Does today’s breakout take you back to the tenth grade or prom night when you thought your life was over because of a pimple? Or does it leave you wondering if you’ve just now entered puberty because you never had breakouts in high school. Whether or not you had acne in your teen years is no predicator for adult acne – a very real condition that plagues millions of grown ups.

Don’t be fooled. It’s not the same old breakout. Adult acne causes more inflammation of the skin than teen acne. Adult skin has been exposed to many more harsh chemicals, years of sun and wind, and, in most cases, poorer nutrition and less exercise. The result of these and the reduction of natural elasticity and density make adult acne potentially much more severe than teen acne.

While teen acne is usually located in the T-zone and, in severe cases, on the cheeks, adult acne normally appears on the chin, around the mouth and along the jaw line. When skin is irritated by hair care products, adult acne can also emerge along the hair line on your forehead and cheeks.

While genetics plays a definite role in adult acne, experts say we are more prone to breakouts due to stress and changes in hormone levels. It seems that our lifestyle, nutrition and relaxation (or lack thereof) play a significant role in adult breakouts. This is good news on one level, because we can control our stress levels with a little focus and some lifestyle shifts. Begin with five minutes a day that you spend in silence – that means no sounds, no light, no thoughts. Specialists agree that this alone could be the beginning of a healthier you inside and out.

Because mature skin has spent a lifetime of expose to the elements, it is often not able to cope with the extreme drying and irritating products so quickly applied by teens. Although benzoyle peroxide and salicylic acid remain tops in the fight against acne, they are also among the harshest when it comes to drying the skin. Begin with the basics: cleanse with a moisturizing and pH balancing cleanser (you can find some with effective anti-aging benefits as well), rinse well with cool – not cold – clean water and pat dry. Never rub an existing blemish. Breaking the skin on blemishes can spread the bacteria and lengthen the outbreak. Use a daily spritzer that is designed to maintain the pH of your skin. This will help decrease oils and keep pores tight. It also refreshes - we are less stressed when we feel refreshed! Look for products that can heal and treat your existing acne while preventing future breakouts like those with hydrating agents, anti-inflammatories, antioxidants and specific acne-fighters which work together to provide the best environment for achieving optimal skin health.

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