Adult Acne
"Just grit your teeth. It will get better after puberty." This or similar advice is often given to acne sufferers in their teenage years. But what if that is not the case and the first wrinkles start to appear on top? Read on to find out more about how you can get rid of adult acne.
Adult acne, also known as acne tarda, is a form of acne that occurs in adults over the age of 25. Contrary to common acne (acne vulgaris), it can persist into late adulthood
Symptoms of Adult Acne
• Small blackheads and pimples
• Inflamed pustules and papules
• Untreated or incorrectly treated acne can lead to scarring
• Occurs in the U-zone (chin, jawline and neck)
Causes of Adult Acne
As always, it is a combination of several factors that plays a role in the development of acne: Hormonal changes, stress, certain medications, smoking, genetics, unhealthy diet or lifestyle. In women, hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or the menopause can promote blemish-prone skin.
The Right Acne Treatment
The treatment of adult acne depends on the cause and severity of the condition. It begins with targeted skincare and, depending on severity, can also be treated with prescription medications. Always seek advice from a dermatologist if needed.
Regardless of what it is, every acne treatment requires patience. A significant improvement in the skin is often only visible after weeks or even months. Inflammation must subside, the skin barrier must be rebuilt and pimple marks take time to fade.
Acne-Fighting Active Ingredients
These active ingredients are beneficial for blemish-prone skin and pimples!
1. Salicylic acid unclogs pores, has anti-inflammatory properties and removes dead skin cells. It can help to reduce symptoms of existing acne and also prevent new breakouts. Pure and highly concentrated salicylic acid is contained in BHA chemical peels.
2. Retinol (vitamin A) improves the skin's appearance and has antibacterial properties. It stimulates the formation of new cells and supports skin regeneration, which can help to fade pimple marks more quickly. Retinol serums are a good choice!
3. Azelaic acid has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect and can help to reduce blackheads. A serum with azelaic acid can easily be integrated into any skincare routine.
4. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is the perfect active ingredient to promote flawless skin. It has brightening properties, protects the skin from moisture loss and helps to regulate sebum production. Products with niacinamide have anti-inflammatory properties and can help to strengthen the skin barrier.
1. Salicylic acid unclogs pores, has anti-inflammatory properties and removes dead skin cells. It can help to reduce symptoms of existing acne and also prevent new breakouts. Pure and highly concentrated salicylic acid is contained in BHA chemical peels.
2. Retinol (vitamin A) improves the skin's appearance and has antibacterial properties. It stimulates the formation of new cells and supports skin regeneration, which can help to fade pimple marks more quickly. Retinol serums are a good choice!
3. Azelaic acid has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect and can help to reduce blackheads. A serum with azelaic acid can easily be integrated into any skincare routine.
4. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is the perfect active ingredient to promote flawless skin. It has brightening properties, protects the skin from moisture loss and helps to regulate sebum production. Products with niacinamide have anti-inflammatory properties and can help to strengthen the skin barrier.
Caution: Do not use products with the ingredients azelaic acid, salicylic acid and retinol during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Again, if in doubt, consult a doctor or dermatologist.
Our Top Tips
Anti-pimple and anti-aging skincare all in one: That is our OYSTER Combination Skin Moisturizer. It controls excess sebum in the T-zone and promotes a matte complexion, but moisturizes the skin at the same time. And that is not all. It also minimizes the look of pores, clears clogged pores and reduces the look of wrinkles, which makes it the perfect product for adults suffering from hormonal acne.
The Mattifying Mask from our OYSTER collection is anti-inflammatory and clarifying. It promotes a matte complexion without stripping the skin of moisture, as it also hydrates dry areas of skin.
The tinted BB Cream gives you a perfect complexion in just one step. It covers blemishes and any areas of redness. At the same time, it helps to maintain a healthy skin microbiome, improves the complexion and soothes the skin. Wrinkles are reduces thanks to an additional anti-aging effect. In other words, make-up and skincare in one! You can apply the BB Cream with your hands or a make-up brush.
