Top 10 Facts About Adult Acne You Don’t Hear About

Anyone with acne tends to become somewhat of a skincare expert by necessity. We all know that too much oil can lead to acne breakouts, and many of us have spent countless hours and dollars trying out every acne-fighting ointment under the sun, to varying degrees of success. But did you know that there’s a lot about acne you probably don’t hear about?

Acne doesn’t only happen to teens, it happens to adults now much more often.  Within the past 10 years, the average age of an acne sufferer is 26 years old!   The treatment of adult acne requires a stronger reaction.  And that’s why we’re here!  So let’s dive into 10 adult acne facts you may not be aware of, that can make for great knowledge when it comes to treating your condition long term!

1. Acne is a disease. Because the frustrations and embarrassment that may come with acne are often (unfairly) associated with poor hygiene or greasy food habits, many tend to overlook the fact that acne is a medical condition. In fact, acne is the most common skin condition affecting Americans, and does not discriminate between age, sex, race, or economic status.
2. Pimples are an inflammatory response. If you have acne, you’re probably all-too familiar with those pesky, sometimes painful, red or white bumps that appear on the skin, usually the face, chest or back. Because our main objective is to get rid of these swollen blemishes as quickly as possible, many people look at acne symptoms as an affliction, but did you know that breakouts are actually a natural reaction to an external trigger? When excess sebum and dead skin cells collect within the pores, they form bacteria, called P. acnes. This bacteria triggers the body to send in white blood cells to “fight off” what it sees as an infection, in a process known as “inflammation,” which can lead to symptoms such as acne vulgaris, or pimples, on the surface of the skin.
3. Popping a pimple can make acne worse. The first thing many people want to do upon witnessing a fresh breakout on their face is to pop that sucker into oblivion. Conversely, the first thing many skincare experts suggest you maintain, no matter what, is to keep those fingers away from your skin, and for good reason! Because pimples are full of harmful bacteria, popping one can spread that badness into surrounding pores, which can lead to even more breakouts, not to mention scarring, pitted, or pock-marked skin.
4. Acne is caused by an internal imbalance. It isn’t uncommon to read or hear something pinning acne on greasy fries or pizza, or sugar-rich sweets such as chocolate. While what we eat certainly can have an impact on our skin, the true cause of acne can be blamed on an internal, hormonal imbalance. Such an imbalance can affect the sebaceous glands, which work to produce sebum (skin oil) necessary to hydrate and protect the skin. When over stimulated (having too many male hormones called androgens have an ability to do exactly this), these glands can produce too much sebum, which can lead to clogged pores. The clogged pores, containing a mixture of skin oil, dirt, dead skin cells and other possible debris, become a “social salon” for bacteria, resulting in producing acne symptoms such as comedones, pimples and cysts. Non-inflammatory symptoms such as whiteheads and blackheads are also produced. In order to experience real relief from acne, it’s important to target the problem at its source - the sebaceous glands, which AcnEase does in the safest way possible. Creating a buffer between the hormones and the sebaceous glands, AcnEase works to prevent acne before it starts, without actually affecting the hormones at all.
5. Topical products can help, but won't "cure," acne. Because acne starts from within, treating acne is an inside job. In order to truly rid your skin of acne, the problem needs to be addressed with a one-two punch, targeting oil production from within, while keeping the surface clean and free of irritants. Topical solutions can provide temporary relief, which is why we always suggest an approach of combination therapy for the best results!
6. Your skin actually needs some oil to function. Oily skin gets a bad rap. Sure, too much of it can lead to clogged pores, and acne breakouts, but did you know that the skin needs some oil in order to function? Sebum, or oil, is produced to keep skin hydrated and protected, locking necessary moisture in while keeping harmful irritants out. Without it, our skin would remain dry, brittle and cracked. When we remove too much from the skin’s surface with topical treatments (especially those containing alcohol), the body triggers the sebaceous glands to produce more to make up for what was just lost - which can lead to even more breakouts! When it comes to oil and acne, it’s all about finding balance, which is made easy with a systemic solution like AcnEase.
7. Acne begins forming days before you see a breakout. By the time you see that blemish on your complexion, the acne cascade has already reached the end of its cycle. The actual pimple typically forms beneath the surface somewhere between 3-5 days before it reaches your complexion, but a full cycle of acne may even take 10-12 days before the inflammation is visible. This is exactly why taking a preventative measure is the only real way to fight acne, and experience long-term results.
8. Watch out for those prescriptions.  Some acne treatments such as Accutane, retinoids, or antibiotics come with harmful side effects. When it comes to acne, especially for anyone with a severe case, of course it is tempting to go to any measures available to get the relief that comes with clear skin. Many dermatologists will eventually prescribe a course of antibiotics treatments for those finding it particularly hard to treat their acne, yet on the flip side, some people experience side effects ranging from limited sun exposure to severe depression.
9. Sunlight can make acne worse. Long ago, tanning was recommended as a solution to ridding the skin of acne blemishes. By drying the skin out, medical professionals believed sun exposure to be the ultimate cure-all, but too much can actually lead to more sebum and darker scarring, two problems you don’t want to be left to face once that tan fades!
10. Keeping clean linens can do a lot to reduce acne symptoms. This is a simple tip that can truly go a long way - regularly washing those pillowcases and towels can make a big impact on the health and appearance of your skin. Because both of these items can collect dead skin cells, oil and bacteria, which can lead to clogged pores, these often overlooked, everyday items can be a hidden source of acne-causing irritants, so simply changing your cleaning habits here can truly make a big difference!

Now that you know the ins and outs of this condition known as adult acne, it’s hopefully a little clearer just what’s needed to truly treat the problem in order to experience long-term results. Topical treatments and prescription medications can take you so far, but why compromise your sanity, and health, just for temporary relief? AcnEase not only works to deliver clear, healthy skin, but keeps you from scrambling to rid your complexion of breakouts by preventing acne before it starts! Using safe and effective herbal ingredients, AcnEase offers several treatment options depending on the severity of your symptoms to give you and your skin what it deserves - real results!

We want to hear from you! Did you know about any of these facts already? Have anything to add to the list? Tell us in the comments!