You might have thought that you have outgrown acne after you bade goodbye to puberty. But sometimes, these pesky little things just seem to want to stick around, visiting you even if you’re already way past adolescence. And yes, it’s still as frustrating and embarrassing as it was before.
We’ve created a friendly guide of what acne is all about and some simple solutions to it.
What are the factors that lead to adult acne?
Unlike when we were young, we can no longer blame growth spurts and puberty for acne. Adult acne may be caused by a multitude of factors such as stress and skin irritation, among many others.
Our body is reactive to the things we do, and so stress and our lifestyle (too much drinking, lack of sleep, bad eating habits) are some of the culprits when it comes to adult acne. It may also be caused by irritation due to the products that you use, or an effect of how you take care (or not take care) of your skin. Other factors are sweat buildup, lack of sun protection, and changes in diet.
What to do when you have adult acne
Men do not usually like elaborate skincare regimens, but in cases like these, it is best that you take care of yourself even if that takes up a lot of your time. Here are a few things that you can do:
Take cleansing seriously
If you wash your face only when you shower, then that might be something that you need to work on. Keep your face clean by washing it with a gentle cleanser in the morning and before you go to bed. You can also exfoliate once a week to help you get rid of dead skin cells and dirt that can clog your pores.
Wear sunscreen
It takes extra effort, but religiously wearing sunscreen can help you protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Remember, you encounter the sun not only when you are on a beach trip. Lather up, buddy, and take care of your skin.
Shave
If you think a beard will help you conceal your adult acne, you are right, but it will definitely NOT help you get rid of them. Shave your face and let it be free of extra hair that can be a breeding ground for bacteria. If you have acne in that area, you need to be really careful not to hit your pimples. You can use a beard trimmer or an electric shaver to make shaving a little friendlier to your skin.
Change your sheets
Keeping your sleeping area clean can definitely help you slow down the production of pimples. Using a dirty pillowcase or a towel that you haven’t washed in a month will not help you get rid of acne. Make sure to clean them often as these things touch your face on the regular.
Over-the-counter treatments
If you want, you can use readily available topical creams that are available in your local pharmacy. Creams that have retinoid or benzoyl peroxide are usually the most common topical treatments that can help keep breakouts at bay.
Visit a dermatologist
If all else fails, or if it’s really getting out of hand, it is best to visit a dermatologist who can give you the right prescription for your acne.
