Unfortunately, adult acne is more common among women and, according to the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), 54% of women over 25 have some facial acne.
The AAD also explains that “some adults continue to get acne well into their 30s, 40s, and even 50s. It is even possible to get acne for the first time as an adult. Dermatologists call this adult-onset acne. It is most common among women going through menopause”.
Suffering acne as an adult can affect your self-esteem and sense of wellbeing, and it can thus be emotionally draining. However, the good news is that it is possible to take steps to heal your skin from the inside and out using a natural approach to treat adult acne.
What is acne?
Acne is a chronic skin disease involving inflammation of the sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands lie under the surface of the skin and secrete the oil (sebum) that keeps the skin supple. The pores on our skin allow the sebum to come to the skin’s surface. However, hairs also grow through these pores. Hair follicles and pores can become blocked by an excess production of sebum and dead-skin cells. Clogged pores then become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. In particular, the bacterium P. acnes is able to thrive causing inflammation of the skin resulting in pimples, blackheads and whiteheads (comedones).
A large build-up of trapped sebum can cause spots to turn into pus-filled pimples. In some cases these pimples can become even larger and form into small nodules and cysts.
It’s important to note that recent research sheds a new light on this whole process and indicates that initial oxidative damage to sebum precedes the process of sebum overproduction and clogged pores. (1)
What causes adult acne?
Toxin buildup
An overload of toxins can leave the body predisposed to adult acne. Why? Because this creates the perfect environment for the above mentioned oxidative damage to sebum, the precursor to sebum overproduction.
This is because the skin uses antioxidants to protect sebum from oxidative damage. (2) A lack of antioxidants in the body is going to leave sebum unprotected and vulnerable to oxidative damage and thus acne is triggered. Toxins deplete the body of vitamins, minerals and vital antioxidants that protect the skin from this damaging process.
Hormonal imbalances
Fluctuations in hormones or an underlying hormonal disorder are common causes of adult acne in women. Hormonal changes, either around the monthly cycle or during a menopausal shift, can trigger acne by increasing sebum production. This is a warning sign that your body needs support and attention.
A common hormonal disorder, and a cause of female adult acne, is polycystic ovarian syndrome (POCS). Women with POCS have elevated levels of male hormones resulting in symptoms of increased facial hair growth, acne and increased muscle mass. This however can be easily diagnosed by a blood test.
Stress can also influence hormones as it increases the production of androgen hormones (that convert into estrogen hormones) and cortisol, the stress hormone. This increase in androgen and cortisol leads to increased sebum production and inflammation.
Poor skincare
Using the wrong skincare products can be damaging to your skin and will contribute to adult acne. Chemicals in skincare products are known to cause inflammation of skin cells and disrupt the skin’s natural regulatory and rejuvenation processes. You can read more here about the harmful effects of chemicals in skincare products.
Certain ingredients in skincare products can clog pores and exacerbate acne. Oils and ingredients that are comedogenic —pore clogging—have been researched to determine their level of irritancy. (3) Some common ingredients known to clog pores are: lanolins and derivatives, mineral oils and certain waxes.
Adult acne solutions: there is hope
Detox and load up on antioxidants
The skin needs a plentiful and constant supply of nutrients and antioxidants to prevent sebum oxidation, the precursor to sebum overproduction. It is important to be in optimal digestive health, as this assists the body in removing toxins.
Xtendlife’s Zupafood GREENZ is the perfect supplement to help prevent sebum inflammation and the triggering of acne. It is loaded with antioxidants, plus gentle yet powerful detoxifying agents chlorella and spirulina which help remove toxins from your body.
Balance your hormones
When you create hormonal equilibrium and support your body through any hormonal fluctuations, you are able to prevent and heal adult acne. If you are currently suffering from PMS, mood swings or menopausal shifts, there is no doubt that this will be contributing to your acne.
Many women are prescribed birth control pills to address this imbalance however, it is possible to use a natural hormonal acne treatment.
Xtendlife’s Hormone-Support for Her is a natural solution to support healthy hormone levels and eliminate unwanted symptoms of hormonal imbalances, such as adult acne. Your body can also benefit from taking a holistic approach and supporting it on a deeper level with our range of supplements designed to help you balance your hormones naturally.
Use the correct skincare products for acne
It is important to use skincare that contains natural ingredients that won’t clog your pores and that will support your skin’s own healing processes. At Xtendlife we only use natural and organic ingredients in our skincare range that work in harmony with your skin’s own process of rejuvenation. Our products are free from harmful ingredients that damage your skin and could be contributing to your acne. The ingredients that we use are non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging), gentle on your skin and profoundly healing.
We also provide a solution to help reduce and eliminate scarring that can sometimes occur as a result of adult acne. Our Day and Night Cream and the Age Defying Serum can reduce acne scars and improve overall skin tone and texture.
Treating adult acne is about supporting the body from the inside and out and bringing it back into balance. Focus on nourishing and detoxing your body, balancing your hormones naturally and using the correct skincare products for acne. There is hope and you can heal from adult acne using this holistic approach.
References
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10594744
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10594744
3. http://journal.scconline.org/pdf/cc1989/cc040n06/p00321-p00333.pdf