Why Is My Acne Getting Worse As I Age? Plus, How to Get Rid Of It ... for good.
Acne is talked about widely for teens, but only focusing on highschoolers does a disservice to many who still experience acne as adults. Let's throw the sterotypes about acne out the window, & have a frank talk to answer the real questions.
The biggest culprits cause you acne, even as an adult.
We'll be examining the three most common reasons for adult acne, and discussing how to reduce or eliminate these acne triggers.
Ultimately, all acne is the same regardless of age. It is a result of excess skin oils and bacteria on skin. So to think your acne is fundamentally a different symptom is not going to be the cause. However, while puberty is the common culprit for teens. Less obvious causes generally cause these pesky, painful pimples.
Causes of adult acne.
Hormones: Here's what to look for if hormones are the cause.
1) Check your medications. Birth control, endocrine medications (like thyroid treatment or testosterone replacment), corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, barbiturates, androgenic steroids, DHEA, and medications that contain bromides or iodides can all cause medication. If you think back on your acne and rememebr that you also took some new medication around the same time, grab your bottle and check the lable for the type of word mentioned above. Or, search them online to find what category your medication is in.
Should medication be the cause, all is not lost. You can talk with your doctor, but, if you can't change your meds, there are skin care products that can cut down on acne flares.
2) Stage of life. The horrible misunderstanding is that so many believe is that once you "grow up" you level out and stop changing. That assumption is just not true. Both men and women experience hormone changes regularly throughout adulthood. Men experience horemone fluctuations well into their thirties and then again in later stages of life as testosterone declines. For women, peri-menopause and menopause can affect you for 6 through 15 years of life before that cycle ends. Then add pre and post pregnancy, and you can see a large portion of female adulthood is riddled with hormone fluctuations.
Feeling like your body isn't the same or doesn't work like you remember are good, broad indicators that natural hormone shifts can be at the root. If you feel like this is you, check with your doctor if you feel it is necessary. If you feel like your body needs a boost removing oil and preventing bacteria, look at a good, superfine scrub and incorporate it into your routine once a week.
Stress: Here's what to look for if stress is the cause.
Stress can be create a domino effect into hormone issues. It can also create stand-alone flares of acne.
1) When we're stressed, our bodies produce more of the hormone cortisol. This hormone can increase oil production and inflammation, both of which are linked to acne.
2) Stress can also disrupt the skin's natural barrier, making it more susceptible to bacteria and other irritants. If you're struggling with adult acne, check in with yourself and see if you need to manage your stress levels. (Plus there are like 1000 other benefits to managing stress, besides acne.) Managing your stress may include exercise, relaxation techniques or counseling. This is a long term solution that takes time, so be kind to yourself, and give yourself a couple of weeks to see results. Before and after photos are great to see your progress. Just snap a quick one in your bathroom, work on your stress and check back in on that picture a few weeks later.
Diet: Here's what to look for if your diet is the cause.
Diet can actually be a major cause of acne in adults. In this case acne is often a cause of inflammation. Studies have shown that certain foods can trigger inflammation and increase the production of sebum, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
Foods that are high in sugar and simple carbohydrates are particularly troublesome, as they cause spikes in blood sugar levels that can aggravate acne. Unfortunately this also applies to many sugar-free deserts, breads and drinks as well.
Dairy products and foods that are high in omega-6 fatty acids (diferent than the good, omega-3s) can also contribute to breakouts.
To combat diet-related acne, adults should focus on eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats. Don't just throw awat your whole pantry though!
If you want to know where to start, take a look at your pantry items first. Start with your boxes and bags and read the nutrition sections. Anything that takes up double digits in sugar (or fake sugars) and carbs for a single serving is a one to consider living with less. Save those items for when you want to treat yourself. The other foods get to be your day-to-day staples.
Make small, simple changes over time and, like with stress, take a before and after photo to see your changes over time. Practicing a concious mentality about what you bring to your kitchen can be one of the biggest ways to clear up your skin permanetly.
How to supercharge your battle to end Acne for good.
A good microderm exfoliator can carry you though natural hormone cycles of life, and absoletly super power your body's ability create permanent, long-term acne solutions. But, generic exfoliators don't cut it.
The key is to get a microderm exfoliator with the right ingredients for the job. Most are just abrasive agents that strip the skin and then fail to give your body what it needs to keep you skin clean. Now don't get me wrong. When it comes to the exfoliation part, go for a super fine microderm scrub. This, used every few days up to once-a-week, will physically remove bacteria rich layers from your skin and it will flush out oil sebum concentrations from your skin. This will boost your skins ability to keep a strong barrier and prevent acne. A good way to tell if the microderm scrub is quality will be in the amount you need to use. A scrub. that takes very little to cover your whole face will have the right sized crystals and be more than up for the job.
Thats how to boost your fight against acne. To super power your body's ability to prevent acne, get a scrub that nurishes your skin and builds up your skin at the same time. Three ingreadients to look for in a super powered scrub are hyaluranic acid, red tea and seaweed.
Hyaluranic acid. One of the most important factors in long-term acne prevention is the level of hydration in the skin. When the skin is properly hydrated, it is better able to ward off bacteria and other agents that can cause breakouts. Hyaluranic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in the body and plays a key role in keeping the skin hydrated. In addition to its hydrating properties, hyaluranic acid also helps to reduce inflammation, which can further help to prevent acne.
Red Tea. Recent studies have shown that red tea is effective in reducing the inflammation that contributes to breakouts & reduce swelling and redness of acne, too. In addition, the polyphenols in red tea lowers sebum production, & keeps pores clear. When used in combination with other acne treatments, red tea can help to clear up even the most stubborn breakouts
Seaweed. Seaweed is packed with nutrients that are essential for healthy skin, including vitamins A, B, C, and E. In addition, seaweed contains a compound called alginate, which has been shown to help heal wounds and fight inflammation. Perhaps best of all, seaweed is gentle enough to use on sensitive skin, making it an ideal treatment for acne. Acne is an ailment that can wreck your skin's ecosystem. Use seaweed to treat your skin with strong, healing solutions.
A good microderm exfoliator will last for a very long time, help your skin today and help you accelerate your path to saying goodbye to acne forever.
If you want to supercharge your battle against acne, we've linked one we love below. It is all natural, and contains all three ingredients that actually work!