© Provided by New Straits Times
DECADES ago, acne is a teenage issue. But as lifestyles become hectic, with late nights and greasy food as the norm, the problem has expanded to adulthood. And with mask-wearing due to the Covid-19 pandemic, “maskne” seems to have risen as a major challenge in skincare.
Dermalogica Asia-Pacific director of education Emma Hobson says the biggest misconception about pimples is that they occur only on dirty, oily skin.
“Pimples and acne can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or skin type. While teens typically get acne because of puberty hormones that trigger excess sebum production in their skin, adults get acne for a variety of reasons.
“They range from intrinsic factors (stress, genetics, hormones, endocrine disorders, immune system and microbiome imbalance) to extrinsic factors (lifestyle, cosmetics use and the environment).”
Hobson says acne is one of the Internet’s top-searched skincare topic, which makes it universal and not confined to young adolescents.
“Certainly for Malaysia, in recent times, we have seen the rise of maskne — a localised breakout in the area where face masks are worn.
“The sad truth is that we get breakouts well into our adult years. In fact, some of us may have breezed through our teenage year’s breakout-free, only to discover that acne has chosen to ‘befriend’ us in our 30s.”
RISE OF ADULT ACNE
Hobson says getting breakouts as an adult is different from having them as a teen. In adults, pimples tend to appear on the lower half of the face.
“We also typically see less oil and blackheads, but instead, experience more sensitivity because it takes our skin longer to heal as we get older. The knock-on effect of prolonged inflammation on the skin means more pigmentation marks and premature skin ageing.”
There are a lot of reasons why we have breakouts as adults, especially for women. Hormonal fluctuations, our commitment to CrossFit, our love for make-up and poor dietary choices are just some of the triggers.
“One of the biggest factors is stress. For most of us, stress is a constant ‘normal’ in our everyday lives. Stress would be one of the biggest overarching factors driving skin concerns and challenges, particularly acne,” say Hobson.
“Daily stress can lead to the amplification of skin challenges with an increase in stress hormones and chemicals that cause more oil production and sensitivity, which significantly slows down skin healing ability. In short, it’s a recipe for acne.”
Add to anxiety and self-consciousness stemming from acne, you get a double-edged sword that will worsen the condition.
IT SHOWS ON THE SKIN
Your skin is a reflection of your inner health, Hobson says, and a poor diet and lack of exercise can certainly contribute to acne symptoms.
She says research has shown a direct link between the intake of sugar or high glycaemic index (GI) food and dairy products with increasing oil and skin cell production, which may lead to pore congestion and spots.
“A healthy, balanced diet and good water intake is a step in the right direction to maintaining skin health. Regular physical activity can also help to even out blood sugar levels in the body and be of particular benefit in managing the impact of stress hormone cortisol — two factors instrumental in causing acne.”
However, more is not always better. High-energy cardiovascular exercise means increased blood supply to the skin, potentially increasing oil and skin cell production.
“Sometimes, this can also cause increased inflammation as the skin gets hot. Sweating can also cause dirt, debris and skin cells to stick to the skin, increasing the potential for clogged pores and breakouts.
“Always cleanse your skin after exercising to help offset potential breakouts,” she says.
Due to the myriad of potential (and often uncontrollable) triggers, there is no “fool-proof prevention” for acne, Hobson says.
“But we can take measures to limit a period of breakout both in terms of duration and severity. Having a professionally recommended home care routine that has been personalised for your skin, lifestyle and wellness needs can help balance, protect and maintain skin health,” she says.
For teenagers facing acne issues, Hobson recommends that caregivers instill a quick and easy morning and night skincare routine.
“Effectively beginning their skincare journey at this time can provide the additional benefit of creating a moment of mental respite and recharge during their otherwise chaotic days, and help maintain their skin.”
THE PATH TO HEALTHY SKIN
Dermalogica has launched its #SpreadTheLovemark campaign to celebrate 30 years of education, personalised services and innovative products as it helps customers attain their best skin. This education campaign is a celebration of that relationship, with goals of helping customers achieve your healthiest skin ever. #SpreadTheLovemark lives up to its ongoing mission of providing professional advice, sharing about the importance of skin health, and featuring real testimonials from real users.
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