What Causes Adult Acne?
When you think of acne, you may think about your days as a pre-teen or teenager. As you were going through puberty and your body was growing and changing, you may have noticed breakouts on your face and on other parts of your body that seemed to come out of nowhere. As it turns out, acne doesn’t magically stop when you reach a certain age. In fact, you can still have issues with acne well into your 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s. While puberty is certainly one of the main causes of acne, it isn’t the only one, and certainly isn’t the cause for acne in adults. Adult acne can be embarrassing, but it can be treated when you understand the source of the problem, and with the right products and by following a healthy lifestyle and skin care regimen. So what causes adult acne to pop up?
Hormones
Just as hormones are to blame for acne during puberty, they also play a major role in your skin during your adult life as well. Your hormones can still act up at various points in your life, but especially during your menstrual cycle, if you are pregnant, going through menopause, or are starting or discontinuing birth control pills. During these stages of your life, you may notice more acne than usual, which is not anything to be concerned about. If you have concerns or want product or general recommendations, see your dermatologist for answers.
Stress
As an adult, you may find yourself more stressed out than ever before. Between work, school, kids, family, friends, relationships, and life in general, you go through a lot, and there are plenty of factors that could lead to stress. Many say that you tend to find yourself with a pimple or two before a big event that may have caused you stress, like a public speaking engagement, wedding, graduation, or other major life event. When you’re stressed, your body begins to produce more of the androgen hormone, which is known for stimulating the oil glands in your skin. When excess oil is produced, the more likely you are to find yourself with breakouts. Also, stress can cause you to pick at existing pimples, which can lead to acne scarring or infection. Talk to your doctor about best practices for reducing stress, such as exercise, meditation, and a better sleep schedule, and be sure to see your dermatologist for more information on taking care of acne caused by stress.
Skin Care Products
Skin care products are formulated to help your skin remain clean, clear, and healthy, but not every product available will be the perfect match for your skin. It turns out, women will go through an average of five to ten different skin care products every year. While trial and error can help you discover the best products for you, this isn’t always the best solution for your skin. Switching products frequently, especially if they aren’t the right products, can take a toll on your skin and lead to some unpleasant acne. Another thing to keep in mind is that skin care products won’t automatically work after one to two uses. It can take weeks for a product to start making a difference on your skin, and giving up on one product after one week and switching to another can irritate your skin. Always try to get product recommendations from your dermatologist to avoid the trial and error purchases at the drug store, and keep an eye out for acne while using a product. Be sure to discontinue using a product that causes acne, redness, itching, general irritation, or pain immediately.
Your Diet
There are plenty of acne-causing foods out there, some of which you may not know. When you think of acne related to food, you may automatically think of greasy, fried foods or sweets, but this isn’t always the case. Plenty of dairy-based products like milk and cheese, caffeinated beverages, sugary food and drinks, white carbs like bread and rice, and even onions and wheat have all been linked to acne. If you find yourself breaking out after drinking soda every day, your pimples could be traced back to what you are consuming. Be sure to speak with your doctor for more information about a healthy diet to reduce acne and improve your overall well-being.
While other factors like genetics and traveling can cause breakouts in your adult years, know that adult acne is fairly common and can easily be treated. Be sure to see your dermatologist for more information about what may be causing your adult acne, how to treat breakouts, and how to prevent future breakouts from appearing when you least expect them.
If you acne has begun to disappear, you may notice a few acne scars that are left behind, especially if you find yourself picking at your pimples. If you’re on the hunt for a product that can minimize the appearance of acne scars all while leaving your skin soft and smooth, look no further than the SABRINA Collagen Rx Plus Anti-Aging Face Cream. Along with its ability to minimize scars, this cream can also fill in wrinkles and fine lines, reduce the appearance of pores, and leave your skin feeling soft and refreshed.