Acne Isn’t Just for Teenagers
Acne can strike people at any age, not just during the teen years. It can be embarrassing, sometimes to the point where you don’t even feel comfortable leaving the house. Over the years, I’ve seen people in tears over having to cancel plans because they felt too self-conscious to go out—and I know this feeling firsthand.
I got my first pimple in my teens. At that time, treatment options were limited: you’d dab on Clearasil or toothpaste as a spot treatment, and if that failed, you’d sit in the sun to “dry out the pimples.” Of course, that only made matters worse. Ultimately, many of us ended up in a dermatologist’s office, trying one antibiotic after another. None of them worked.
When new acne-fighting ingredients came on the market, I tried many of them, but it often felt like a roller coaster ride. One day my skin would be clear, and the next I’d have a big breakout and wouldn’t want to leave the house. Some days my skin looked oily; other days, it was dry and flaky. I’d tolerate a new moisturizer for a while, only to wake up with a rash out of nowhere. It was beyond frustrating.
That’s when I realized that while good products are important, having solid skincare habits is just as crucial. You can find the best product for your skin. For women, if you go to bed wearing makeup every night, you’ll think the product isn’t working—only to shove it onto the growing pile of “ineffective” items in your cabinet. And since not every acne ingredient works for every person, it can take time to pinpoint what’s best for you. In the meantime, if your skincare routine is lacking, you can undermine the very ingredients that might be helping.
Acne is the result of bacteria, sebum, inflammation, and clogged pores. It took me years—along with numerous products and visits to dermatologists—to finally get my acne under control. But I didn’t see consistent improvements until I practiced healthy skincare habits day after day.
Below are some tips to help you avoid common acne triggers and work toward clearer skin:
- Don’t touch your face. Your hands carry bacteria, and bacteria is a primary culprit behind breakouts.
- Don’t pick at pimples. Squeezing them only spreads bacteria and can push it deeper into the pore, potentially causing cysts.
- Don’t go to bed with makeup on. You need to remove pore-clogging makeup, along with the day’s dirt, grime, and bacteria.
- Don’t use your body towel on your face. Body towels harbor bacteria. Use a fresh, face-only towel every day.
- Don’t use sponges, washcloths, scrubbing pads, or electronic brushes. All can be breeding grounds for bacteria.
- Don’t let your phone touch your face. Phones collect bacteria, so wipe them down daily with sanitizing wipes.
- Don’t use dirty makeup brushes. Again, these are magnets for bacteria.
- Don’t overdo sun exposure. Besides the risks of brown spots and skin cancer, too much sun can dry your skin, causing flakes that clog pores.
- Don’t wait too long to wash your pillowcase. Hair products can contain pore-clogging ingredients that transfer to your pillow at night.
- Don’t use products containing silicone. Dimethicone is a common ingredient in lotions and serums, but some people break out because of it.
- Don’t let toothpaste get on your chin. Triclosan in toothpaste is not an effective pimple treatment—it can actually cause irritation.
Finally, do stay positive. These days, there are countless treatments and products that can help with acne. If you need guidance, reach out to us. Schedule a consultation, and we’ll help you find the road to clearer, healthier skin.
Erik Pampalone is the co-founder and managing director of Naya Aesthetics. He has over 25 years of strategic and operational management expertise. In addition to founding Naya in 2008, Erik has provided strategic consulting and executive management services to many Fortune 100 companies, including Microsoft, Verizon, and WellPoint, Walt Disney, and Abbott Labs. He has a BS in biology from the University of California San Diego.