Facial Friday: How do I deal with my adult acne!!??

It seems unfathomable that after the drama, horror and embarrassment of  your teenage years that suddenly, well into adulthood, acne would steer it's ugly head back your way.   More than 50% of adults over the age of 25 suffer from adult onset acne. Below you will find ways to treat them without compromising your skin.

First, lets start by identifying where you're having your breakouts. 
Chin/Jawline: These are hormonal breakouts and the most common form of adult acne I treat. Women will typically notice these popping up right before their cycle, when they're pregnant, after they give birth or anytime their hormones might be making a major swing in one direction or another. (If men are experiencing breakouts in the chin and jawline but are otherwise healthy this is probably an issue with shaving or regrowth of beard hair)
Forehead: Internally this can be a digestive issue, externally this could be a hair product issue.
Cheeks: If major organs are having issues then the cheeks are where we see the external result of that. However, clean your cell phone and wash your make up brushes before you send yourself into a health panic! 

So what can you to treat it? Standard acne medication is marketed for teenage skin which is typically oily and pliable. As you age your skin becomes drier and doesn't have the same speedy healing abilities it once did. Typical acne treatments contain benzyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Both of these ingredients are great at killing the bacteria that causes acne but they also have the potential of zapping everything else your skin needs to stay balanced and look great. There are several approaches to treat the acne that are more appropriate for aging skin.
Retinol: This form of Vitamin A is great at killing acne bacteria as well as stimulating collagen and elastin to simultaneously heal the break out faster and counteract signs of aging. However, most forms of retinol can be very sensitizing and drying on the skin so it must be used in moderation and with proper precautions such as daily sunscreen and no facial waxing.
Glycolic: Glycolic is another antibacterial acid but unlike it's teenage acne fighting counterparts it is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid which means its holds moisture on your skin. This is great news for keeping skin looking youthful, feeling hydrated and looking plump. 
Vitamin C: While not able to kill an active pimple, topically applied Vitamin C is a great defender for your skin. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that slows down the rate of free-radical damage and reverses DNA damage. The benefits result in the overall health and appearance of your skin and gently helps to make your skin stronger and more capable of fighting off those annoying bumps.

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