Do you have Acne & Problem Prone Skin?
Acne and problem prone skin are very common skin concerns and that impurities in the skin are not just a teenage problem. More and more of us are experiencing breakouts and congested skin with symptoms appearing at any age, from teenage years to mature and sometimes in ageing skin.
What can cause adult acne?
I often hear clients who have never had a pimple in their teenage years, wonder why now when they’re in their 40s is their skin all of a sudden acting up with bumps and congestion? Stress and hormones are the two most common factors for adult acne. These can go hand in hand as stress will effect your hormone balance. However, for those one off pimples here and there, lifestyle factors such as alcohol or poor diet are likely contributors.
One thing to remember is that the skin is not dirty. Blackheads can seem like dirt under the skin however, it’s only the sebum reacting with the oxygen that creates that little black spot. If you are noticing blackheads, it may be that you are using products that are congesting your skin. For example, products containing mineral oils create a film on top of the skin causing congestion. Such as some types of sunblock or zinc. It can also be that one is not exfoliating the skin enough, leaving a layer of dead skin cells on top which creates a plug in the pores.
We can help to balance your skin and to find the right products, but we must look at the problem with a holistic view and seek the cause of the symptoms. I always suggest to seek help from a professional before starting any treatment to get to the root of the problem and treat in the right way. Every skin is so different and the wrong treatment can cause secondary skin problems too.
There are different types of acne prone and congested skin, with a different approach on how they can be treated.
Normally acne is divided by four different stages which are:
Non inflammatory acne, which is white and blackheads. These are easier to treat and you can come a long way with a good cleanser, peeling and softening moisturiser.
Light/moderate acne, which usually consists of black and whiteheads, shallow lumps that are red and can have pus inside. This is a little harder to treat and I would recommend to use BHA acid to treat this condition, salicylic acid is a good example.
Moderate/severe acne, is usually showing up with both black and whiteheads and deeper acne symptoms, and the skin is often showing symptoms of inflammation.
Nodulocystic acne, this type is severe and deep with cysts and can often be very painful. This type of acne often leaves scars and can be hard to treat only with skincare.
How to care for acne and problem prone skin.
As a general rule, it’s crucial not to dry the skin out. A lot of my clients think that because the skin is oily you need to strip off the oil and dry the skin but this can have the opposite effect. If the skin feels that it’s dry it then reacts by producing more oil and you end up worsening the problem.
The best way is to use a cleanser that will take off excess oil without stripping off that important layer that the skin needs for protection. My favourite is Aveda’s Gel Cleanser that gently removes any dirt and unnecessary oil. Follow this with the amazing Oil Control Lotion also from Aveda which will actually soak up extra oil on the surface while moisturising. Another favourite to hydrate the skin while assisting with too much oil production, is the Toning Mist from Aveda. This is an easy way to help since it can be sprayed day and night and even on top of makeup. It is like a toner but in spray form and I always recommend spraying it on to the back and chest as well to get the benefits on all areas!
Another piece of advice I can give is to exfoliate, preferably with acids, like salicylic acid that breaks down the bond between the dead skin cells and resolves the plug that’s created in the pores. It’s often better to use a liquid exfoliator than a scrub since scrubbing the surface can irritate the skin and spread bacteria under the skin making any acne worse. I recommend Aveda’s Botanical Kinetics Exfoliator that can be used daily and won’t irritate the skin like a lot of other exfoliants do.
Contact us by email at info@sulisbyron.com.au or phone 02 6680 8801 to speak with our team about recommendations for the best facial treatment, skincare routine and products for your skin type.