5 common causes of adult acne - and how to treat it.
Acne isn't just for hormonal teenagers. Unfortunately acne does not go away once you reach your twenties.
Adult acne is fairly common, as frustrating as it may be but there are treatments available.
Knowing what causes adult acne and how to manage it might help you avoid embarrassing breakouts.
Continue reading to learn about five surprising causes of adult acne and how to get your skin back on track.
Here are the most common causes of adult acne & how to treat it
Overuse of skincare products
Many people feel that using more skincare products will make your skin healthier.
But when it comes to your skincare routine, though, less is usually more.
Did you know, for example, that overwashing your face might aggravate existing acne?
Cleansing your face twice a day with a light cleanser is usually enough; any more than that risks drying out your skin.
Beyond the texture, the problem with dry skin is that your body will overcompensate by creating excess oil, which is a breeding environment for acne.
Stick to non-comedogenic, mild products like our Uplifting Cleanser.
And whatever you do, avoid using aggressive exfoliators in your skincare routine.
Use a gentle exfoliant such as Merindah Botanicals Purifying Konjac Sponge which is gentle enough to be used twice daily.
Leaving Makeup on Overnight
You've certainly heard it before, but if you want to avoid acne well into adulthood, make sure you remove all of your makeup before going to bed, even if you are only wearing light mineral makeup.
Otherwise, you risk trapping oil, debris, and old makeup in your skin, which is a disaster waiting to happen.
Before going to bed, use a reusable makeup remover and a gentle cleanser to ensure your skin is free of all makeup, dirt and grime before following with your regularly nightly skincare routine.
Environment changes
We hate to mention it, but travelling to new places has been known to trigger outbreaks.
Acne can be triggered by a change in the environment. A sudden and dramatic spike in sun, heat, or humidity can cause your skin to spiral, which is why you might discover that you have a few additional spots when you return from your holiday.
To fight this, stay out of the sun as much as possible and use oil-free sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which may help reduce outbreaks.
Your diet
From pizza and chocolate to coffee and dairy products, there is a long list of foods that are said to promote acne. While your diet can cause acne, there is no common list of items that actually does cause acne.
Rather, because each person's body reacts differently, it's critical to try to pinpoint your own specific trigger foods.
Refined carbs and processed meals, which have a high glycemic index, are typical causes, so cutting back on those could be a good place to start.
Stress levels
It isn't fair, but the more stressed you are, the more acne-prone your skin becomes.
This is because your body's natural response to stress is to produce a hormone called cortisol, which can cause problems with your skin if it works overtime producing it.
Stress is an unfortunate aspect of almost every adult's life, therefore the trick is to manage it as best you can.
To clear up stress-related spots, get a good night's sleep as often as possible, indulge in relaxing activities like yoga or meditation, and use acne-fighting treatments containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
For more information on how stress affects your skin click here.
Acne is not just a teenage problem. If you are an adult and are struggling with acne, don't worry, you are not alone. In this article we outlined the five most common causes of adult acne and treatment options. We hope that this information was helpful for you.
Has anything in this article surprised you? Leave us a comment below!