I was one of those people who never had any issues with their skin. Throughout my teenage, my skin was clear. I thought I passed for clear zone but then out of the blue, my skin suddenly started breaking out; my first thought was that am I going through puberty NOW? That is when I came across the term ADULT ACNE and, I got to know that it is pretty general.
Adult acne: Adult acne or post-adolescent acne is the acne that occurs after 25.
If your skin is breaking out all of a sudden or if you have acne, then this post might help you know everything you need to know about its causes.
CAUSES OF ADULT ACNE
Dirty PILLOW COVER-
While you are resting it out and recovering from a hard day, there is a sort of chemistry happening between your hair, face and the pillow you are using to have a goodnight sleep. Over the night, a lot of oil gets transferred from your face and hair to the cushion. Now the oil keeps on accumulating every night. When you sleep on your stomach or your side, these oils end up on your face. And because oil breeds bacteria which leads to breakouts, it only makes sense that you should change your pillow once in three days or at least once a week.
VITAMIN Deficiency-
Even if you have a perfect skincare routine, you might still get adult acne due to vitamin deficiency. In particular, the lack of zinc and vitamins A and D can cause adult acne. Several types of foods naturally contain these nutrients, including meat, fish, vegetables and dairy products.
Fortified food products such as breakfast cereals, milk and fruit juices are excellent sources.
You can also take dietary supplements, including multivitamin products, to ensure that you are getting enough of these essential vitamins and minerals.
Adult acne due to STRESS-
When you are tired, anxious and stressed out, the tendency of your skin to breakout becomes higher due to the upregulation of sebum production by skin cells. Daily meditations or journaling can help you keep a check on your rising stress levels.
HORMONAL IMBALANCE-
Adult acne can occur due to fluctuation of hormones- an imbalance in estrogen, progesterone and androgens. It usually occurs in the T-zone of the face. Incorporating sesame seeds, turmeric, coriander and liquorice into your diet can help you maintain hormonal balance.
Dirty MAKEUP BRUSHES-
Every time you use a dirty makeup brush, acne gets a chance to greet you. Unwashed tools breed bacteria and trap dirt. Each time you use a dirty brush, you put all the old makeup and tiny microbes back into your skin where they don’t belong. So make sure every time you do your makeup, your makeup brushes are squeaky clean.
ALLERGY-
If you are allergic to something, your body can overreact and produce antibodies that attack the allergen; this can lead to common allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching and red skin, which make us rub and itch our faces. Thus, having a simple skincare routine and getting to know your body and how it reacts to everything becomes necessary.
Adult acne due to CHEMICALS-
As our skin is continuously in contact with air, it comes in contact with chemicals as well. Volatile organic compounds can come in the form of very tiny particles which accumulate on your skin throughout the day. These particles then do party by entering your pores, clogging them and creating allergic reactions that can lead to inflammation and breakouts. Ensure that you use pure essential oils in the diffuser and air purifier if the pollution level is very high. Also, a face mask that contains Indian clay or carbon in it can help you pull out gunk from your skin.
Using too many PRODUCTS-
Too much of anything, even good things, can be harmful. Too many products can clog your pores. Using the wrong combination of products can be problematic for your skin, for example, using retinol with AHA, so keep things simple even when it comes to your skin.
HAND CREAM-
Yes, I know it is shocking, but your hand creams might have certain chemicals or high fragrance in them that can cause your skin to breakout so, make sure to see the ingredients whenever you buy a hand cream.
Adult acne due to Lack Of SLEEP-
Lack of sleep causes stress which can spike up your cortisol levels and bless you with inflammation and increased production of sebum which results in clogged pores and, eventually, breakouts. So all you need to do is sleep off.
DANDRUFF-
Dandruff is associated with the presence of yeast or fungi. These heavenly dry flakes of skin are often responsible for clogging the pores on your face, often affecting your forehead. In this way, dandruff triggers the appearance of acne and can worsen the condition of your skin if you already have pimples.
Adult acne due to HAIR PRODUCTS-
Chemicals applied on the skin or scalp over is one of the most common reasons for breakouts. Oil-based products tend to trap bacteria and create a breeding ground for adult acne. So if you are having breakouts along your hairline or back, it can be due to your hair products. To prevent this, make sure your shampoos and conditioners are free from sulphates, Panthenol, petroleum and silicons.
Not letting your SKIN BREATHE-
Wearing makeup every single day without letting your skin breathe can clog your pores. It can be one of the reasons for breakouts. Your skin would be thankful to you if you let it breathe, even once a week. Take up a makeup-free challenge for 30 days. I promise you will see some changes in your skin.
NOT WASHING your face suitably-
Going to bed while wearing makeup or not cleaning your face rightly is a big NO. The combination of leftover product, oil, microbes give rise to a perfect toxic relationship which you don’t want in your life. Ensure that you are double cleansing your skin and using a clarifying face mask at least twice a week.
