If you’re asking yourself “why am I breaking out?” this article is for you! We’re taking a look at the causes of adult acne, and what you can do to tackle it head on…
“I’m in my 30s, why am I breaking out?”
Listen, our skin is a complex world where hormones, stress, and even the air outside can play a big part. But, if you find yourself wondering why you’re breaking out more often than not, there might be something you can do about it. Our skin is like a diary of our daily lives; so, let’s dive into the why’s of adult acne, and find a game plan to bid those uninvited spots goodbye…
1. You have clogged pores
The root of all acne is clogged pores. Your pores – which are simply the opening that surrounds each hair follicle, are also home to your sebaceous glands.
These glands secrete sebum (oil) through the pore opening, which helps keep your skin soft and protected. But if the pore gets clogged by dirt, dead skin cells, excess oil, and possibly bacteria, you’ve got a recipe for a pimple.If you’re suffering with adult acne, the chances are you may also have large pores. Having large pores doesn’t automatically mean you will develop spots, but it is an indication that your oil glands are a little bigger – and people with oily skin tend to be more prone to blackheads.
An excellent way to stop this from becoming an issue, is to maintain a gentle and regular skin care regimen. Always cleanse twice a day, and use a pore-minimising toner to really tackle the root cause.
Best cleansers and face washes for adult acne prone skin:
Break Free Cleanser from Adaptology | £22
Adaptology have developed a special, oil free gel wash to remove impurities and excess oil without over stimulating oil production. It’s packed with botanicals that help balance oil production and manage pore size (Alpine Willowherb), clarify congested pores and boost exfoliation (1% Salicylic Acid from Willow Bark) and soothes irritation (Organic Aloe Vera.)
Anti-OX Wild Blueberry. Cream-to-foam face cleanser | £6.99
This cream-to-foam face cleanser gently removes dirt and makeup from the skin, deeply moisturising, soothing and evening out complexion. Containing hyaluronic acid – a powerful skin moisturiser, allantoin – a skin soother, this cleanser calms the skin down and protects it against harmful effects of pollution and urban living.
2. You’re using an abrasive face wash
Not cleansing your skin thoroughly can be a huge cause of adult acne, yes – but scrubbing your skin too much (whether with an abrasive washcloth or a rough facial scrub) your breakouts are only going to get worse.
To put it simply – the idea here is to repair your skin’s protective barrier to keep bacteria out, not to cause even more trauma by scrubbing the shit out of it!
Instead, choose a gentle face wash that is 100% organic & natural and has been designed for breakouts, spots and acne-prone skin like the ones above, along with a super-soft face cloth.
The best face washes and cloths to use for adult acne:
So Eco Konjac Face Sponge – Charcoal | £7
Packed with mineral-rich charcoal powder, the Konjac Sponge cleans pores to eliminate blackheads and dirt whilst absorbing excess oils and toxins.
As a natural antioxidant, it kills stubborn acne-causing bacteria and is an effective treatment for spot-prone skin – just add water for the ultimate natural skincare exfoliation.
XOXO Micro-sonic cleanisng brush from Magnitone | £30
This rechargeable silicone cleansing brush from Magnitone uses micro-onic technology and 3 cleansing zones to allow yoou to personalise your experience and feel the difference immediately.
This super-soft cleansing brush will cleanse deep, brighten and soften skin, for a more radiant glow. Ideal for all skin types, XOXO has up to 8,000 Micro-Sonic Pulsations p/min and gets deep under the skin’s surface to dislodge trapped impurities.
100% Bamboo MicroFibre Cleansing Cloths from Magnitone | £13.99
Magnitone’s 100% Bamboo MicroFibre Cleansing Cloths offer a sustainable and gentle solution for clearer skin. Made from soft, absorbent, and biodegradable bamboo fibers, these cloths effectively cleanse and remove makeup with just warm water.
The microfibre technology gently lifts away impurities without harsh scrubbing, making them perfect for sensitive or acne-prone skin. Reusable and durable, these cloths reduce waste and save money.
Clarol Silver and Birch Exfoliating Face Wash | £12.95
Frustrating and stubborn adult acne can be effectively addressed with Clarol Silver and Birch Exfoliating Face Wash. This unique face wash harnesses the power of silver’s antibacterial properties and birch extract’s natural salicylic acid to combat acne-causing bacteria and remove excess oil and dead skin cells.
Gentle exfoliants like pumice stone and rice bran further unclog pores and smooth skin texture, preventing future breakouts. Suitable for sensitive skin, this face wash offers a multi-pronged approach to tackling adult acne, addressing existing breakouts and promoting healthy skin function.
3. Sebum production
So, we already know our pores produce sebum – but what does that actually mean?
Well, contrary to popular belief sebum production is NOT a bad thing! Your body naturally produces sebum, an oily substance protect your skin from free radicals that speed up the skin’s ageing process.
Without sebum, your skin would be vulnerable to damage from the elements, but when your body produces too much, it can mix with dead skin cells and block your pores.
To help prevent adult acne breakouts, you need to manage your levels of sebum production – and more and more people are turning to sebum-controlling products to do this.
