The Clear-Skin Makeover

Like high school pop quizzes and awkward prom dates, pimples are supposed to be distant bad memories. If only. But these days, even moms of teens are battling blemishes — and wrinkles, too. In fact, between 15 and 35 percent of women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s suffer from breakouts. And those numbers are on the rise.  Doctors attribute this increase to everything from skyrocketing stress levels and hormone fluctuations to today’s carbohydrate-heavy diets.

If you’re tempted to treat your acne with a few old tricks from your teen years, don’t. Adult skin is more sensitive and less resilient than adolescent complexions, and it calls for treatments that also fight the signs of aging. Luckily, many of the best zit zappers out there happen to be top anti-agers, too. So whether your breakouts are an occasional annoyance or a constant struggle, find the updated plan that’s best for you.

GENTLER AT-HOME REGIMENS:

What you did then: Scoured your face every chance you got

 

What you should do now:

• Cleanse no more than twice a day. Since your skin is likely drier than it once was
• *over-washing can remove the surface oils that keep it supple*
•  Look for a cleanser with salicylic acid to break up pore-clogging sebum
•  & if you only face a pimple or two a month, use a mild cleanser and rely on acne creams for treatment.

What you did then: Applied drying masks to soak up oil

What you should do now:

• Focus on exfoliating, not degreasing.

* As we age, skin’s cell turnover slows, and pores can get clogged with dead cells.*

 

 

 

What you did then: Swore off all moisturizers

What you should do now:

 

• Use oil-free lotions to smooth skin and reduce the look of lines.
•  Apply one with sunscreen over your treatment in the morning
• At night, choose retinol to exfoliate skin and soften lines.

Enjoy!

xo M