ACNE AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF LIFE
Acne is often labelled as a skin concern for teenagers but if you’re wondering: ‘Why have I been struggling with acne for years?’ or ever heard the phrase ‘Acne will go away when you’re older’ please know, you’re not alone.
Acne is related to hormones and an overgrowth of acne causing bacteria. It can manifest at different stages of life and understanding the time of life can help determine the best treatment plan for it.
Acne is not a one-size fits all. We share 3 key periods of life that acne can commonly manifest and how best to treat it.
TEENAGE YEARS & EARLY 20s
Common localisation: All over the face, neck & body
Treatment: Suppress the production of sebum
In teenage years and early 20s the body undergoes huge changes, emotionally and physically. Skin is no exception. During this time the most common cause of acne is the hyperproduction of sebum.
Skincare ingredients that work to suppress the hyperproduction of sebum will be greatly beneficial, these can even include ingredients such as retinol and salicylic acid.
ADULT 25+
Common localisation: Mostly lower face & neck
Treatment: Microbiome care & anti-inflammatory focus
If you are over the age of 25 and still experiencing acne, this is called adult acne or chronic adult acne.
The key differences of acne at this time of life than during teen years is often the localisation — appearing mostly around the lower sections of the face and rarely the forehead. The severity — often becoming a little milder, and the cause.
At this age the hyperproduction of sebum is no longer the key cause of acne. Instead, it is a problem of the compromised skin immunity, inflammation and most importantly your microbiome.
Chronic adult acne can be stubborn and often harder to treat. In recent years, a new understanding of the microbiome has revealed the role of biofilm development.
Biofilms act like a biological glue, allowing acne bacteria to remain adhered to follicles, leading to comedone formation and inflammation.
Skincare ingredients that focus on microbiome health and reducing inflammation will be most effective to treat chronic adult acne. Like our prebiotic-based acne treatment, Eu-Seb concentrate. Also containing a plant-based stem cell extract that stops biofilms from forming.
BEFORE & AFTER EU-SEB CONCENTRATE
MENOPAUSE
Common localisation: All over the face, neck & body
Treatment: Microbiome care, moisturisation & anti-inflammatory focus
Menopause is another time of life where hormones have a huge effect on skin. 15% of women suffer from acne in the menopausal period.
Very similar to acne during teenage years the localisation can often be all over the face, neck, and body. Though the severity is usually milder.
Again, like our chronic adult acne, the hyperproduction of sebum is not a key factor. As we age, we produce less sebum, and our skin becomes drier. So, skincare that focuses on suppressing sebum production will not be as effective.
The best treatment for menopausal acne is a microbiome-oriented plan that also includes anti-inflammatory ingredients and focuses on restoring moisturisation to skin.
