulate within the skin cells and promote acne.
Medication
Certain medications may also cause acne as side effects.
Difference between Adult Acne and Teen Acne
Adult acne generally occurs around the chin, jawline and neck areas and if often accompanied by pigmentation changes. Moreover, it heals slower and makes the skin highly susceptible.
Teen acne, on the other hand can occur anywhere on the face and are most common on the cheeks. They can also heal more quickly with appropriate acne medications.
Treatment Ingredients for Adult Acne
There are a variety of products available in the market that treat adult acne. They are often combined with potent ingredients that address aging concerns as well. Here are some popular ingredients you should look for while buying skin care products for adult acne.
Clays
Magnesium, Bentonite and Kaolin help to ooze out oil (sebum) from within the skin pores and refine the texture of the skin.
Hydroxy Acids
These can be either AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) or BHAs (beta hydroxy acids). Look for salicylic acid (BHA) that can flush out oil and sebum particles and clean the skin pores. Lactic acid (AHA) helps control acne and has powerful anti-aging benefits.
Triclosan
It is an anti-microbial agent that eliminates the acne causing bacteria. It is extensively used in cleansers and toners.
Benzoyl Peroxide
It is a powerful anti-bacterial agent that eliminates almost all the anaerobic bacteria in a very short span of time (with regular use).
Sulfur
It has potent anti-bacterial properties that help to absorb oil and aids in the breakdown of keratin elements which cleans the follicles.
Anti-Inflammatories
Ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera, coneflower, green tea, spiraea, menthol, zinc sulfate and oat extract for instance help to calm acne inflammations and relieve skin irritations.
Product Suggestions:
Obagi Tretinoin Cream 0.025%
A derivative of Vitamin A, it stimulates cell turnover and contains an active ingredient in Retin-A. It stimulates the growth of healthy skin and is great to treat acne and scaly skin problems. It also has anti-aging benefits to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
iS Clinical Active Serum
This is a highly concentrated serum that effectively improves both skin texture and pigmentation. It is anti-acneic and is ideal for patients dealing with both aging skin and oily acneic skin.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar K
It is a great acne treatment for oily and sensitive skin. Effeclar K controls breakouts which in turn reduces blackheads and improves the skins texture. It contains LHA which is a micro exfoliator.