What the heck are milia anyway?
Unfortunately, breakouts don’t necessarily end when your teenage years do. It’s not uncommon to have acne up until menopause. Having adult acne may be something that is difficult to get over. However; addressing the causes and taking steps to control your adult acne can help!
The Causes
1. Hormones
“Fluctuation in hormones, such as before one’s menstrual cycle, is the main cause,” explains dermatologist Julia Tzu, M.D., of Wall Street Dermatology. According to Amy Marturana of Self
Magazine, this shows more often in the form of deep (painful) cystic acne around the chin, neck, and back (Marturana par 4).
2. Stress
Being a parent, being in the workforce, or being both definitely can make your stress levels are high. “When you’re stressed, you have an organ called the adrenal gland that makes the stress hormone cortisol, and puts it out into the body to help the body deal with stress,” Dr. Schultz explains (Marturana par 5).
3. Pollution
There’s not much we can do about air pollution on a day-to-day basis. However, maintaining a clean face when you get home from being out can help!
4. Wrong products
“If you have oily or combination skin and are prone to breakouts, you should be using skin-care products labeled “oil-free,” “non-comedogenic,” or “water-based,” Dr. Schultz says. Just one of these will ensure that the lotion you’re slathering on isn’t going to clog your pores and make matters worse” (Marturana par 7).
5. Cleansing too frequently or harshly
Don’t wash your face too much or too often. It can make your acne situation worse. It can produce more oil and promote more acne. Avoid grainy cleaners(Marturana par 8).
6. Sweet Tooth
Sugar, because it raises your insulin level, may boost those oil-triggering male hormones. Avoid those late afternoon sweets at all costs!
The Acne
The most common acne types found on an adult are cysts (mentioned above) and milia. A milium is a small, white bump that typically appears on the nose and cheeks. Sometimes, adult acne can be painful (cysts) or just annoying (milia). Nonetheless, it’s important to note that you have several treatment options.
The Treatments
1. Keep an eye out for products with the following ingredients, they are here to help: salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, and retinol.
2. Exfoliation is the most important thing you can do on a regular basis to be fighting acne both in terms of preventing it and treating it. Another plus is that it leaves your skin feeling super smooth and beautiful. Bellagena’s Microdermabrasion Treatment is perfect for improving acne as well as size.
3. Never try to extract your acne on your own! Talk to Bellagena’s Julia Padilla LE, Certified Acne Specialist about Face Reality Acne Program: a program specifically for acne sufferers of any age.
Credit
Marturana, Amy. “7 Reasons You Have Adult Acne, And 7 Ways To Get Rid Of It.” SELF
, 27 Dec. 2015
