Article by Ilisa Cohen for The Healthy
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Oh, yes, adults can get acne too
If only being an adult meant clear skin forever. Unfortunately, some people continue to get acne into their 30s, 40s and 50s and some people even get acne for the first time as an adult, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Adult acne is very different from adolescent acne, says Rebecca Kazin, MD, of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery and the Johns Hopkins Department of Dermatology. Even if you’ve had years of clear skin, different triggers—like stress, diet, and hormonal changes as you age—can cause skin problems. Acne can be more frustrating for adults, as many people think they’re too old for breakouts. Here’s the scoop on some common myths about adult acne.
Spot treating a pimple will suffice
“There are many products on the market intended for people who want to dry up a single pimple,” says Dr. Krant. “But overapplying these medications dries and irritates the skin and can actually make a pimple hunker down and stick around even longer.” Instead, she advises patients to gently steam the offending pimple with a hot washcloth and use your regular acne regimen on a preventive basis. (For a natural approach, you might also try tea tree oil and other home remedies for acne.)
Your go-to treatment from high school will still work
“Acne products designed to treat teenage acne often don’t address the special skin-care needs of adults,” Dr. Kazin says. Instead of grabbing a tube of your old salicylic acid treatment or a jar of extra-strength acne pads, talk to your doctor about a topical retinoid, which not only prevents acne, but stimulates collagen to help with adult issues like lines and wrinkles, she says. (These are the best acne products from drugstores that dermatologists swear by.)
You need to scrub your face clean
While many people think acne is caused by dirty skin, it actually develops deep in your pores. “Washing your face any more than twice a day can dry out the skin, causing it produce more oil to compensate,” Dr. Kazin says. “Blasting your skin with harsh cleansers will only make it worse and you should never use antibacterial soap.” Instead, she recommends using a gentle cleanser, made specifically for the face, with salicylic acid to control acne. (Here is the best way to wash your face to prevent acne during each stage of life.)
Chocolate is causing your acne
It’s a myth that eating pizza or chocolate or any greasy food will automatically cause acne. Your diet can play a role, however, in skin breakouts, says Jennifer Linder, MD, dermatologist, skin surgeon, a national spokesperson for The Skin Cancer Foundation, and clinical faculty member in the Department of Dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco. Eating an unhealthy diet—one high in processed foods and sugar and low in fruits and vegetables—causes inflammation through your whole body and inflammation can lead to acne flare-ups, she explains. Cutting out junk food and eating a wide variety of produce can reduce inflammation. Finding what is triggering your acne may take a little self-experimentation. “It’s possible that one person may react badly to dairy products or gluten while another will be able to eat bread and milk and be just fine,” she says. “It is very individual.”
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