MDacne
Up to 50% of women in their 20s and 30s still struggle with adult acne. If you have adult acne, here are nine great tips to prevent breakouts.
1. Keep Your Makeup Brushes Clean
With continuous use, your makeup brushes will collect a huge amount of dirt and bacteria. Wash all brushes and puffs every two weeks and sponges at least once a week. Clean your brushes, sponges, and puffs in a container filled with water and a few drops of cleanser. Rinse your brushes thoroughly, pat them dry, and then leave them on a clean towel to dry.
2. Choose The Right Makeup For You
Mineral-based cosmetics are the best choice for women with adult acne. They contain ingredients like silica, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide — these absorb excess oil without clogging pores.
3. Check Your Hair Products
If you have acne breakouts on the forehead, back, or neck, it might be from glands-clogging ingredients and preservatives in your shampoo, conditioner, and hair gels. Try lighter products that are fragrance and paraben-free.
4. Avoid Cow’s Milk And Dairy
Multiple studies have shown that cow’s milk contains testosterone-like hormones and growth factors that can overstimulate your sebaceous glands. Try to avoid milk and dairy intake for at least a month and see how your skin reacts.
5. Use Gentle Cleansers
Harsh cleansers damage the protective layer of the skin, exposing it to bacteria. Same for cleansers or soap that have higher pH than your skin. These cleansers can over-dry skin and actually increase the activity of sebaceous glands trying to fight the drying effects of these over-drying products.
6. Stop Exfoliating
Over-exfoliation is a common mistake. Over exfoliation damages the skin barrier and makes it more prone to breakouts. Always use your fingers and a gentle cleanser to remove dirt from your face, then pat dry with a clean towel.
7. Avoid Alcohol-Based Skin Products
When these alcohol-based products evaporate, they over-dry your skin. It’s better to moisturize immediately after washing while skin is still damp.
8. Look For “Non-Comedogenic” Products
Non-comedogenic means the product was tested and found to NOT clog pores. When choosing cosmetics for acne-prone skin, the best choice would be a product that is oil-free, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic.
9. Don’t Pick!
Fight the urge to pick or pop pimples. The trauma and added dirt to your skin will increase the risk for breakouts and post-acne scars.
More info:
Adult-onset acne: prevalence, impact, and management challenges
12 common causes of adult acne flare-ups
To find the right acne treatments for your unique skin, take the free skin assessment by clicking here.
