Having wrinkles and acne at the same time can't be legal, right?
Many of us spent our teen years dreaming about being an adult. Having our own house, eating whatever we want (no offence Mum) and waking up everyday with fabulous skin while we wave puberty goodbye. Every day was one step closer to being a 20-something year old with no zits and no worries in the world. Fast forward to the present and the reality of being an adult makes you want to be 16 again. Especially when you’re learning the hard way that bad breakouts don’t necessarily end when your teenage years do. Coming to terms with adult acne involves a few teary and frustrating moments, so if this is you, it’s important to realise that you’re not the only grown woman dealing with zits. It’s also very important to know that there’s a light at the end of the complexion woes tunnel. The first step? Understand what's causing your breakouts so you can do what you can to help keep them at bay.
Pimples have no place on a 27-year-old face, right? Sadly, so wrong. The biggest difference between teen acne and adult acne is the location. In teens, it’s usually present on your forehead and cheeks while in adults it tends to be mostly on the lower face, along the jawline and neck. The type of acne we get is also a bit more angry when you’re an adult, they’re generally big under-the-skin bumps that are more painful and more regular. Surely getting wrinkles as we age is bad enough on its own?
Just like anything we experience when it comes to our skin, there are many reasons why we can get adult acne. Contributors include hormone imbalances, medications, food, stress, incorrect skincare and incorrect use of skincare - just to name a few. Because cell turnover slows with age meaning adult skin can take longer to heal than teen skin, there’s no time like the present to start making more positive skin changes in your routine.
Avoid clogging your pores at all costs
First things first, ensure everything in your skincare routine is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores. Adult acne is caused by an overproduction of oil, so clean out your skincare routine and opt out of any heavy products that aren't helping your end goal: clear skin. If applying tan to your face is a necessity, opt for a Face Tan Water over using regular Self Tan on your face. You’ll still get your must-have face tan, but it won’t clog pores and even doubles as some additional skincare hydration.
Clean out your beauty routine, literally
While your topical products are important, so are the tools that are touching your face. Make sure all your makeup brushes are cleaned regularly, your pillowcases are washed weekly and even things like your phone and headphones get a quick disinfected wipe so they’re not carrying any germs when they’re next touching your face.
Relax your hardcore skincare routine
The saying, too much of a good thing is very real when it comes to dealing with
adult acne. Ensure you aren’t loading up your complexion with too many active ingredients, which can cause irritation and inflammation, and steer clear of harsh exfoliators. Repeat after us, less is best.
Change up your diet
While there’s no conclusive proof that food groups like dairy (chocolate) give you pimples, it’s no coincidence we always break out post-Easter. Consider switching your skinny latte to an almond and swapping all your dairy products for their delicious vegan alternatives. You will be able to see and feel the difference in your skin, energy and gut health just by cutting dairy and regulating your sugar intake for just three weeks. Gradually re-introduce things and keep an eye out for any triggers, saying no to cheese doesn't need to be a forever thing.
Focus on reducing stress
Apart from our hormones, one of the biggest factors for adult acne is stress. It makes sense because despite what we thought when we were teens, adult-hood comes with lots of responsibilities. Focusing on reducing your stress levels includes getting more sleep, having a balanced diet, drinking more water, exercising and even limiting your caffeine consumption. All of these lifestyle factors are small contributing ways that can make a big difference to our skin. Just remember, it took Beyonce 8 months to prepare for a 20 minute show at Coachella. Good things can take time. You got this babe.