Along with other traditional plant extracts used to tackle sebum production, CBD is one ingredient that has been taking the beauty industry by storm for this very reason. Though research into CBD and how it can control sebum production is still in the early stages, recent studies suggested that hemp-based products may help to reduce the way in which your body’s cells produce sebum.
The best products to use to control sebum production:
Polar White Birch Anti-Blemish Correcting Face Serum, for oily & acne prone skin | £5.99
This anti-blemish correcting serum helps to reduce skin imperfections, prevent acne and blackheads, whilst calming skin and minimising pores.
Containing Niacinamide to help strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier, whilst regulating skin balance. Glycolic Acid brightens, tones and evens out the texture of your skin.
Bioderma Sébium Mattifying Moisturiser Combination to Oily Skin | £13.50
Bioderma’s anti-blemish range, Sébium; is a mattifying moisturising treatment for oily skin that targets on cutaneous shine.
Enrichedwith an exclusive sebo-correcting Fluidactiv™ complex, the Sébium line is formulated for acne-prone, combination and oily skin types and offers treatments that directly act on sebum quality.
4. Your diet is to blame
Doing everything right with your skincare but still suffering breakouts? One way that we can better manage adult acne include looking at our diet and lifestyle and making modifications.
Holly Zoccolan, Nutritional Health Coach & Founder of The Health Zoc explains: “Reducing dairy consumption has been shown to help improve acne breakouts as well as reducing the amount of processed sugars in your diet, too.
“You want to be making sure that you are eating wholefoods and including plenty of healthy fats in our diet to help manage acne flareups.
“A diet rich in vegetables, oily fish such as salmon, avocados, nuts and seeds, chia seeds and flax seeds and a range of fruits are great to add into your diet to help manage acne. These types of foods really feed the skin from within and can help the skin to heal by reducing inflammation.”
The best foods to eat for clear skin:
- Foods high in vitamin E: including, almonds, avocado, hazelnuts, pine nuts and sunflower and corn oils.
- Selenium-rich foods such as: brazil nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs, wheatgerm, tomatoes and broccoli.
- Foods rich in antioxidising Betacarotene, such as: carrots, sweet potatoes and pumpkin, kale, papaya and spinach.
5. It’s your pillowcase
Dirt, dust and oil from your hair can collect on your pillowcase – especially if you’ve been having one of those ‘dry-shampoo-weeks’, (we’ve all been there girl!)
Add some possible dribble (again, you’re not the only one) and your pillowcase can very quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria without you even noticing. Make sure to change your pillowcase at least once a week, and invest in a satin pillowcase where possible, as it doesn’t absorb moisture in the same way cotton does and will be a lot kinder to your skin and hair.
The kindest bedding and pillowcases for your skin:
SilverGuard Antimicrobial Bed Sheets | from £35
SilverGuard Antimicrobial Bed Sheets offer a proactive solution for healthier skin, particularly for those battling adult acne. Infused with IONIC+ silver thread technology, these sheets actively combat bacteria and viruses, creating a cleaner sleep environment.
Hypoallergenic and breathable, they’re ideal for sensitive skin, preventing sweat and bacteria buildup. Luxuriously soft Supima cotton ensures comfort, while durability guarantees long-lasting antimicrobial protection.
6. You smoke
Every time you light up a cigarette, you decrease the amount of oxygen that can get to your face which can not only cause the breakdown of collagen and elastin that leads to wrinkles and increased pore size, but the carcinogen in the smoke also irritates your skin and dries it out, triggering your skin to produce more oil and possibly more breakouts.
To minimise the effects, you should obviously give up smoking – but that’s easier said than done. If you’re not ready to quit, at least make sure that you’re cleansing your skin thoroughly every morning and evening.
7. You’re not taking your makeup off
This one speaks for itself: sleeping in your makeup is not only going to clog your pores, but it’s going to put even more dirty skin cells into your pillow. Make sure you’re cleansing, toning and moisturising each night before bed, and always wash your face again in the morning before applying any products.
8. Your brushes are dirty
Whilst we’re on the subject of makeup, one of the dirtiest items in our makeup bag is actually the one that touches our face the most: our brushes. If you don’t clean your make up brushes regularly, then you’re not alone, but you’re not doing yourself any favours.
9. You’re not getting enough sleep
Last, but absolutely not least – a lack of sleep can cause your skin to break out terribly.
Studies have shown that by disrupting your hormones, sleeplessness also unsettles the chemical balance in your skin that wards off pimples.
The best products to help you get a better night’s sleep:
Echor End of Day Pillow Mist | £14.99
Made with 100% pure essential oils, including; Lavender, Geranium, Eucalyptus and Sweet Orange, this relaxing pillow mist helps your stress and anxiety to melt away. As well as the calming properties of lavender, eucalyptus oil has also been shown to lower blood pressure and decrease the activity of the body’s stress response system. Deep sleep awaits!
Jen is our resident wellness and features editor here at The Daily Struggle. You will probably find her on the beach, painting her house or writing about magick and motherhood.
