Ah pimples, our old foe. Just when you thought you’d seen the back of those nasty little villains, they rear their ugly heads again well into your 30s and beyond.
Acne is caused by overproduction of oil from sebaceous glands, usually driven by changes in hormone levels, leading to blocked and inflamed pores.
Acne has the same symptoms, whatever the age of the sufferer; however adult acne is generally more concentrated around the chin and neck.
Unfortunately it’s becoming more and more common later in life and in significantly higher rates in women compared with men.
Key causes are believed to include the hormone fluctuation during menstrual cycles and pregnancy, as well as low-level changes in stress, thanks to the hormone cortisol that floods the body.
As you can see from poor Kendall’s recent red carpet appearance, acne doesn’t discriminate with celebrities.
Your acne toolkit
Spot Treatment
Always have a targeted treatment on hand that will stop the pimple formation in its tracks and help reduce scarring.
Try: Epiology Extra Strength Spot Gel, $25.95
Star natural ingredient – Tea Tree Oil
This pure oil is renowned for its powerful purifying and antibacterial properties and presents an effective alternative for those who seek a chemical-free treatment.
Try: Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Face Wipes for Acne, $10.95 and Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Face Cream, $13.45
Salicylic Acid
Using products that include salicylic acid helps to gently remove dead skin cells, unclog pores and increase cell turnover and boost collagen, that can assist with scarring. When used as part of a daily routine it can greatly assist other active ingredients to penetrate into skin.
Try: Shiseido Ibuki Multi Solution Gel, $69 or Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser, $63
Benzoyl Peroxide
This is another highly effective ingredient used in topical products, as it works to kill the amount of acne-causing bacteria in the skin.
Try: Benzac AC Gel, $22.95
Anti-aging and acne
You can treat both simultaneously.
According to Ultraceuticals Global Education Ambassador Tracey Beeby, “Vitamin A (retinol) is a well-known anti-ageing ingredient that has been shown to increase collagen and elastin production, prevent its degradation and provides assistance with acne as well due to its ability to reduce hyperkeratosis within the follicle.
So treatment for adult acne is relatively similar to that of teenage acne.
Try: Ultraceuticals Ultra A Skin Perfecting Serum Mild, $124.
At home tool
Channelling in-clinic treatment, blue light targets acne-causing bacteria while red light reduces acne inflammation. The mask should be put on after cleansing and left to work for 10 minutes, when it will turn off automatically.
Try: Neutrogena Light therapy Acne Mask, $79
Amy has been the beauty editor of Woman’s Day for a decade. She’s proudly celeb-obsessed, always on the hunt for the perfect bronze eyeshadow and lives for a good highlight.
