How to Combat Adult Acne

Other than student debt and living with your parents to combat said debt, perhaps one of the major stresses of being in your 20’s is the return of acne. What you thought you left behind in high school comes back to haunt you even when you think you have a pretty solid skincare routine. Acne happens to a lot of women in their 20’s and it is just as hard, if not harder, to get rid of. According to WebMD, adult breakouts can be attributed to numerous factors including hormones (from switching birth controls or medication) and stress. But worry not, acne can be cleared at any age with a consistent, gentle skincare routine. 

First things first, you will want to switch to a more gentle cleanser with the least amount of ingredients. Make sure it gets the job done (i.e removes makeup, dirt, and excess oils), but also make sure it is not completely stripping your skin. Dermatologists also recommend washing your face no more than twice a day, though solely at night should do the trick.

Personally, I use Burt’s Bees Soap Bark and Chamomile Deep Cleaning Cream and it has helped my adult acne tremendously. It is also so important to only use warm or cool water when cleansing. You don’t want to shock your skin by using hot water or freezing cold water. Make sure to pat (not rub) your skin dry. Rubbing too harshly with towels will cause microtears. 

When shopping around for moisturizers and other cosmetics (including makeup), make sure to read the labels carefully and make sure the products are “non comedogenic,” meaning they won’t clog your pores. For moisturizes, products with retinol in it is ideal. Not only does retinol prevent acne and clear skin, it also helps slow signs of aging. For spot treating acne, look in the ingredients for benzoyl peroxide. 

If the acne is still persisting, it might be a good idea to visit a dermatologist. They can give you recommendations catered to your specific skin type or if needed, they can prescribe medicated acne treatments.