Adult Acne FAQ
What causes adult acne?
Certain drugs, such as lithium, anti-epileptic medications and steroids can cause acne. Occupations that involve close contact with chemicals and outdoor jobs that require long days in the sun can also be culprits. Restrictive clothing that causes excess sweating is another problem. Heredity may be another primary cause.
What type of topical treatment is best for my skin?
Non-prescription products such as the Glytone Acne Treatment Kit offer patients a wide variety of choices. Products containing salicylic acid and retinol are great for adult skin. Retinol, the purest form of Vitamin A, encourages healthy cell activity and reproduction. Other ingredients to look for are zinc oxide, sulfur and camphor.
What else can I do to control adult acne?
An exercise routine helps to regulate circulation. Yoga helps sooth internal organs, and swimming not only tones the body but reduces oil buildup in the skin. Getting out of the office and into sunshine and fresh air helps too. Orthotricyclen is an option for women who use birth control pills, as it was originally designed to control acne. Do not touch or squeeze pimples, as this may cause scarring.
What types of makeup are best to use for those with adult acne?
Some makeup only conceals acne; however, there are several products that treat as well as cover, including foundations Pure Pores Hide and Heal – Light by Joey New York and Multi-Function Concealer – Light by Exuviance. Always look for oil-free, non-comedogenic makeup with natural ingredients. Use powder blushes and throw away makeup sponges after use.
When is oral medication necessary?
In severe cases, medications like Accutane, Retin-A, and for women, the birth control pill Yasmin are prescribed, though they may not always clear up the condition entirely.
Will vitamins and supplements help?
Vitamins A, B-complex, C and E, along with supplements like burdock root (a blood purifier) and zinc, are recommended to relieve clogged pores and promote healthier skin.
Zinc is helpful in healing pimples and eases hormonal influences on the skin. Multi-Vitamins, Minerals and Nutrients by Kinerase is one supplement specially formulated for adult skin in general and helps to address adult acne. When used in conjunction with daily cleansing, supplements can greatly increase your chances of controlling or eliminating acne.
How do these different types of cleansers work to eliminate acne?
Masks are left on for 10-15 minutes, sometimes longer, to help to draw out toxins in the skin, and then are rinsed off. They freshen the skin while deep-cleaning and removing oil and other impurities.
Cleansers rid the skin of dead skin cells and eliminate bacteria. Perfect for daily use, they come in gels, lotion and creams. Some soak into the skin, others are rinsed off with water.
Serums are concentrated fluids with restorative qualities. They penetrate deeper into the skin’s surface to repair damaged cells. Serums are vitamin and nutrient based, and usually rich with ingredients like vitamins A, B5 or C or glycolic acid. These curative fluids are commonly packaged in small dropper bottles.
Scrubs and peels have exfoliant qualities. They remove dead skin cells and impurities and deep clean. Like masks, they should be used less frequently than the products mentioned above—usually weekly instead of daily.
Will drinking more water help?
Doctors recommend drinking eight glasses a day to hydrate the body. Many adult acne sufferers report that drinking water helps immensely. Not drinking enough water can lead to an abundance of dead skin cells—which increases breakouts.
Why do more women get adult acne than men?
Women are predisposed to adult acne due to hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, the menstrual cycle, and ovarian cysts. While these are not the sole reasons for acne in adult women, they are primary factors.