I'm Supposed to be Too Old for Breakouts!

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

16 May 2008 06:39 AM

I should count myself lucky, I guess -- of all the problems I had in my high school and college years, acne was not really one of them. I would get maybe one zit per month (along with other PMS symptoms) and that was it. As I got older, it tapered off to one pimple every few months.

Fast forward to the last few months. The monthly breakout has started to become more regular again. Yay. And this month, the Lone Ranger zit has been replaced by an intrepid trio of ickiness. I hope this isn't the beginning of a fun new trend in Aimee's skin.

Then I read a statement from the University of Miami School of Medicine that said something like half of all adult women experience breakouts. I don't feel so alone in my awful skin, but... knowing there are so many gals struggling doesn't make me feel much better, really!

Experts put the breakout blame on two things: stress and hormonal fluctuations. A woman's estrogen level tends to ebb and flow like the tides. As estrogen levels decrease, other hormones can stimulate oil production and cause breakouts. Stress can mess with your hormone levels, too.

Many topical acne treatments are geared towards teenagers -- who tend to have oilier skin than mature women. In general, mature skin isn't as oily! So be choosy if you're going for an over-the-counter acne remedy. (Don't just reach for the Oxy or Stridex.)

Look for products that include:

• Salicylic acid -- it can help get rid of dead skin cells that can clog pores and cause breakouts.
• Retinoids -- these vitamin A derivatives are great for the skin because they help regulate cell turnover.
• Anti-inflammatory agents like tea tree and green tea to help reduce redness.
• Humectants -- ingredients that attract moisture to the skin.

If skin problems persist, you may want to talk to your doctor or a dermatologist. A medical professional gets you access to more potent pimple-fighters.

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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Heather Long (16954) 16 May 2008 07:26 AM

Aimee, I've had acne my whole life. It's usually hormonally related and the only time I haven't had acne is when I utilize oral birth control. It's pretty frustrating.

Aimee Amodio (11995) 16 May 2008 12:11 PM

I'm totally feeling like I have three HUGE neon red lights on my face right now! Since you've dealt with it for a lifetime, do you have any other acne advice to offer? :)

Heather Long (16954) 16 May 2008 04:16 PM

I live by Noxema Triple Clean Anti-Blemish pads. I clean my face with them about two to three times a day depending on what I am doing. I also put cream on the spots when I go to sleep. It's the best stuff I can offer.

Heather Long (16954) 16 May 2008 04:17 PM

Oh and keep your hands away from your face, especially if they aren't clean.

Aimee Amodio (11995) 16 May 2008 06:08 PM

I'm terrible at that last one... I'm always touching my face and hair. Reminds me of a game we played at some family member's baby shower -- everybody got three little clothespins and every time somebody caught you touching your hair, you had to surrender a clothespin. The person who collected the most pins won. (I was out of pins in about ten minutes!)

static796 (5) 01 Jan 2009 08:19 PM

Well I wanted to discuss this topic because it's a nightmare. I am 35 and have always had small breakouts but its getting worse. I can see oil on my skin. I wanted to tell everyone what I have tried thus far and nothing is working so here is my list: I have tried Mary Kay Acne Gel, Bye bye blemish(which has worked reducing redness). Neutrogena stress cleanser, Neutrogena scrub, Acne free face wash, Neutrogena foaming face wash, Dove soap (which worked better than most but I think it caused blackheads.) Basis soap, phisoderm and back in my early twenties a Dr. gave me accutane although I didn't have a case of sever acne. Acutane messed up my vision somewhat. Oh and I have tried the proactive approach and not impressed with that at all. I have taken minocylcine which I am thinking is making oil seep through the pores on my nose. Estee lauder cleanser for oily skin, clinique. I spent over 200 bucks on OBAGI and all it did was make my face really red and dried out. Now I am trying Zeno which uses heat to kill the bacteria on the pimple. I can't tell you it works as I only have used it for a day. But not only am I broke from spending money on these products I am very irritated. I should be concerned with wrinkles at this point in my life but instead I am fighting zits everyday I wake up. Now I will tell you my diet is awful due to the fact I love sugar especially around pms time and I don't drink much water at all. So I have followed suggestions from others and I will start drinking more water and have switched my makeup to the mineral. So to all the ladies who are suffering with this problem I feel your pain! If anyone has more suggestions please let others know!

mcmama (51978) 01 Jan 2009 08:52 PM

static796, acne at 35 is not quite the same thing as when you are a teen - I had it - and combination oily dry skin, and probably what you are dealing with in part is rosacea. It is sort of a vicious circle, the inflammation and the zits. And hormones, chocolate, alcohol are all triggers for it - for some people hot temperatures or cold temperatures. salacylic acid is good, as are anti inflammatories, moisturizers, and there are prescription creams too. When it was severe for me, I took low doses of antibiotic, but I try to avoid that. Diet has changed for other health things, and that helps a lot. I am in my 50s now. What's left of my hair is still oily, but my skin does a lot more flaking and drying out. Drink LOTS of water, exercise, sunscreen, and avoid the foods that set it off, and you will keep it under control better.