If acne is a common problem in adolescence, adults are not spared either. Adult acne is indeed more common than you might think, especially among women. How to cure it? What are the good things to do on a daily basis to avoid pimples and blemishes? Are there possible treatments to overcome it? Decryption.
Is your skin replaying a bad scene from puberty? Blackheads and small pimples have taken up residence on your face? And yes, acne is not a matter of age and is not just for teenagers! According to the French Society of Dermatology, 15 million people are affected by acne today. And among them, 25% are adults, especially women. It is even the first cause of consultation with the dermatologist. Fortunately, there are adult acne prevention solutions and treatments for healthy, blemish-free skin.
What is Acne?
The skin naturally produces sebum and thus creates a lipid film that protects it against multiple external aggressions (pollution, attacks, etc.). But when the pilosebaceous follicle (sebaceous gland + hair) is affected by acne, excess sebum (which no longer flows or poorly) and the accumulation of dead cells clog the pores. This thus causes bacterial development responsible for the appearance of comedones (blackheads) and/or white microcysts (pimples). This is called retentional acne.
But there are other forms of acne such as inflammatory acne (characterized by the proliferation of microbes inside blackheads and white microcysts) or cystic acne (which occurs due to inflammatory lesions that do not have not been treated or poorly treated and which have left scars on the skin).
If acne is visible on the face, be aware that it can also appear on the scalp, neck, back, chest, torso or even forearms.
acne in adults
Acne is increasingly prevalent in adults, especially in women. The exact reasons for this acne are not known with certainty. Smoking, stress, fatigue, pollution or excessive use of cosmetics (or products that are not suitable for your skin type) can be the cause of these small skin inconveniences.
Another possible cause for the appearance of acne marks: hormonal fluctuations. If the development of pimples is no longer linked to hormonal disorders specific to adolescence, it can however be favored in the premenstrual period or in the event of use of unsuitable contraceptives. Acne can also arise when hormonal disorders related to taking or stopping the pill, during pregnancy or menopause.
How to end acne?
- Have a specific and adapted beauty routine
Healthy, pimple-free skin depends above all on impeccable hygiene. We can never say it enough, it is essential to wash your face morning and evening with a gentle cleanser.
In terms of care, the ideal is to opt for anti-imperfection formulas designed specifically for adult skin and which respect the most sensitive skin. The Pure Age range of Eau Thermale Jonzac® is developed to meet this need. It consists of a mattifying powdered lotion, a global anti-blemishes and anti-aging corrector concentrated serum and a dual action anti-blemishes and correction of signs of aging fluid.
These certified organic dermo-cosmetic treatments act against imperfections and signs of aging. They contain soothing and regenerating Jonzac thermal water, purifying biomimetic Zinc PCA, plumping, smoothing and certified organic samphire and hyaluronic acid. Their promises: reduced imperfections, tightened pores, faded acne marks but also a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles over time. We fall for their light and silky textures and their very soft formulas which improve the appearance of the skin while being sufficiently moisturizing and plumping.
- Know your skin type
But beware: you should not use just any product to take care of your skin, at the risk of aggravating the situation. For example, contrary to popular belief, you can have sensitive skin and acne breakouts. In this case, the use of purifying gels could further irritate the epidermis. Avoid washing your face too often or too aggressively. Also do a dermatological assessment to find out what your skin type is so that you can choose the most suitable products to take care of it and pamper it on a daily basis.
- Tidy your fingers to avoid scarring
It’s stupid and yet. When an acne pimple or a blackhead appears, you may want to pierce or remove it. A gesture to banish because it can promote the appearance of bacteria in these places and the formation of scars and brown spots if you fiddle with the problem areas.
- Choose the right makeup
As with products to cleanse your face, certain substances present in our favorite makeup products may be incompatible with acne-prone skin. The solution ? Avoid oil-based formulas (or other fatty substances that clog pores and hinder the proper functioning of the sebaceous glands) and favor products adapted to your skin type.
Another tip: do not try to hide your imperfections with thick products to cover which will, on the contrary, rather tend to make them more visible. Prefer corrective and covering formulas that are a little lighter and suitable for oily and/or blemish-prone skin. Also be sure to regularly clean your makeup brushes to remove residue and impurities that could promote the appearance of acne pimples when you use them on your skin every day.
What treatments for adult acne?
If acne sets in for a long time, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist. He will in fact treat the appearance of pimples on a case-by-case basis, depending on the type of skin and the degree of severity of the acne: a local anti-acne treatment (lotions, soaps, creams, etc.) to stabilize the secretion of sebum, sometimes combined with oral treatment (antibiotics, zinc, etc.) to eliminate bacteria. For a convincing effect, it is essential to respect the taking of medication and/or the application of cream with regularity to see your acne disappear at the end of the treatment.
The trick? When prescribing your skin care, ask for your products in a corrective version, they will thus have a double use: to conceal and fight the imperfections that mark your face and/or your body.
If the appearance of these small buttons is added to an irregularity in the level of the rules and / or an unusual development of hair, a hormonal assessment is then necessary. Some contraceptives based on cyproterone acetate or norgestimate can indeed help reduce acne, while others (based on levonorgestrel) tend to promote it. Do not hesitate to discuss it with your doctor or your gynecologist.
How to fight against scarred brown spots?
Following the appearance of an acne pimple, spots may appear. These are pigment spots left by an acne pimple following long exposure to the sun. This is called post-inflammatory skin hyperpigmentation, a natural defense reaction when the skin is weakened by prolonged exposure to the sun.
In summer, it is quite common to see pimples appear on the face, back or chest when exposed to the sun a little too long. The UV rays emitted by the sun will react on certain skin cells and a pigment called “melanin” will concentrate on the area where an acne pimple has appeared. However, it is melanin that gives the black or brown color of the skin. When concentrated on a specific region, the latter will therefore be darker than the rest of the skin.
If you can prevent brown spots by reducing your exposure to the sun, there are also treatments that can correct them. For example, argan oil is a vegetable oil whose effectiveness has been proven to remedy this skin problem. Very rich in vitamin E, it manages to make brown spots disappear completely. Nevertheless, it will be necessary to be patient because the results will take time before appearing.
Lemon is also a good bleach and its juice applied several times on the brown spot allows it to disappear after a few weeks.
Finally, an anti-dark spot corrector enriched with vitamin C prevents and fades pigment spots.
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