The SOS Anti-Blemish Concentrate is an instant remedy for pimples and blemishes. It fights acute pimples before they even get the chance to spread and become more painful. At the same time, it has a soothing effect without irritating the skin.
Q&A
Can adult acne be cured?
Yes, adult-onset acne is treatable and in many cases curable. There are various treatment options depending on the cause and severity of the acne. These include topical anti-acne treatments such as creams, gels or lotions and, in severe cases, oral medications such as antibiotics or hormone therapies. But there is no miracle cure for a quick fix. It always requires patience, a consistent routine and skincare products that suit the individual skin type. Subsequent breakouts are also possible.
When does adult acne stop?
This is difficult to answer. Even if the skin appears clearer for some time, the breakouts can return later. This varies from adult to adult. Personal circumstances play an important role. Psychological stress, an unhealthy lifestyle, unbalanced diet or hormonal imbalance (e.g. excess male hormones or discontinuation of the contraceptive pill) can all trigger blemish-prone skin.
Does diet matter when it comes to acne tarda?
The influence a healthy diet can have on our skin is often underestimated. The basic goal is to keep blood sugar levels as stable as possible to avoid insulin spikes, which stimulate androgen (male hormone) synthesis and trigger the sebaceous glands. This means avoiding foods with a high glycemic index. These include, for example, cholocate, sweets, sugared drinks and foods with refined carbohydrates, such as white bread. Foods rich in fiber (lentils, beans, green vegetables), omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (chia seeds, flax seeds, walnuts) and antioxidants (blueberries, spinach, whole grain products) should definitely be on your grocery list.
We have summarized all the important information on this topic in our magazine article "Acne and Diet".
Will sunscreen make my adult acne worse?
On the contrary, using UV protection is very important. This is not just true for blemish-prone skin, but for all skin types. Excessive UV exposure can accelerate natural skin aging and cause the first wrinkles to become visible. Sunlight also promotes inflammatory processes and can even make blemishes worse. Pimples and spots that have already healed can darken without sufficient sun protection. So always remember to include sunscreen in your skincare routine .
Can adult acne be cured?
Yes, adult-onset acne is treatable and in many cases curable. There are various treatment options depending on the cause and severity of the acne. These include topical anti-acne treatments such as creams, gels or lotions and, in severe cases, oral medications such as antibiotics or hormone therapies. But there is no miracle cure for a quick fix. It always requires patience, a consistent routine and skincare products that suit the individual skin type. Subsequent breakouts are also possible.
When does adult acne stop?
This is difficult to answer. Even if the skin appears clearer for some time, the breakouts can return later. This varies from adult to adult. Personal circumstances play an important role. Psychological stress, an unhealthy lifestyle, unbalanced diet or hormonal imbalance (e.g. excess male hormones or discontinuation of the contraceptive pill) can all trigger blemish-prone skin.
Does diet matter when it comes to acne tarda?
The influence a healthy diet can have on our skin is often underestimated. The basic goal is to keep blood sugar levels as stable as possible to avoid insulin spikes, which stimulate androgen (male hormone) synthesis and trigger the sebaceous glands. This means avoiding foods with a high glycemic index. These include, for example, cholocate, sweets, sugared drinks and foods with refined carbohydrates, such as white bread. Foods rich in fiber (lentils, beans, green vegetables), omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (chia seeds, flax seeds, walnuts) and antioxidants (blueberries, spinach, whole grain products) should definitely be on your grocery list.
We have summarized all the important information on this topic in our magazine article "Acne and Diet".
Will sunscreen make my adult acne worse?
On the contrary, using UV protection is very important. This is not just true for blemish-prone skin, but for all skin types. Excessive UV exposure can accelerate natural skin aging and cause the first wrinkles to become visible. Sunlight also promotes inflammatory processes and can even make blemishes worse. Pimples and spots that have already healed can darken without sufficient sun protection. So always remember to include sunscreen in your skincare routine .
Beauty editor
