Adult acne, ingredients that work!

When it comes to anti-aging skincare, the focus always seems to be on signs of aging. Most people believe that acne is a teenage problem that largely goes away once you reach adulthood. The reality is that up to half of women in their 20s and 30s and a quarter of women in their 40s and 50s will continue to experience hormonal acne occasionally or chronically. 

Unfortunately, adult acne is often more aggressive, more painful and doesn’t appear in the same places as acne in your teens - where teen acne usually appears in the t-zone, adult acne tends to appear around the chin and along the jawline. Until recently, ingredients aimed at specifically treating adult acne were difficult to find. Thankfully, there are now numerous options available proven to treat acne and aging skin concurrently, gently, and effectively.

Cleanse.

When it comes to treating acne, a gentle, non comedogenic cleanser is key. Look for a cleanser that contains soothing, sebum-reducing ingredients that respect your skin’s lipid barrier. Payot Pâte Grise Perfecting Foaming Gel contains anti-inflammatory Zinc powder and plant origin charcoal granules that trap impurities as it cleanses.

Tone.

Adult acne is especially hard to treat because, as we age, our skin sheds dead skin cells more slowly. These skin cells (called keratinocytes, which are the largest, most prominent cells in the outermost layer of our skin) stick together with hair and sebum inside our pores, leading to acne breakouts. Using a toner which contains a gentle exfoliating acid helps your skin shed those sticky cells, reducing the incidence of painful inflammatory breakouts. Luzern L’Essentials Hydrating Essence contains Willow Bark extract, a salicylic acid derivative which also adds much needed hydration to all skins.

Serum.

All skins benefit from using a targeted serum (or serums!) to treat a variety of skin conditions. For adult acne, reach for a hydrating serum with anti-inflammatory properties combined with proven acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid or glycolic acid. Luzern Serum Absolut Recovery is a veritable swiss army knife of serums with anti-inflammatory and anti-redness superstar Niacinamide, Piperonyl glucose which protects from external causes of redness combined with exfoliating and non-irritating Willow tree bark extract (which is gentler on skin than Salicylic acid) and anti-microbial probiotic lactobacillus, while Payot Pâte Grise Serum includes antibacterial Polysaccarides and deeply penetrating Glycolic acid to boost cell renewal.

Spot Treatment.

Despite our best skincare habits, spots happen! For active breakouts, a localised treatment product can help lessen the duration, reduce inflammation, and help heal acne breakouts. Long gone are the days of harsh, drying acne treatment. Mary Cohr Microbiotic purifying gel combines a powerful cocktail of exfoliating gluconolactone and glycolic acid, soothing aloe, and anti-inflammatory zinc for instant soothing action.

Hydrate.

Repeat after us: acne-prone skin is dehydrated skin! Hydration is non-negotiable, and thankfully there are care ingredients that simultaneously treat acne and signs of aging. Luzern La Nuit Retinol Crème Luxe contains Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A. Retinol exfoliates, improves skin texture by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, stimulates collagen production, boosts hydration, diminishes hyperpigmentation, and treats acne all at once.

Peel.

One to three times a week, use a gentle peeling product to exfoliate skin cells and boost cellular turnover, which will reduce the incidence of acne breakouts, reduce scars and pigmentation from past breakouts and help slow the aging of your skin. Luzern L’Essentials Au Vin Exfoliating Pads treatment combines a powerful cocktail of lactic acid, naturally derived salicylic acid and chardonnay grape extract that resurface, brighten and refine skin and slough off dead skin cells without irritating skin (slight tingling may occur on very sensitive skins).

Acne, especially difficult to treat adult acne, can feel like a real burden when simultaneously treating signs of aging. Fortunately, there are multiple treatment options available.

*Please consult with a dermatologist if your acne does not improve.