It’s always nice when people still think you’re a teenager, except when it’s solely based on the prepubescent state of your skin. Dermatologist Jonette Keri PhD estimates that 30% of women and 20% of men ages 20 to 60 (and beyond) are troubled by breakouts.
President of Skin Health Solutions, Mildred Bell says acne issues have a lot to do with hereditary traits. “Although the term acne is often used for pimples and blackhead breakouts, acne is a disease of the skin and its often hereditary,” she said. “It can be controlled in most people with medications that include Vitamin A derivatives or hormones, skin treatments and proper daily care.”
Here are some topical treatments that should help keep your skin glowing:
Cleansers: Because your skin may be more temperamental than the average youngster with acne, sensitive cleansers are better. Cetaphil is a popular and great brand for a daily cleanser.
Moisturizer: There needs to be a balance between killing unwanted bacteria in the skin and keeping moisturized. Bell says, “Skin is an organ of elimination.. oils, sweat and toxins are constantly being excreted. Using make-up, sunscreens and moisturizers with titanium and zinc oxides can plug pores and cause breakouts especially during summer months.”
You may want to consider using more than one moisturizer, one for the day and one for night. The day cream should have SPF 30 in it and can be over-the-counter. The night cream can be more specific to your problem. Hyper pigmentation, which is common in African-Americans, can be treated with products that contain salicylic and glycolic acids. For on-the-spot pimple treatment consider products with benzoyl peroxide. Although aging is less of an issue with women of color because of melanin’s protective nature night creams can be used sparingly.
Professional Treatments: Microdermabrasion and chemical peels are popular options for treating scarring. Also blue light therapy treatments kill acne-causing bacteria. But consult dermatologists before getting any these procedures done, your skin issues might not be that severe.
Diet: Different foods may trigger acne for different people. Research has shown that a person’s diet doesn’t completely contribute to getting pimples. However, if you notice certain foods, like chocolate or fried foods aggravate your skin, cut them out of your diet. Water is an all around great remedy to help flush out bacteria and keep skin nourished.
Regimen: According to WebMD you should try to keep your face clean during the day. Use makeup that doesn’t clog or weigh you face down. Make sure to wash your face twice daily with a cleanser. Use only cold to lukewarm water (hot water is drying). Wash for just 1-2 minutes.
Weren’t taking notes? We’ve got you covered. Here are Bell’s “Ten Beauty Basics” for avoiding breakouts:
1. Thoroughly remove make-up every night.
2. Cleanse lightly in the AM.
3. Use a deep pore cleanser or exfoliating mask at least once a week.
4. Buy a stack of cheap wash cloths and use a clean one daily.
5. Choose an exfoliating cleanser with multi-fruit acids.. or salicylic acid if you’ve got thick oily skin.
6. Flip pillows nightly and change pillowcases twice a week.
7. Keep hair off face especially if using gels, pomades or hair fixatives.
8. Use a water based moisturizer to prevent dehydration (even if you’re oily) to help balance oil production.
9. Drink plenty of water and exercise.
10. Limit or eliminate excessive sugar and sodas.. (candida can make acne worse ) take note of what you’re eating when breakouts worsen.
Check out Bell’s line of products for women of color here.
