How to Practice Adult Acne Skin Care & Control Breakouts?

What are the reasons for having acne as an adult? What is the best skin care routine for adult acne?

A lot of people tend to associate the condition of acne as something that you only experience as a teenager. However, unfortunately, adult acne is quite a common occurrence as well. Having acne as someone who has passed their adolescent years can be very frustrating, as a lot of the time you have no idea as to why you are experiencing it. What can be the main causes of adult acne? How to establish an adult acne skin care routine that can cleanse your skin of any imperfections?

Adult Acne Skin Care: What Is Acne?

There is not a person on this planet who hasn’t experienced some form of acne, if not all, whether it has been on their face or other parts of their body. And we all know that it can be very persistent and annoying. For anyone who is not familiar with what acne is, this is a skin condition that arises from hair follicles being plugged with dead skin cells and oil. Treatment is possible, but it should be done on a regular basis. Yet, not all treatments require medically-prescribed products. Sometimes all your skin needs to restore its natural glow and smoothness is a devoted skin care routine. But which would be the best one for adults with acne? Let’s first shed some light on why you might be experiencing acne as an adult before we move on to the best care for your skin.

What Are the Causes of Adult Acne?

Some of the main reasons for having acne as an adult can be the result of hormonal changes, stress, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause in women, genetics, lifestyle and diet choices, hair and skincare products you use, etc. Hormonal fluctuations and stress can influence oil production, leading to the formation of acne. Whereas, the beauty products you daily put on can clog your pores. An unbalanced and poor diet can influence inflammation throughout the body. If your adult acne is concerning you, it would first be best to go to a licensed dermatologist for a check-up. If your skin requires any medical treatment, they will prescribe it to you. Yet, in many cases, all your skin really needs is the proper care for your skin type.

Before purchasing any new skincare products, I would advise to first make sure you know what your skin type is. Even if you buy a product for $100 or more and one with good client reviews, that doesn’t mean it will specifically work on your skin. Knowing about your skin type will make it easier for you when choosing products, which ingredients they need to include, etc. Also, personally, I use the INCI Beauty app to scan the barcode of each product to know more about its formula. Anything that lights in green can be good for you. Aim for a result higher than 15. You can download the app from Google Play or Apple’s app store, depending on what type of device you use.

How to Establish an Adult Acne Skin Care Routine?

Cleanse

Start your skincare routine in the morning with a mild oil-free cleanser. One with ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide would be best, as they have anti-acne properties. CeraVe is a very good drug store brand that is easy on the budget, and they have a cleanser for oily skin. Make sure you cleanse your skin twice a day, once in the morning, and once before going to bed to fully remove your makeup and rid your skin of all the dirt it has accumulated during the day.

Treat

This is the part where you apply your treatment products. They can look different for everyone, but treatments with ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, retinoids or sulfur can be quite effective in controlling breakouts. Your dermatologist will have suggested for you which products to use for your personal condition. If not, ask them.

Moisturize

Moisturizing your skin is likely the most important step of any skincare routine. Why? Adding a layer of moisturizer for your skin type creates a barrier between your skin and the outside world, protecting it from infections, dryness and dullness. Opt for a product that is light-weight and oil-free to keep your skin hydrated. Read about our best budget friendly moisturizes for dry skin, as well as natural options for oily skin:

Top 5 Budget-friendly Options for the Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin

Natural Moisturizer for Oily Skin: Get the Best Type of Hydration Now!

Apply SPF

And lastly but not least, most of your efforts are in vain if you forget to apply sunscreen before going outside! A lot of people skip this step, maybe because they don’t know how good it can be for them and how not protecting your skin from the sun can lead to many health hazards, including skin cancer. Sun protection is crucial for everyone, but especially for people with acne problems. Make sure you apply a non-comedogenic sunscreen formula with at least SPF 30 and niacinamide.