Tips on how to get rid of adult acne

Maintain a healthy skin barrier

When experiencing adult acne, it is tempting to attack your problem using cleansers and exfoliants. However, it is important not over cleanse/over exfoliate your skin. You may only make your skin more sensitive, compromising your skin’s healthy barrier. A compromised skin barrier is often dehydrated – and when your skin is dehydrated, your skin will produce more oil. Also, a compromised skin barrier is less resilient to bacteria entering its pores. If your skin’s barrier is compromised, it is important to rebuild your skin’s barrier before going forward with other adult acne products/treatments.

Minimise exposure to bacteria

Avoid touching your skin, wash your pillowcase regularly, regularly clean your office/mobile phone. Change your towels regularly. Always use a new towel at the gym. Make sure you wash your make up brushes regularly as they are often a breeding ground for bacteria.
Don’t pick! You’ll risk exposing your skin to more bacteria, not to mention scarring.

Using the right products, correctly

Adult acne needs to be treated differently to teen acne. Generally, teenage skin is relatively thick and is more resilient. However, as we age our skin thins out and becomes more sensitive to certain products. Harsh cleansers, toners and scrubs which strip oil from the skin may only irritate the condition.
Good alternatives to granular scrubs are AHA products which not only exfoliate your skin but also hydrate and calm your skin. We recommend products containing Salicylic Acid and/or Lactic Acid. Other ingredients which will assist are Vitamin A/Retinol, tea tree, niacinamide.
Our fave product for treating adult acne is CosMedix’s Clarity Serum. This will help to control your breakouts and reduce inflammation. This should be combined with a moisturizer that contains Vitamin A/Retinol – either CosMedix’s Define or Cosmedix’s Serum 16 for sensitive skins.
If your makeup is clogging your pores (MAC foundation is a known culprit), look for alternatives. Mineral make up is a good alternative to traditional foundations and will not clog your skin. Try our Priori Coffeeberry Minerals – foundation and concealer.

Diet

Adjustments in your diet may be required – sugar, dairy and wheat are known to cause skin inflammation in some people and are best minimised.
Reducing the fat content of the diet can help slow the increase of sebum in the skin.
Eating foods rich in antioxidant vitamins keeps skin and body healthy. Alkalising foods get big ticks.
Recommended supplements which may assist include: zinc (strong anti inflammatory action), chollorophyl (alkalizing) and Essential Fatty Acids like fish oil/flax seed oil (they will regulate hormones, reduce stress levels, assist with hydration, anti inflammatory). Please check with your doctor/naturopath whether these are suitable for you before starting on any new supplements.
Drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily will keep skin hydrated and help dilute the skin’s secretions, preventing pore congestion.
You may wish to consider consulting with a naturopathic nutritionist. We work together with Emma Ellice-Flint from Eatcetera Nutrition in Neutral Bay – www.eatceteranutrition.com.au

Lifestyle

Try to reduce stress in your life:
- Exercise – promotes healthy blood circulation, lymph flow, and detoxification
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Meditate / practice yoga

Treatments

A facial that includes extractions like our Essential Care Facial or Radiant Facial by an experienced skin therapist will help to prevent future breakouts. Acne is basically blocked pores that have become infected. Most pimples begin with blackheads. Our skin therapists are trained and experienced in removing blackheads from the skin.
Professional skin treatments like Microdermabrasion, Jungle Brew Detox peels, lactic peels or our Benefit Peel for sensitive skins will also assist.

Make an appointment with us at The Sanctuary Skin Care and Beauty for further advice. Ph: 02 9904 9842

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