I never had acne before, why now?

Everyone has seen the funny commercials of teenagers using unorthodox methods as acne remedies, and there are advertisements all around us that address the problem for a younger crowd. What’s less addressed is how often adults have to deal with the frustration of the same issue.

Acne is a major source of embarrassment for people of all ages and backgrounds. It causes insecurities and it also raises a lot of questions. There are all sorts of acne out there, including pimples and cystic acne that can be painful. The acne can be treated, but it’s more difficult to pinpoint the source and get rid of the scarring that comes afterwards.

Adult acne can stem from many things.

If acne isn’t something you’ve had problems with before, you may be wondering why you have it now. You’ve kept everything the same, from your beauty regimen to your sleeping pattern, so what could it possibly come from? The truth of the matter is that as we age, our body is steadily changing in various ways and we need to adjust our skin care to cater to it.

During our teenage years, most of us had breakouts as our bodies adjusted to the raging change of our hormones. However, these changes don’t end after puberty. Many elements in our lives can alter our hormones, thus explaining some of the differences in our skin, hair, and body over time. Men and women can relate, though women seem to be more commonly affected with acne-inducing hormones. Medical conditions, menstruation, and increases in testosterone are often to blame. Hopefully, you are up to date on medical check-ups. Your doctor may find an internal issue that is leading to acne, making it much easier to prevent and cure.

What we eat matters.

One of the first things to look at is the food you eat. Our diet and lifestyle can have a significant effect on our skin. Not everyone who eats clean and uses natural products can rid themselves of acne, but the majority agrees that it definitely helps. Foods that are packed full of grease and sugar are believed to be culprits, but this remains debated.

Still, why not go easy on the bad food to promote better health? Eating well helps you to live longer, and it helps your body to repair skin much more quickly and easily. Food and drink allergies should also be considered because a reaction to what you eat can cause acne, and consequently, scars. Pay attention to what you ingest prior to a breakout as it can aid you in deciding what you need to eliminate.

On a side note, it’s not always possible as adults, but avoiding stressful situations can help with breakouts. When we are overwhelmed, our body produces cortisol and excess oil that will cause acne.

Acne: Myths vs. Facts

We also have to change our ways of thinking. Old habits die hard, but through reliable studies and improved technology, we continue to learn the facts and myths when it comes to acne. A common myth is that we shouldn’t moisturize because it will lead to oily skin and breakouts when the opposite is often true. Moisturizing prevents breakouts from dryness and also helps our skin to stay more youthful with fewer wrinkles.

We need to keep our skin clean, but dirty skin is not what causes acne. Unbeknownst to some, excessive washing can disrupt the balance of skin’s healthy oil. When natural oils are stripped, it creates the overproduction of oil to compensate, thus leading to more pimples.

The advice we should heed begins with drinking water. This is most important because the proper amounts of water keep us well-hydrated and flush out impurities. It is also important to exfoliate to remove dead skin that can block pores. It leaves our face more radiant, soft, and easily treatable. Another thing we should do is avoid touching our faces as often as possible. Our hands carry countless bacteria that are easily transferred to our faces and will irritate skin.

Remember to keep makeup sponges and phones clean. We are all tied in to our phones, and they can become a major source of germs that we unknowingly hold against our face. Exercise is another winner. We can stay in shape and rid our body of excess toxins to give us glowing, dewy skin. Additionally, it decreases stress (another cause of acne), and helps our body fight off illnesses.

Learn more about natural solutions.

Dermatologists are there to help along the way, but they can be expensive. Depending on where you live, setting appointments can mean visits that are few and far between. One of the best courses of action is to keep new acne from surfacing and making sure that the acne you already have is soothed to prevent inflammation and scarring. Do your research and seek out remedies that are natural as you eat clean and practice being positive. Not only will this help you to fight blemished skin, it will lead to a healthier, happier, and more confident you.

That’s it for this week.  As always …

Dedicated To Your Beauty

Juliette Samuel

Esthetician/Author/Publisher/Aromatherapist

Nyraju Skin Care