First, let me straighten out a misconception.  Adult acne is no different from juvenile acne; and it should be treated the same way.

Acne may be  attributed to genetics or hormonal imbalance.   Contributing factors, or acne triggers, include lifestyle choices, such as diet, sleep pattern, hygiene, or  stress.  When skin does not exfoliate as it  should, dead cells build up on the skin surface and inside the  pore.  Dead cells mix with trapped oil and pores become clogged, resulting in blackheads  and whiteheads.   Some forms of  acne require medical supportive treatment, such as oral medication or  procedures. Recommendations for acne skin care are based upon the  severity of acne, presence of discoloration, age of patient, and probability  of scarring with acne.

Here  are a few rules and tips for acne-prone skin:

Cleansing.   Skin should be cleansed AM and PM with a suitable  cleanser that removes sebum and thoroughly cleanses skin, without stripping  the skin.  Hot water should be avoided, as it dries the skin and  increases oil gland activity.  Skin should be washed for one full minute,  as it takes this long to reduce surface sebum and remove dirt and  debris.    A toner or astrigent should follow washing AM and  PM to restore the pH and reduce surface bacteria.  I recommend the ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Cleanser for oily and acne-prone skin.

Unclog  the pores. A build up of dead cells, oil and  debris results in clogged pores.  When oil and debris mix with bacteria  inside the clogged pore, the pore can become inflamed and result in papules  (small bumps) or cysts.   It’s important  to keep your pores open, allowing oil and dead  cells to exit the pore naturally. Exfoliation is one way to keep the pores  clean and skin smooth and can be achieved by use of a scrub, one time daily,  AM or PM.  To be effective, a scrub should not be too gentle, or too  harsh.  Harsh scrubs may result in microtears on the skin surface,  allowing bacteria to enter, creating further problems.  Magnesium  crystals, such as those found in Exfoliating Polish by ZO Skin  Health, are perfect for exfoliating the skin, as they are round, so they  do not tear the skin, yet they do the job in clearing off dead skin cells and  removing surface debris.

Oil-producing glands tend to be more prominent in the t-zone (around the nose, forehead and chin), so oily skin is more problematic  there.   ZO Skin Health TE pads are soaked in salicylic acid and  glycolic acid to exfoliate the skin cells and reduce oiliness.    It’s the combination of these two—a mechanical exfoliant and a  chemical one—that work together to control oiliness and breakouts.   Generally, having one without the other just isn’t enough for acne prone individuals.

Have a Facial. Tea  tree oil is well known for it’s anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial  properties.  Apply a tea tree mask once or twice a week to help control  acne break-outs.     Additionally, you can use this mask to spot  treat pimples, leaving the mask on overnight.   If you wish, ask a good and trusted aesthetician for an acne mask.

Manage your Diet.  Rumor has it that  chocolate causes acne, but there has never been any proof of that.  There  is general agreement, however, that fatty, oily foods, and  diets high in refined sugar and carbohydrates can trigger acne flare-ups.  Salty,  iodized, or spicy foods can also be  a problem for some people.  Water is essential to good health and necessary to keep the skin  hydrated and looking its best. Drinking  plenty of water helps to flush out toxins from the  body.

Be careful with  Cosmetics. Beware of the term “oil-free”. Many manufacturers use synthetic  oils, rather than natural oils (like animal, vegetable or mineral oil),  because these oils technically can be called “oil-free”.  But the  synthetic oils can still cause or aggravate acne. Frequently acne caused by  cosmetics will appear as whiteheads over the cheeks, forehead and chin. Mineral make-up is generally recommended, as it contains natural ingredients that do not cause irritation or harm the skin.

Moisturizers. Similar to cosmetics, some  moisturizers will provoke acne and therefore are not recommended for acne-prone skin. Moisturizers result in a build-up of dead cells, decreased cellular exfoliation, and  damage to the skin.  Moisturizers are only recommended under  certain circumstances and then only a functional moisturizer (one with  active ingredients that stimulate cellular activity) is recommended, like  Ommerse Daily Renewal or Ommerse Overnight Recovery, from ZO Skin Health.

De-stress. When you are stressed, stress  hormones become imbalanced and a variety of health problems  may occur.  You may not be able to avoid stress, but you  can manage it with exercise, meditation, and personal  down-time.

If acne problems persist, it’s important to get  medical treatment, because acne can cause scars.  See a dermatologist for a recommendation, treatment and/or prescription.