by ΥGo to the bathroom, look in the mirror and you are greeted by a new pimple that forms on your face. It’s a well-known sequel to adult acne, but if you’re still looking for the same cleansing-toner-spot combination you’ve been using since high school, it’s time to dump her and move on.
Get it from the experts: Once you reach your 20s, your approach to skin care should change even if you still experience frequent outbreaks, according to board-certified dermatologist Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, MD, director of Houshmand Dermatology and Wellness.
“Acne products are not just one size fits all, and different outbreaks require different approaches,” says Dr. Houshmand. “Adolescent skin is usually more oily than adult skin and can tolerate stronger and drier acne medications. Milder and less dry products, combined with an oil-free moisturizer, are usually better for adult skin with acne trend. “
If you scratch your head and wonder how the hell you should keep the imperfections away without hitting salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide (they are your favorites years!), Dr. Houshmand has a rec product that follows a gentler approach without skimping on results: Gladskin Blemish Gel with Micreobalance®.
The topical solution for skin prone to blemishes works to balance the skin microbiome (instead of following the standard, aggressive drying process) to help your skin start to look clearer and less irritated. Are you interested? Continue reading for more information from Dr. Houshmand on the reasons why you may want to rethink your acne solutions.
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The difference between adult acne and teen acne
To understand why you may want to change your treatment methods, you need to understand the difference between adult acne and adolescent acne.
Adolescent acne tends to appear on the cheeks and forehead, while adult acne usually appears around the chin and mouth. And while adolescent acne is generally the result of high levels of hormones during adolescence, Dr. Houshmand says that adult acne can be caused by a combination of factors such as stress, inflammation, genetics, hormonal changes during pregnancy and menstruation, bacterial Imbalances in the skin microbiome and using the wrong products for your skin (do you feel an issue here?).
How To Manage Adult Acne
Adolescent acne often goes away after adolescence, but (unfortunately) there is no official final age for adult acne – which makes it even more important to know the most beneficial ways to manage it.
Dr. Husmand has two basic tips: Never go to bed without washing your face (especially if you wear makeup) and focus on balancing your skin microbiome, also known as your skin’s bacterial community.
“In people with acne, opportunistic bacteria can overgrow, dominate the skin microbiome and disrupt oil production,” says Dr. Houshmand. “This bacterial imbalance is called dysbiosis and triggers an inflammatory response.”
This inflammatory response can present to the skin as dryness, dehydration and flare-ups, but when you restore the microbiome to balance, it reduces inflammation and can lead to improved acne symptoms, says Dr. Houshmand.
How to balance the skin microbiome
Dr. Houshmand recommends Gladskin Blemish Gel to her adult acne patients both because of the ingredients that balance the microbiome it contains and because of what it leaves out.
“Micreobalance® is Gladskin’s exclusive smart protein that balances the skin microbiome and creates an environment where good bacteria can thrive,” says Dr. Houshmand. “It is an endolysin, which is an enzyme that destroys bad bacteria and restores the balance in the microbiome.”
She also likes that Blemish Gel is moisturizing – something many other topicals for acne prone skin are unaware of. “It is a myth that acne prone skin does not need hydration,” says Dr. Houshmand. “It can actually be more dehydrated and benefit from optimizing the skin barrier.”
As for what it leaves out, the product does not contain fragrances, dehydrating alcohols, gluten or parabens, which Dr. Houshmand notes have been linked to hormonal imbalances and subsequent flare-ups.
In short: Gladskin’s Blemish Gel follows an unexpected approach to acne prone skin, nourishing and balancing, not over-drying. Thanks to the balancing properties of the skin microbiome, it gains a place in the list that Dr. must try. Houshmand.
Top photo: Stocksy / ohlamour studio
