Understanding Adult Acne

Adult Acne can be an upsetting condition & can happen to anyone. I know that in period's of my life, I've certainly suffered and it can really effect self-esteem. I've been talking with Amelia about acne, it's causes and what we can do about it. Please do give us a call if you'd like to talk to us about your skin health... Everybody's different so it's always good to talk.

From your experience, what do you think are the main causes of spots, or adult acne?

HORMONES

Hormones can play a huge part in Adult Acne, especially along the jaw line, which is the hormonal area in Chinese medicine. Some clients find that their contraceptive pills help acne and others find that taking a new pill (or the coil) can cause acne - where they've never had it before. So many of our clients have spots just before their period and all these hormonal changes and stresses to the body can cause a break out.

REFINED CARBS & SUGAR What we put into our bodies can show on our skin too. Foods with high sugar content or refined carbohydrates are usually the culprit. They cause a spike in blood sugar, which in turn causes your insulin levels to rise. This rise in insulin causes inflammation in the body and steep insulin spikes increase the production of skin oils and contribute to the clogging of follicles, which can worsen skin complexion.

BACTERIA

I always advice clients to be mindful of what they put on their skin day to day - less is often more! Clean your make up brushes weekly, rotate your pillow case and regularly wash hats and scarfs - all of these items are a breeding ground for bacteria.

What ‘at home’ skincare regime do you advise for clients who have Adult Acne?

Always double cleanse! The first cleanse will remove make up, sweat, pollution and excess sebum. Then the second cleanse will treat the skin. I love Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser for oily/break out prone skin. You can leave it on for a few minutes (while you brush your teeth or wash your hair in the shower) and the microsponges it contains absorbs any excess sebum (oil). it also has a refreshing cooling effect on the skin which helps minimise any redness in current breakouts.

Try to wear as little make-up as possible and have impeccable hygiene when it comes to your make-up brushes!

Also, it feels contradictory but don't forget moisturiser. Even though your skin may feel oily it can quite often lack hydration. This can slow down the skins healing process, meaning the red marks left behind take longer to go. A simple hydrating booster or oil free moisturiser (Dermalogica Active Moist) are great at keeping the skin hydrated without feeling heavy or oily.

Which 'In-Salon' treatments would you recommend for Adult Acne?

The Expert Active facial is great for treating Adult Acne. We combine powerful 'chemical' exfoliation (it's really important not to use an exfoliator which contains particles or a scrub as this can aggravate breakouts and spread bacteria) and we use the blue LED light therapy - which kills the bacteria that's causing the acne on the skin. We also apply a super cooling masque which helps reduce redness and inflammation.

Why not book a facial with us and see how we can help you achieve your perfect skin: Click here - BOOK ONLINE