Acne Treatment

A woman is applying acne cream to her face.

Acne: It’s Not Just for Teens

Largely associated with adolescents and teenagers, acne is something most of us suffer from at some point in life. While usually disappears by the time we hit our 30s, it’s not uncommon for it to persist through adulthood. So, if you’re one of the many adults suffering from acne, it’s worth knowing how to treat it effectively.    

What Causes Acne?

Despite what you may have heard, poor diet, poor hygiene or wacky hormones don’t actually cause this common skin condition. In fact, no single factor can be pinpointed as the true cause of acne. Put simply, the main cause of acne is sebum build-up due to oil, dead skin, or bacteria blocking the pores in your skin. This, in turn, promotes bacterial growth which causes the surrounding tissues to become inflamed and form pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads. Luckily, using daily skin cleansers or specialised night treatments is usually all it takes to keep your skin clear. But what to do when faced with an unexpected breakout?   

How to Treat Acne

If you’ve suffered from it as a teen, chances are you’ve tried at least one DIY acne treatment. The truth, however, is that most of these “home remedies” are simply nothing more than old wives’ tales. So, before we get into treatments that actually work, it’s worth mentioning a few home remedies that don’t. 

Acne Home Remedies that Don’t Work

Apple Cider Vinegar. As good an astringent it may be (there are better), apple cider vinegar doesn’t really do much good for this particular skin condition. In fact, it can even dry out and irritate your skin.   

Aloe Vera. Soothing as it is, there simply isn’t enough conclusive research that proves aloe vera (by itself) is an effective treatment for acne. 

Fish Oil Supplements: Yes, fish oil does wonders for cardiovascular health. But does it treat acne? No. Medical studies have yet to show conclusive evidence that fish oil supplements have any noticeable effect on the treatment of acne in adults.

Acne Treatments that Do Work

Your best bet to treat acne fast is to use over the counter medication or skin care products that contain active ingredients proven to be effective at treating the skin condition. One such ingredient is benzoyl peroxide. Medically proven to dry out existing pimples and eliminate bacteria, benzoyl peroxide is common active ingredient in specialised topical creams like DermaClear Spot Treatment.   

Our recommendation 

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. So, we recommend avoiding oily or greasy makeup if you’re prone to oily skin. Be sure to shower after excessive sweating and use a recovery serum the moment you suspect a breakout. Cosmetology stocks a range of tried and tested serums like RégimA’s Acne Attack Rescue Serum, which attacks problems head-on and alleviates blackheads and spots for a more refined appearance.

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