Was your adolescence filled with traumatic recollections of acne breakouts and flare-ups? As an adult, you may believe that your worst acne experiences are finally over. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. While acne is often associated with teenagers, many of us still suffer from this annoying skin condition during adulthood. Acne could fade over time, but the problem may never truly go away.
Adult acne can occur for many reasons, including stress, pollution, hormonal fluctuation, and bad skincare routines. Acne may also be caused by what you eat, especially if your diet includes a lot of spicy or sugar-rich foods. In addition, your genetic composition may lead to acne, which can be quite frustrating because it is nearly impossible to control.
Fortunately, there are various acne treatments and beauty products that could alleviate the condition. You may be interested in trying out these eight best acne treatments for adults:
1. Microneedling treatments
Microneedling is one of the best acne treatments for adults. This cosmetic procedure uses tiny needles that stimulate the skin’s production of collagen and elastin. People often turn to this treatment to reduce the signs of aging, but it can also be used to cure the acne symptoms.
How microneedling works is that the micro needles will gently unclog your pores. This reduces the production of sebum and makes your skin less oily. As a result, the microneedling treatment can reduce acne scars, get rid of pimples, and minimize the blackheads on your skin.
2. Chemical peel treatments
Many adults feel self-conscious about their acne scars, which are notoriously difficult to eliminate. This problem can be successfully treated with the chemical peel procedure. The chemical peels work by exfoliating the skin, which gets rid of the dead skin cells and replace them with healthier ones. In addition to eliminating acne, the treatment can also even out your skin tone, reduce fine lines and dark spots, and rejuvenate your appearance.
3. Bentonite clay masks
Bentonite clay has a soft, fine texture with calcium, magnesium, and iron as its ingredients. The natural clay material is effective in absorbing oil, dirt, and toxins from the skin. This helps to reduce skin inflammation, making it effective when dealing with acne breakouts.
Bentonite clay is commonly used to make facial masks for adult acne treatments. The bentonite clay is often purchased as a powdered clay, which is then mixed with water to create a full facial mask.
4. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is a popular essential oil used to treat acne and blemishes. With its dominant antibacterial properties, the tea tree oil is particularly effective in fighting bacteria and purifying the acne from your skin. In order to use this essential oil, you need to mix four drops of tea tree oil with a teaspoon of a carrier oil (such as coconut oil). Dab this solution on your pimples and wait for them to clear.
5. Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is an ingredient commonly found in cosmetic products that treat acne. It works by removing the outer layer of the skin, which helps to free the pores from sebum and bacteria. Some popular products with salicylic acid include face washes and exfoliators, but this ingredient is also readily available in a variety of gels, liquids and creams.
While salicylic acid is proven to be effective, some side effects may include redness and dryness on sensitive skin. If you suffer from these symptoms, you are advised to seek alternative adult acne treatments.
6. Retinoids
Retinoids are a class of chemical compounds related to Vitamin A. They have the power to build collagen, hydrate the skin, and eliminate dead cells. Retinol acne treatments are very effective in clearing and preventing blemishes. If you cannot find an over-the-counter product that contains retinoids, you may need to get a medical prescription.
7. Probiotics
Live probiotics are known for supporting a healthy digestion and strengthening the immune system. However, they also possess characteristics that are effective for treating acne and improving the health of your skin. Probiotics can be consumed in various ways. You can either take probiotic supplements, which doesn’t require any prescriptions. Alternatively, you may include foods that contain live probiotics into your diet, such as yogurt and pickles.
8. Antibiotics
Antibiotics may be required to treat the more severe cases of adult acne. Antibiotics work by reducing the bacteria trapped within pores, which will also lower the chance of acne breakouts.
You may obtain a medical prescription for topical or oral antibiotics. Antibiotics such as tetracycline, clindamycin or doxycycline are frequently used to complement a topical treatment. While antibiotics are effective, they are not meant for long-term use. They may come with some unpleasant side effects that vary in severity.