4 Secrets to Dealing with Acne at Any Age

When you think of acne, you might think of teenagers with raging hormones, but the fact is, acne can happen to anyone at any age for a number of reasons. From hormonal changes to stress and diet, people young and old can develop acne — and it is no fun. But despite the reason for your acne, there are many ways to manage it so you can once again enjoy beautiful, healthy skin. Take a look at our four secrets for dealing with acne at any age.

1. Know Your Skin Type

One of the best things you can do is learn your skin type. There are five different skin types, including normal, dry, sensitive, oily, and combination skin. You can determine your skin type by taking an online quiz or making an appointment with a dermatologist. Once you know your skin type, move on to learning more about what type of acne you have.

2. Know What Type of Acne You Have

There are several types of acne you could be suffering from that fall into two categories: inflammatory acne and non-inflammatory acne. Each type presents differently in the form of one or more of the following:

• Whiteheads: Results from clogged pores and closed comedones
• Blackheads: Occurs due to clogged pores and open comedones
• Cysts: Occurs from clogged pores due to a combination of dead skin cells, sebum, and bacteria
• Papules: Happens when the walls of your pores break down due to inflammation
• Nodules: Occurs when pores are swollen and clogged; present deep underneath the skin (unlike papules and pustules)
• Pustules: Also occurs when the walls of your pores break down, but pustules are filled with pus (unlike papules)

Each type of acne may require different treatments, so it’s important that you figure out what kind of acne you have. It is possible to suffer from multiple types of acne at the same time.

3. Finding the Right Products with the Right Ingredients

Now that you’ve determined your skin type and figured out what kind of acne you have, you can start combating your specific issues. Consider experimenting with the ingredients below to help you find the best acne solution for your skin.

• Whiteheads: Products containing salicylic acid and topical retinoids
• Blackheads: Lactic, glycolic, and salicylic acid, or topical retinol
• Papules: Honey and oatmeal, baking soda and olive oil, tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar
• Pustules: Peroxide, sulfur, salicylic acid, clay masks, essential oils, aloe vera gel
• Nodules: Topical acne medications, antibiotics, salicylic acid, retinoids, benzoyl peroxide
• Cysts: Benzoyl peroxide and 1 percent hydrocortisone cream, cortisone injection, hormone regulators, retinoids, antibiotics

4. Establish a Routine

Establishing a daily routine is the next step to obtaining a clear complexion and healthier skin overall. Incorporate these ingredients into your routine while replacing products that no longer work for your skin. Remember to do both a daily and nightly routine for the best results.

Overcoming Acne and Aging Skin

Getting rid of acne at any age can be stressful (especially teen acne), but just know that for every problem there’s a solution. And you can find one that works for you based on your skin type and the type of acne you have. For example, dealing with oily skin coupled with acne is absolutely doable. You just have to experiment with different products until you find the right one.