While acne and skin problems are common in adolescence, they can also occur at 25, 30, 40 or even 50 years old. But then, why do we still have pimples and blemishes as adults? What are the main causes and how to get rid of them for good?
While acne and skin problems are common in adolescence, they can also occur at 25, 30, 40 or even 50 years old. But then, why do we still have pimples and blemishes as adults? What are the main causes and how to get rid of them for good?
In France, nearly 6 million people are affected by acne. This skin condition, characterized by the appearance of pimples, is the leading cause of visits to dermatologists. It generally affects teenagers but also adults, and particularly women, since on average 50% of them suffer from skin problems. While at 15 you treated your pimples with lotions, creams, and other treatments recommended by doctors, adult acne involves a whole host of factors such as diet, lifestyle, pollution, hormones, and especially stress—and as a result, adult acne is much more difficult to get rid of.
Why do I still have acne after 30?
Whether it is adolescent or adult, most of the time acne is of inflammatory origin and is distinguished by red and swollen pimples located in different areas of the face (chin, neck, jaw, cheeks and forehead).
These inflamed pimples are caused by bacterial overgrowth in the pores of the skin. The pores, which surround each hair follicle, house the sebaceous glands which themselves secrete sebum, essential for the good health of the skin. However, if the sebaceous glands are stimulated too much, the sebum will accumulate and create a clog of oil and bacteria. This is where the famous pimple forms.
What stimulates the sebaceous glands?
In the latest episode of HO KALM, our podcast for deconstructing stress, Alexandra Vignon, aka @the.good.balance (naturopath, sophrologist, and author of the “À fleur de peau” program), who supports women suffering from anxiety-related acne, points to hormonal and metabolic imbalances as contributing factors. Diet, pollution, lifestyles, and especially stress all influence our hormones and cells, triggering inflammatory reactions in the skin, which could explain why more and more women are developing acne in adulthood these days.
The link between stress and acne
According to a 2017 research review in “ The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology ”, a dermatologist-validated questionnaire administered to 3,305 women aged 25 to 40 in France revealed that 41% of women suffered from adult acne, and that stress was among the main contributing factors for the majority of women surveyed.
What's the connection? When we experience stress, our adrenal glands release a hormone called cortisol into the bloodstream. Cortisol's role is to help the body gather energy to respond to a perceived threat, but when stress becomes constant and cortisol levels spike, things get complicated. High cortisol levels lead to the activation of sebocytes, the cells that produce sebum. These activated sebocytes also release cytokines, a major contributor to acne breakouts. Furthermore, chronic stress can lead to an imbalanced microbiome, creating a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.
Don't: Touch your pimples
An increase in sebum, inflammation, and bacteria creates the perfect combination for a whole host of pimples on your face, chest, or back. People suffering from chronic stress are more prone to this type of acne and can sometimes develop dermatillomania, an obsessive-compulsive disorder characterized by an irresistible urge and need to pick at and scratch pimples in an attempt to make them disappear. According to Alexandra Vignon, this condition should not be taken lightly: “ Dermatillomania raises psychological issues related to stress, poor emotional management, unspoken feelings, and things that aren't expressed, leading to self-harm .” This conclusion is significant, as in June 2021, the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended psychological support for people severely affected by acne.
No doubt stress is an aggravating factor in adult acne, but we must not forget its symptoms such as sugar cravings which cause a spike in insulin, this hormone also linked to the production of sebum, as well as the lack of sleep which particularly affects the skin.
How do I treat my adult acne?
First of all, don't panic, acne breakouts don't last forever and always go away. It can be interesting to consider adult acne as an alert, an invitation to take care of yourself and understand what your body needs to be healthy.
Greenery Cure + roll-on farewell Button
Purifying Duo - Roll-on + Mask
1. Find the cause of acne
If your diet is rich in sugar, be sure to reduce the dose, also beware of cigarettes and alcohol, which do not mix well with the skin. Also take a look at the composition of your beauty products, do they contain harmful and/or comedogenic ingredients? Find products that contain natural ingredients, CBD, niacinamide and also zinc (natural active ingredients known for their effectiveness against blemishes). In short, care that is good for you and your skin.
If you find that you mainly have rashes during your period, you are probably suffering from hormonal acne related to your cycle rather than acne related to stress, in this specific case it is recommended to speak to your gynecologist. to take stock of the methods of contraception and the possible solutions.
The only way to tell if acne is stress-related is to take a step back and assess recent stress levels. If you've had a lot of stress lately or are particularly anxious by nature, look no further!
2. Less stress, less pimples
Understanding the role stress plays in our lives is the first step to managing its symptoms. Take a deep breath and start thinking about solutions: breathing techniques, meditation, reducing sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and screen time, and regular physical activity can only do you good for maintaining healthy skin. “ If you’re stressed, buy yourself a watch, put your phone away, go for a walk, disconnect from your daily routine, and breathe! ” advises Alexandra Vignon. As for diet, focus on organic foods rich in essential nutrients, and cook from scratch: find inspiration in our article on anti-acne foods.
If your bathroom is overflowing, sort through everything (all the tips from Christine Tessier , organizing coach, to effectively sort your beauty products) and focus on natural anti-stress treatments like hemp and/or CBD oil, whose benefits for skin and sleep are clinically proven.
An in & out solution against acne
Our vision of an effective anti-blemish treatment? De-stress the body AND the mind to regulate sebum and inflammation, and finally regain healthy skin in the long term.
The in & out prescription
Out: Our "Green Cure" mask purifies the skin, deeply eliminates excess sebum, dries out blemishes, and reduces redness—all that and more! Broad-spectrum CBD, combined with CBG and terpenes, lowers cortisol and androgen production by the adrenal glands, naturally leading to reduced sebum production and inflammation. And for existing blemishes? Niacinamide (or vitamin B3) helps with cell renewal and strengthens the skin barrier, resulting in smoother skin and a more even complexion. Zinc, meanwhile, has ultra-effective anti-inflammatory and healing properties to combat imperfections.
Our latest innovation, the Adieu Bouton anti-blemish roll-on , is the first roll-on with CBD and niacinamide. This CBD and CBG roll-on provides a purifying and anti-inflammatory action to accelerate the natural cycle of blemish formation and disappearance. Niacinamide, meanwhile, reduces redness and inflammation, significantly eliminates hyperpigmentation, and evens skin tone while promoting hydration. To learn more about niacinamide, please refer to our article . A winning combination for soothed and clear skin!
Introducing L'Antidote, our broad-spectrum CBD oil for ingestion to relieve prolonged or chronic stress and reduce cortisol levels. A few drops under the tongue, several times a day, for a more peaceful life.
Discover our anti-imperfection range for healthy and soothed skin.
Stressed out right now?
We are launching the largest study ever conducted on stress (participate here)
The prize: 15% off everything on the hokaran.com e-shop and the results of the study, for a guaranteed stress-free life, delivered to your inbox first!
Stressed out right now?
We are launching the largest study ever conducted on stress (participate here)
The prize: 15% off everything on the hokaran.com e-shop and the results of the study, for a guaranteed stress-free life, delivered to your inbox first!