You’re no longer a teenager and yet somehow, for some crazy reason, you still have a pimple problem! What’s next – worrying about getting a date for the prom?
Although acne is supposed to be a teen crisis, the reality is that many adults suffer from pimples post puberty. According to The American Academy of Dermatology almost 50 percent of adults experience some form of acne, regardless of whether you had breakouts as a teen.
We spoke to Dr. Jessica Wu, LA dermatologist and author of Feed Your Face, on effective but simple ways to tame your old teenage nemesis.
First stop is the drug store. Dr. Wu explains that there are several over the counter medications that can keep breakouts under control. “Adult acne is inflammatory, meaning it gets red and bumpy. Look for a cleanser with salicylic acid, which helps unclog pores and shrinks pimples.” Dr. Wu suggests the sweet smelling Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Acne Wash and Burt’s Bees Acne Clearifying Toner which has natural salicylic acid from willow bark.
If over the counter treatments aren’t doing the trick, talk to your dermatologist about a stronger remedy. “For acne sufferers who have dry skin, I often prescribe Aczone, which is a sulfur based antibiotic that won’t dry you out.”
Your skin is what it eats…or something like that. Dr. Wu suggests that the food you eat has a big effect on what your skin looks like. “Try to stay away from sugar, which causes inflammation and aggravates breakouts, and do you best to limit dairy…even the organic kind. It contains hormones that are inflammatory, stimulate oil glands, and lead to clogged pores. Just be sure to get calcium elsewhere.”
xx, The FabFitFun Team
