For many people, acne is only a problem during their teenage years. Unfortunately, this issue can persist even into adulthood. As a matter of fact, a study in 2012 published in the Journal of Women’s Health indicates that about 50% of women from ages 21 to 30 and about 25% of women from ages 31 to 40 are still affected by it.
Pimples typically form due to blockage of pores which causes the build-up of dirt, bacteria, and dead cells. For most people, this is due to dietary imbalances, stress, and hormonal changes. Hygiene can also be an important factor, but the cause is different from one case to the next. Here are the tips you can try if you want to get rid of adult acne.
1. Develop a Proper Skincare Routine
Like with most things, your skin care habits determine if you will succeed in defeating acne or not. In skincare, you need to find the one that suits your particular needs. You have to study and learn about your skin.
You also have the option of consulting a skin care professional who can guide you towards the best skin care routine to get rid of this problem. This includes finding the best cleanser, moisturizing your skin, using a toner and exfoliating. If you don’t want to spend money on a skin care professional, some trial and error may be necessary to find the solution to your acne problem.
2. Be Careful With Skin Care Products
If you’re trying to develop good skin care habits, you may need to experiment with a few skin care products. However, you need to be very careful and research meticulously about a formulation before buying it. Look for ingredients that can trigger or worsen breakouts like those that promote the clogging of pores.
Also, check the feedback from people who have tried the product. There are anti-acne products that you can utilize in your fight against it. Look for products with proven anti-acne ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid. Again, it would be best to consult a skin care professional to help you find the right products for your particular skin type.
3. Reduce Consumption of Refined Carbohydrates
Several years back, experts thought the culprit for adult acne in regards to diet are foods high in fat like chocolates and junk food. However, several studies indicate that it is not really because of fat but not having a balanced diet and consuming too many refined carbohydrates such as those high in sugar content.
An Australian study in 2007 found that people who had a low-glycemic index diet had fewer lesions compared to another group that consumed more high-GI foods. Experts believe that this is due to raised levels of insulin which trigger the release of hormones that increase oil production and inflame follicles.
4. Lessen Consumption of Dairy Products
In a Harvard study in 2006, researchers found that girls who drank, at least, two glasses of milk a day had an approximately 20% increased risk of acne compared to those who only drank less than a glass per week. A more recent study suggested that fat-free milk which is usually higher in sugar might be the real culprit.
There is also an attractive hypothesis that dairy products contain hormones which trigger or worsens the problem. If you’re a regular drinker of fat-free milk, you should consider switching to non-dairy nut milk (almond milk, soy milk) or 1% milk. Look for products that have less than 10 grams of sugar in every serving.
5. Tea Tree Oil
If you’re looking for a natural teen and acne treatment, you should try tea tree oil which is somewhat like a chemical cousin of benzoyl peroxide. It has been used as a natural remedy for mild to moderate cases for a very long time. It comes from the leaves of a tree native to Australia which offers antiseptic properties that are effective in reducing acne-causing bacteria on the skin.
It also helps decrease inflammation in skin cells which helps lessen the severity of breakouts. In fact, tea tree oil has been shown to be active in working with many organisms including 27 of the 32 strains of bacteria that cause acne.
There are already several studies including in a review in the International Journal of Dermatology backing the anti-acne power of tea tree oil. There are cleansers, shower gels and topical solutions that use it as an active ingredient. A minimum concentration of 5% is ideal, but it can be up to 15 % for more severe forms.
Conclusion
Many people continue to suffer from acne throughout adulthood. The good news is that there are treatments available to solve this problem finally. Try the skin care tips mentioned in this article and if these are not effective, it may be time to invest in a good skin care or specialist.
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