Acne as a teenager feels like it's just a part of puberty. But if you're suddenly confronted with acne as an adult, you usually don't feel good about it. Whether you're a teenager or an adult, acne often damages your self-confidence. Still, it's better to act quickly, because acne can definitely be treated, and you'll reduce the risk of blemishes (pigment spots) or scars. The chance that it will go away on its own is slim...
WHAT IS ACNE?
Men, women, young people, or adults—it can strike suddenly. It's an abnormal keratinization of the upper layer of skin combined with increased sebum production and bacterial inflammation.
HOW DO YOU GET ACNE?
There are many possible causes: oily skin during youth, but as an adult, acne can be the result of the wrong cosmetics, an unhealthy lifestyle such as smoking, eating fatty foods, but also a lot of stress can be a trigger for acne.
WHAT TO DO?
You can seek professional help, and we'd even appreciate it! But you can also take a look and figure out what went wrong. Focus on yourself: are you eating healthily? Are you drinking enough water? Are you experiencing a lot of stress? Do you smoke? Are you getting enough sleep?
And definitely take a look at your skincare routine! Are you using the right products for your face and skin type?
Products that are too greasy are bad for you, but overly drying products (often resorted to for acne) are even worse. Consider your products one by one. Acne-prone skin is irritated, sensitive, and damaged, so you should treat it accordingly! Eliminate all irritants from your routine—no more perfumes, for example—and start treating your skin extra gently. Start a good routine! A few tips:
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A gentle cleanser. One that doesn't dry out or damage your skin barrier, but rather respects it.
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Exfoliate gently to address the abnormal keratinization of the upper skin layer. Don't exfoliate too often, as this often aggravates acne. Once a week is sufficient!
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Use products containing salicylic acid. It's an effective exfoliant for acne.
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Focus on products with an anti-inflammatory and barrier-restoring function.
But be careful, if you're really struggling with acne, definitely seek professional help and don't just experiment! And be patient, skin needs time to recover!
Try these products from SELF:
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The mild cleanser: Gentle Purifying Facial Cleanser
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A gentle scrub: Glow Inducing Facial Scrub
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Expert Nourishing Day Cream : contains nourishing, restorative, anti-inflammatory ingredients.
