This past summer I was shocked to find myself breaking out every few weeks. I didn't even have acne as a teenager, and there I was battling massive pimples at 29. What the heck?! Not only is adult acne gross, but it's totally embarassing. Apparently, acne is pretty common among women approaching their thirties due to changing hormones, but honestly that doesn't make it any less frustrating. Keep reading to find out how to nip it in the bud.
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1. Know the cause. There are tons of causes of and contributors to acne. Try to figure out if there is anything going on within your realm of control that you can address in order to curb breakouts. Hormonal birth control, stress and diet are a few things that can exacerbate the situation, and are a good place to start when looking for the root cause of your problem.
2. Make lifestyle changes. Eliminate or at least decrease your stress level, cut out junk food, start exercising, quit smoking, etc. You probably already know what needs to change in your life–so do whatever it takes to better your overall wellness.
3. Revamp your routine. Hormones are likely causing changes in your skin. You might have to ditch your current routine and product regimen and start from scratch. Your skin is probably thinner and more fragile than it used to be and if the products you use are too strong, they can further irritate your skin. Start by trying more gentle, moisturizing products. Keep tweaking every couple of weeks until you see a difference.
4. See a dermatologist. If the changes you've made haven't improved your acne or if you are experiencing deep, painful, cystic bumps, you should probably schedule a dermatologist visit. A derm can diagnose and treat stubborn underlying issues and help prevent scarring and other permanent damage.
5. Break out the makeup. Obviously, you don't want to suffocate your bumps with heavy makeup and risk making the problem worse, but sometimes–like when you're giving an important presentation in front of your boss or you're going on a first date–you'll want to camouflage your skin problems. Gently dab on a matte or oil-free concealer then tap on and blend in a shade of powder or eyeshadow that is slightly darker than your natural skin tone.
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