Truth is, breakouts rank as the top skin care concern among my clients. What they don't have in common however is their age. Believe it or not, breakouts don't disappear once you turn 20! Acne can pop up in your 30's, 40's and beyond. Why? The cause of breakouts changes with age. Luckily, no matter how old you are there are ways to prevent and treat breakouts.
How to Treat and Prevent Breakouts in Your 30's
Feeling stressed? If so this is likely the culprit. Elevated stress levels can cause breakouts. Many of my clients that never experienced breakouts in their teens or 20's suddenly come to me with this concern. Not to mention, clogged pores and premature signs of aging.
Find ways to manage your stress. The 30's can be very stressful due to having to balance a career, family, friends etc. Stress not only causes acne but worsens the skins natural resistance to toxins. Which is why it's critical you amp up your skin care routine.
The reason why stress causes breakouts is that the adrenal glands pump up cortisol levels. Heightened cortisol levels cause the oil glands to produce more oil, making your skin not only look, but feel oily. The breakouts can result in inflamed, pus-filled bumps as opposed to just a few whiteheads or blackheads here and there. Try your best to get enough sleep each night and exercise to help alleviate stress. You may also want to consider practicing yoga or meditation to cope with stress.
Focus on balancing your skin care regimen. Look for products that zone in on anti-aging, but that don't add excess oil. Also, look for moisturizers and serums that are light-weight and oil-free, such as Dermalogica's Active Moist. If you are prone to cystic acne try drinking a glass of hot lemon water when you wake up to flush out any impurities internally. This should help them to not only heal faster but if done consistently, prevent them long-term.
No matter what your age, it's so important to remember not to switch up your skin care routine whenever a breakout strikes! Instead, focus on fighting acne the smart way. Just tweak your routine to focus more on the acne before (or during) breakouts. Choose your products wisely and apply them only to the area affected and in no time your skin will be clear again.
Stayed tuned for my expert tips on how to treat and prevent breakouts in your 40's!
