Acne is often thought of as a teenage affliction; but in fact, it affects about 25% of the adult population in Canada, mostly women. How does it manifest itself? And what types of treatments should you use in your beauty routine? Let’s take a look…

But make no mistake: acne at age 15 and acne at 30 differ in a number of ways, including ...

1. The type of skin that’s affected.  In adolescence, acne occurs mainly on oily skin, whereas in adulthood, all skin types can suffer.
2. The areas that are affected.  During puberty, lesions caused by acne mainly affect the T-zone: the chin, nose and forehead. Later in life, it affects the U-zone: the chin, jaw, cheeks and temples.
3. The appearance and impact of the lesions.  Blackheads and whiteheads, which are caused by excess sebum and impurities that clog pores, are common in teens. These surface imperfections usually disappear without a trace. But in adults, however, it’s not uncommon for deeper and more painful lesions to be caused. These are linked to inflammation of the epidermis, and they’re more likely to leave scars, mainly because the skin regenerates more slowly as we age.

What beauty routine should you adopt to avoid acne?

• Wash your face well, morning and night using an oil-free formula that preserves the protective film naturally produced by your skin. This step is vital in removing accumulated impurities and preventing your pores from becoming clogged. Also, to protect your epidermis as much as possible, make sure you minimize friction. Consider using a leave-in cleanser or sponge your skin gently by patting with a clean towel.
• Moisturize your skin after every wash using a non-oily, non-comedogenic treatment. When your skin is well nourished, your epidermis doesn’t secrete as much excess oil. That has the added benefit of boosting firmness and radiance.

• Exfoliate once or twice a week… carefully!  Don’t use scrubs with grainy textures. They cause too much friction. Instead, use a gentle, non-abrasive peel, which will help your skin breathe without causing inflammation.
• As needed, apply a purifying mask once a week to augment the effects of your other skincare products.

What ingredients should you look for in your care products?

When checking product labels, one key word should be kept in mind: gentle. You don't want to irritate or dry out your skin, which will likely cause it to produce more sebum! Also, make sure that the formulas you choose are adapted to the needs of more mature skin.

• To reduce impurities and lessen the long-term effects of lesions, look for active ingredients like salicylic acid, alpha and lipo-hydroxy acids (AHA and LHA) and benzoyl peroxide. By "dissolving" the residues that accumulate on the surface your skin, these ingredients help unclog your pores, which slows down the growth of bacteria and helps even out your complexion.
• To soothe inflammation, choose natural ingredients like green tea, chamomile, rose and thermal water—they’re all good choices.  
• To counter the signs of aging and cell degradation, look for formulas that are enriched with plumping and antioxidant ingredients, like vitamins B and C, collagen, hyaluronic acid, etc.