Most people think that acne is just a thing that teens deal with, and that is simply a rite of passage into young adulthood. Sadly, a lot of us still deal with acne far into our 30’s, 40’s, or even older. And for men, acne may take different forms, such as ingrown hairs. And truth be told, acne doesn’t immediately mean that you have that skin type forever. It could mean a lot of things, so let’s talk about some of the most common causes:

1) Hormones – so yes, this is one of the common reasons why teens suffer from acne. However, it’s also one of the reasons why women also suffer from it, due to our own fluctuations in hormonal balance as we age. Lucky us. 

2) Skin care regimen – many of us misinterpret our own skin, and therefore can create our own skincare issues by using the wrong products. Plus, take a look at your skin care product ingredients…is there added fragrance? Mineral oil? Make sure that the products you are using are proven products to be effective, or recommended by your dermatologist. Do your research.

3) Rosacea or sensitive / reactive skin – this is one of the hardest to treat, since sensitive and irritated skin can often “breakout” as a reaction. But then, people think that they need to be treating an acne breakout, rather than simply switching up their regimen to be more suited for hyper-sensitive skin. Make sure you see a dermatologist for this, as it is tricky to treat correctly on your own.

4) Lifestyle – this is another culprit that is often a teen issue, but can also trickle into adulthood. Are you making sure that you are washing your face twice a day? Are you taking the time to exfoliate regularly? How about washing your bed sheets and pillowcases regularly? Not picking at your face? And drinking enough water, or consuming too much sugar? I know a lot of these things can sound like your mother nagging at you. But believe it or not, they do make a difference in your health and condition of your skin.

As we age, we get bombarded with advertising and promises of products that will reverse the clock. But how do you select a few that really will work, especially if you still deal with breakouts? Luckily,  the answer is that many of the anti-aging products out there will actually also combat acne because they encourage exfoliation and cell-renewal. Both promote cell turnover, which will natually purge out clogs and dead skin cells. Plus, salicylic acid (beta-hydroxy acid) is a common ingredient in both types of products, which also kills bacteria and reduces inflammation. Bonus! 

Here are two of my favorite products that can help combat acne, and help you age gracefully by refining skin texture:

• Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot treatment: I really like this because it’s salicylic acid-based, and doesn’t contain benzoyl peroxide. It’s a much gentler, but very effective, treatment and can be worn daily under makeup. My husband really likes it too for treating ingrown hairs. I use it anywhere on the body I have a breakout – and it’s especially effective as a thin film applied daily to keep breakouts at bay.

• CeraVe Skin Renewing Cream Serum: this serum is newer to the market, but it is already a staple product in my skincare arsenal. CeraVe has the sensitive skin care needs down pat, and this serum contains retinol (form of vitamin A) to combat fine lines and wrinkles by encouraging cell-turnover and exfoliation. Plus, the formula contains ceramides to help cushion the active ingredient of retinol. Many dermatologists prescribe stronger versions of retinoid creams, but I like this because it is so gentle, yet effective. I only use it it at night, when my skin won’t have exposure to UV Rays. I also use it on my chest and back to help smooth and brighten skin, and fight minor breakouts.

Bottom line is that you don’t need a very complex routine to achieve results, but the biggest tip is to be strategic about it. Using products that have multi-use properties also help save you time and money! Reach out if you have any recommendations of your own, too!

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