Whether you are planning to go out on your first romantic date with that guy you met the other day or are in the middle of an extremely important work week, you can face an acne attack anytime. And don’t we all agree that battling with pimples in our late twenties or thirties is so not fair? We all want to get over with those teenage ‘puberty-achieved’ problems. Weren’t there other skin issues like wrinkles and fine lines burning a hole in our pockets already, that now this pimple attack has taken over too?
According to research, about 26% women suffer from a pimple prone skin in their twenties, thirties and sometimes even forties. And that’s not it. If you were thinking only we–women face the issue, then you are absolutely wrong. Because an acne attack can strike to anyone — be it a male or a female — irrespective of their age.
How do you find out if it is hormones causing the adult acne?
While most of us perceive acne a result of dirt, excess oil, dead cells and bacteria; what you don’t know is that major acne breakouts post your teenage are actually hormone driven. Although, the pores are clogged the same way even in your teens, however, adult acne starts appearing on your jawline, chin, or neck.
Such acne, as per various studies, are purely dependent on your body’s hormonal disbalance. Even the most unexpected situations like cooking food after work can act as catalysts and trigger whacky hormones and thus, a pimple loaded skin. The worse is yet to come. The acne might go away, but its mark would take months or sometimes even years to vanish completely.
Oh, this definitely doesn’t sound too good. So, what can you do to get over hormonal acne ?
1. Stress less
You do know that eight hours of sleep is highly recommended each night, right? 8 hours is what you need to reduce the levels of stress in your body by decreasing the production of excess cortisol — the stress hormone. Also, a peaceful night sleep ensures your skin regenerates and that the body releases the calming hormones called the endorphins.
Find out natural solutions to beat regular headaches caused due to stress and let these remedies help you sleep peacefully.
2. Pamper your skin & treat it wisely
Unlike your teenage when you could burst that pimple and get rid of the plug and the mark forever, adulthood brings in its own challenges. Not only will the acne be more painful and leave a mark on your gentle skin, it will also be more prone to irritation. Using too many anti-acne products might do more harm to the skin than good.
Therefore, follow the pamper your skin ritual every night — cleanse, tone and moisturize. Replace a regular moisturizer or an anti-aging cream with essential oils. They are natural, have no side effects and carry antibacterial and skin regenerating properties. These abilities will help you get rid of the hormonal acne faster, with a mark.
You can learn more about the different types of essential oils and their uses here.
3. Cleanse your system
Each day your system gets loaded with toxins, unused and unnecessary compounds. These need to be flushed out of the body for a healthy mind and body. To balance the system from within it is important to cleanse it regularly.
You can stick to proven natural remedies like consuming basil – a beneficial herb for your body or consume foods rich in fiber and omega – 3 fatty acids. This helps in clearing the system of unwanted products and improves the overall health of the skin, keeping it acne free and delays aging.
4. Eat, pray and think healthy
Your body is constantly functioning and producing biochemicals. Some of them are useful and do good, some of them are extremely harmful and affect your overall health. What you eat determines how many useful compounds your body can produce. For instance, eating sugar rich food is not only highlighted your waistline but is equally responsible for triggering the production of hormones that further lead to pimples and blemishes.
It is extremely important for you to maintain a healthy and a balanced diet. As per research, to balance your hormones you must eat a lot of raw veggies, fruits, and whole grains. Fast food and its likes need to be avoided and their consumption should be reduced drastically in your diet.
5. Treat it with Salicylic Acid
This magical powder of salicylic acid helps in smoothening the dead skin away and clears the clogged pores. There are many over-the-counter products available for topical application on the affected area. Find out more about the benefits of using salicylic acid on acne and cure these annoying breakouts, making your skin clean and clear.
It is highly likely that the products you use for treating pimples also consist of benzoyl peroxide. While this compound does work wonders on your skin, especially if your face was full of them, but it can cause immense dryness and irritation. Seek your skin specialist’s opinion before using products composing benzoyl peroxide.
6. Tea Tree Oil
As mentioned earlier, essential oils can help you fight the acne war at ease without harming your skin. In the list of essential oils for treating acne, pimples & blemishes, tea tree oil, undoubtedly is the best. The oil has documented antibacterial properties and just a drop or two on the affected area are enough to help your skin recover.
Remember, this oil is extremely potent and should always be used in limited quantities.
7. Adult acne overload? Visit a dermatologist
You can only do so much to battle the breakouts. Sometimes it is important to seek an expert’s help and guidance. If you are suffering from regular acne issues on your jawline and the neck gets covered in plug and bacteria (maybe around that time of the month or due to PCOS), we advise you seek a medical practitioner’s help immediately.
Typically, in such cases the doctor prescribes oral contraceptive pills to neutralize the hormone levels. The might nix breakouts for that month but are not a permanent solution. Therefore, it is important you bring in lifestyle changes to see improved results.
Moreover, if you are prone to cystic acne then remember it will take time to heal and requires specific prescriptions and medication to improve the overall health of the skin.
8. Retinol based products
Repeating the mantra again – a good night’s sleep means a healthier and glowing skin. That’s the time when your skin cells regenerate. Hence, a daily cleansing, toning, and moisturizing schedule is highly recommended. Most of us buy night creams as moisturizers, but little do you look into the ingredients it is composed of.
The next time you purchase a night cream, ensure it contains vitamin or retinol. These biochemicals have an antibacterial effect on the skin and exfoliate the dead skin. Moreover, retinol is an important ingredient for all anti-aging products.
Remember, these products must always be used at night on a cleansed skin.
9. Try clay masks
Clay has, since long, been used to treat excess oil on the skin, dead cells and fight microbes. Overnight clay masks or spot treatments can be extremely effective in treating zits. You could opt for pink clay masks with salicylic acid or charcoal based masks to cleanse impurities out of your skin.
10. Exercise more
We also advise that you make time for daily work out sessions amidst your busy schedule. Exercising regularly improves blood circulation in the body and delivers oxygen to your skin cells, making it difficult for bacteria to thrive on your skin.
The next time that zit pops up on your chin, you exactly know what to do. Share your stories on how you handle these pimple wars in the comments below. Any hacks that you have been practicing, lately?
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