TOUCHING your face-
Imagine how many things come in contact with your hands every single day. Then you touch your face. So, all the bacterias which are, on the stuff you come in contact with, finally end up landing on your face through your hands. Make sure you wash your hands first before touching your face or doing your makeup or skincare routine so, next time anyone tries to pull your cheeks, give them sanitiser first!
Adult acne due to POPPING pimples-
Popping pimples can turn out to be a disastrous thing. If you do this on your own and are not professional, this might allow bacteria to expand their territory and cause acne. You might end up causing even more harm to your skin. So, quit doing this on your own until you have experience or are a professional.
Using OIL on your skin-
Now, oils like jojoba oil can be a boon for your skin despite having adult acne. But, one should avoid coconut and almond oil while facing breaking outs as these oils might clog one’s pores further.
Overly DRYING your skin-
My dermatologist told me that your skin breakouts because of not being hydrated enough. Then, your skin cells produce oil to keep your skin hydrated. Acne products can be overly drying. Thus, everything must be in proper balance. So, I started hydrating my skin; this is what changed it.
Dirty FACE MASK-
We all have to cover our faces now due to Corona. But, using the same face mask every single day can be harmful. Use a washable face mask and remember to change it every single day or even twice a day. You don’t want sweat and makeup from the previous day to get on your skin repeatedly through your face mask so, don’t forget to change it.
Adult acne due to SWEAT-
Regular workouts are beneficial for both skin and body, but they can cause excessive sweating, as well as a buildup of oil, dirt, and bacteria on your skin — all of which can lead to adult acne. The key here is to maintain proper hygiene before, during and after your workouts.
Dirty TOWELS-
A towel might look clean, but it can collect a ton of dirt, dust, makeup, oil and, dead skin cells that we can’t even see. They allow it to act as a breeding ground for nasty bacteria. Towels are inside a washroom which makes them more prone to germs. Maintaining hygiene should be our utmost priority. Sometimes, small steps taken by us can make a huge difference. It’s preferable to use paper towels. Don’t use the same towel for body hair and face.
Adult acne because of dirty PHONE screen-
Yes, it is odd; I know. But our phone can be one of the reasons why our skin is breaking out. Phone screens are a magnet to bacteria which means that throughout the day, makeup, facial oils and environmental toxins accumulate on our screens. So, it’s essential to clean our screen using disinfectant wipes with 70% alcohol.
Adult acne because of MICRO-NEEDLING in the wrong way-
Okay, I did that and let me tell you, it made my skin worse. So I will not recommend you to do this but even if you want to give it a try, make sure that you use it very carefully and properly sanitise it after every use.
By following every TREND-
There are soo many types of skincare routines and products trending everywhere these days. Don’t try everything blindly since we all have different skin types. If something is working for someone, it doesn’t mean that it will have the same effect on you. Make sure that you see ingredients before buying a product. Get to know your body. See if you are allergic to any ingredients present in the product; do a patch test of everything. When I say everything, I mean it. Even if I post something, make sure you do a patch test first.
Adult acne due to Removal of FACIAL HAIR-
Removing hair from the face in the wrong manner can cause unexpected breakouts and irritation on your skin. Make sure that you try different ways and then decide what suits your skin. Clean your face. If you are using any hair removal tool, apply aloe vera or rose water to calm your skin. Then, follow up with a moisturiser or facial oil. Mix 1 or 2 drops of tea tree oil in moisturiser or oil before applying it on the face will also help your skin stay clear.
Adult acne because of using wrong SUNSCREEN-
Yes, We all might think that sunscreen is necessary when it comes to protecting our face. But, heavy sunscreen or oil-based sunscreen can clog your pores and prove to be harmful.
Use sunscreens that have a gel base and are light on the skin. Stay away from sunscreens that contain ingredients like Vitamin E, Coconut, Mineral and soybean oils, Beeswax, Lanolin and cocoa butter.
Adult acne due to Change in Weather-
With changing weather, your skincare products should also change as when the weather change, they are like a shock to the body. Your skin takes some time to adjust to that, which might welcome new pimples. So before applying anything on your skin, first feel it- what does it need? If it feels dry, go towards hydrating products and if it feels oily, go more towards oil-controlling products.
Due to OVER EXFOLIATING skin-
Over-exfoliating our skin can cause inflammation which can lead to breakouts. Use light hands while exfoliating your face. Avoid using too many exfoliating products together. Exfoliating beads should not be too large as they can cause damage to the outer layer of your skin. Give your skin a break. Exfoliate it once or twice a week and not every day.
Dealing with adult acne is never easy-
It truly affects our self-esteem and confidence negatively. But, knowing the right cause will help you treat it in a better way. It might not be an overnight process, but you can heal it by being consistent and figuring out what works for you.