Why does adult acne happen?
A common misconception about adult acne is that it is linked to poor hygiene. In reality, acne can be caused by a variety of factors and is no reflection of how unclean your home is.
Is adult acne the same as puberty outbreaks? This is a tricky question, and the answer is: it depends. Puberty acne is the result of hormonal imbalance that occurs in the body. For many teens, it is a time of firsts, from first body hair growth to first breast and first periods. These phenomena occur only because hormones tell the body it is time to move out of childhood. As such, teenagers struggle with a variety of issues that are linked to the high volume of hormones active at the same time in their bodies, from mood swings to changes in appetite. Acne counts among these issues.
As an adult, you may not experience the same type of hormonal activities. Yet, women can have regular acne problems that match their menstruation cycle. If you notice that your adult acne re-appears like a Swiss cuckoo every month, it may be worth talking to your doctor about hormonal regulation solutions.
But for everyone else whose acne doesn't seem to have a connection to the regular hormone cycle, the following tips are for you!
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser
Acne-prone skin can be oily. It is tempting to want to remove excess oil through your face-washing routine. However, picking a cleanser that's too harsh for your skin has the opposite effect. Your skin produces more oil, as a result, which can lead to pore clogging and acne.
It's important to have a gentle cleanser that doesn't irritate your face. As a rule of thumb, you want to look for non-comedogenic products that clean without stripping your skin's natural moisture barrier.
An ineffective cleanser could also lead to acne outbreaks. Indeed, if you wear makeup to dissimulate your pimples, you need to ensure you can remove all traces of makeup before going to bed. Therefore, you want a cleanser that does the job and protects your skin.
Exfoliate regularly
It's a no-brainer. Exfoliating regularly is a great way to reduce the buildup of dead skin cells and excess oils on your face. This will help clear away any dirt, makeup or environmental pollutants that may clog your pores and trigger inflammation. Exfoliation can also stimulate the production of new, healthy cells and remove any dry patches or flakes on the surface.
For best results, you should exfoliate with a product that contains glycolic or salicylic acid no more than two or three times per week. Options for quality exfoliators can be limited in shops, so you may want to explore specialist websites to view more online.
Exfoliating has a double edge, though. It can help address pore-clogging problems. But if you do it too often, it could backfire. Indeed, when you exfoliate, you essentially apply an abrasive substance to your skin. It's important to give your skin enough time for healing and renewal; otherwise, you could cause irritation, inflammation, and acne.
Use breathable bedding
Many people are not aware that the type of bedding that they sleep on can affect their skin health and result in more frequent breakouts. Choosing breathable bedding is a good way to reduce the chances of your pores being clogged, which can lead to problems such as excessive oil production.
What are breathable beddings? Breathable bedding allows air to circulate around your body while you sleep, unlike synthetic fabric sheets, which can trap moisture and heat against your body. This means that there is less chance for sweat and sebum (the oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands) to build up on your pillow and your bed sheet.
Choosing quality bed linen in fabrics that can breathe, such as cotton or silk, is a true game-changer! It's also the perfect opportunity to transform and improve your bedroom with this in mind.
Keep your towels clean
Here is the million-dollar question: how often do you change your towels? Most people change bath towels on a weekly or fortnightly basis. According to surveys, almost 10% of people use the same towels for an entire month before washing them. If this sounds worrying, you're right. You should wash your towels way more frequently. Experts recommend washing and replacing your towels every 3 or 4 uses, which could be every day or every second day. When it comes to gym towels, those belong in the laundry basket after one single use.
So, why do towels get so dirty, and what can you do about it? The answer to this question is simple: sweat and dirt. When your body sweats, the oils on your skin will rub off onto the towel. And when you use a towel to dry off after a shower or bath, any bacteria that is on your body will transfer to the towel too. This means that by drying yourself off with a dirty towel, you are rubbing dirt and bacteria all over your face and neck - not to mention all over your entire body. Plus, if that wasn't bad enough when sweat mixes with bacteria, it produces an enzyme called lipase, which breaks down sebum (skin oil) cells into fatty acids. The result: clogged pores and pimples.
Eat a healthy diet
The foods you eat can make a big difference in how your body looks, and many people find that eating a healthy diet can help reduce acne problems.
Avoid food that causes acne, like dairy products and other dairy products such as cheese, yoghurt, ice cream, and butter. Dairy products often contain hormones that stimulate oil production on the skin's surface. These oils clog pores which leads to acne breakouts. Eliminating dairy from your diet may help reduce acne breakouts or even clear them up entirely.
You should also try avoiding or reducing the consumption of high-glycemic carbs such as refined sugars and processed starches like white bread, crackers, and chips if you have acne issues.
Dehydration is a major contributor to adult acne. It can leave your skin dry and itchy, which causes it to produce more oil and clog pores. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day to avoid these problems.
As a rule of thumb, you should aim to drink at least six to eight glasses per day. You'll be able to tell if you're getting enough fluids by looking at the colour of your urine: if it's dark yellow, you need more water. On top of staying hydrated, you need to have a good moisturising routine with your skin. Even oily skin needs plenty of moisture!
Reduce stress
Stress can lead to a lot of problems, including breakouts. Stress will inhibit your body's ability to fight off bacteria, and an immune system that is working overtime can lead to more breakouts. Here are some ways you can reduce stress:
- Take a five-minute break every hour or so and do something you enjoy.
- Learn to say no when you're asked to take on too much.
- Forgive yourself if you make mistakes in the future (you'll be more comfortable).
- Talk it out with friends, family, or other people who know what they're talking about - this might help more than anything else.
- Take care of yourself by eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and doing things you enjoy.
*Collaborative post
0 comments