I thought acne was for teenagers, why am I suffering from adult acne?

At first you thought it was just one of those days when you woke up with a zit. But then more appeared and now it seems they have made a permanent home on your facial. Welcome to the world of adult acne. Don’t panic. Yeah, so the adolescent plague has beset you when you thought it was finally all gone. Calm down. Adult acne is surprisingly common and has much scope for treatment. And you’re older now, and smarter, so the only solution is not squeezing the pimples and making craters all over your map.

OK, firstly, adult acne, like any type, is physiologically the result of bacteria infecting open pores and clogging them. So it’s not about dirt or lack of hygiene. Bacteria exist on all of our skin, and it is required by our body. At times, however, this bacteria starts to react negatively to the skin in this manner. One of the causes can be excessive sebum secretion, or what we call oiliness, that exacerbates the problem by clogging the pores. Another major cause is stress. In the modern world, there is little time for leisure or fun and, what little there is, we spend worrying about work or home.

Stress can lead to hormonal changes in the body, leading to an imbalance, causing adult acne to rear its ugly head. While women are more likely to suffer from adult acne, it is found to be more severe in men in the instances that it does occur. Furthermore, in women, increasing hormonal problems related with stress such as thyroid and ovarian problems can be linked with increased production of male hormone, leading to a pimple problem. While there are no easy cures, daily care can help make the problem much less obtrusive and uncomfortable.

If your face tends to get oily, make sure that you clean it with a mild cleanser twice daily and if your skin is not sensitive, follow up with a mild toner. Keep your hands away from your face. You don’t want to add to the comedogenic particles on the surface of your skin. Find out from your dermatologist or go to the drugstore and get a benzyl peroxide based cleanser. Some people with extreme adult acne find relief with a cream containing retinol, a vitamin A extract. But before you go jumping the gun, why not first try therapies that help deal with the root of the problem?

If you are overworked and dealing with a lot of stress, then go ahead and try an alternative therapy. Work on getting some time off in the day. when you have some time free, forget about your problems and just work on relaxing your body and mind. Drink herbal tea, the chamomile and mimosa in it will soothe your senses. Take a bubble bath with scented salts and essential oils of eucalyptus and lavender. Get a massage or do some yoga and meditation. Avoid sports that cause a lot of sweating as this will aggravate your adult acne problem. Keep your face and body cool and relaxed, and your mind free from anxiety.