I should count myself lucky, I guess — of all the problems I had in my high school and college years, acne was not really one of them. I would get maybe one zit per month (along with other PMS symptoms) and that was it. As I got older, it tapered off to one pimple every few months.
Fast forward to the last few months. The monthly breakout has started to become more regular again. Yay. And this month, the Lone Ranger zit has been replaced by an intrepid trio of ickiness. I hope this isn’t the beginning of a fun new trend in Aimee’s skin.
Then I read a statement from the University of Miami School of Medicine that said something like half of all adult women experience breakouts. I don’t feel so alone in my awful skin, but… knowing there are so many gals struggling doesn’t make me feel much better, really!
Experts put the breakout blame on two things: stress and hormonal fluctuations. A woman’s estrogen level tends to ebb and flow like the tides. As estrogen levels decrease, other hormones can stimulate oil production and cause breakouts. Stress can mess with your hormone levels, too.
Many topical acne treatments are geared towards teenagers — who tend to have oilier skin than mature women. In general, mature skin isn’t as oily! So be choosy if you’re going for an over-the-counter acne remedy. (Don’t just reach for the Oxy or Stridex.)
Look for products that include:
- Salicylic acid — it can help get rid of dead skin cells that can clog pores and cause breakouts.
- Retinoids — these vitamin A derivatives are great for the skin because they help regulate cell turnover.
- Anti-inflammatory agents like tea tree and green tea to help reduce redness.
- Humectants — ingredients that attract moisture to the skin.
If skin problems persist, you may want to talk to your doctor or a dermatologist. A medical professional gets you access to more potent pimple-fighters.