grrr.... acne

I am having a bad breakout right now, most likely stress (finals) related b/c totm shouldn't be coming for another two and a half weeks and my diet has very healthy/nongreasy as of late. anyway, this made me wonder: At what age does one generally stop getting breakouts? I never really thought about this before but I am def not a teenager anymore so shouldn't i stop getting acne soon? For those older than me, when did you stop getting acne?

(Or if anyone else wants to share their acne frustrations feel free...)

I have never had acne, but try proactive?

I def share your frustrations right now also! Same reason too, stress!(Because of finals also!), That, and I guess loads of theater makeup I have to wear for the Wizard of Oz performances.

Something I've learned though, is don't cup your face in your hands when you feel "overwhelmed" with something, wash your hands a little bit more than frequently, and I personally change my pillowcase every day, just before bed. I found that these little changes helped me alot. (Now I just can't wait till the Play is over so i can fully clear my face of that awful stage makeup!)

Hope this helps!

I second the changing of pillowcases, I change mine every other day.  I also use a clean towel everyday to pat my face dry after washing.

Drink 2 liters of water per day, it really does help.  And don't touch your face.

I'm 38 and I have days where my face is 95% clear and other days where I don't want to leave the house because of so many pimples.  Stress is a HUGE factor.  Google acne stress and you'd be amazed at the studies they have done.

Also use good "clean" skin care products.  And sunscreen!

thanks for the advice! redkitty I am just like you I generally have pretty clear skin there are just those days when it decides to rebel. thank god for makeup!

the pillowcase thing is a great tip. I've never heard it before but I just changed my pillowcases so we'll see how it works! I already drink lots of water but I do touch my face a lot unfortunately. 

i was hoping to have someone tell me that acne goes away after a certain age but it sounds like that is not the case. oh well...

 

I'm 34, but had acne pretty bad through highschool.  Once I hit college, it tapered, but I still got some pretty bad breakouts. 

It wasn't until I hit about 30 that my face changed entirely.  I still have the dry "T" zone, but only break out *maybe* with a pimple or (on a rare occasion) two the week before my period.  Other than that, my skin is pretty clear...but it took a long time. 

I was also about 29-30 when I stopped eating fast food all together.  I won't touch a fast food product (including sodas, waters or salads purchased from fast food restaurants).  So...I don't know if that had anything to do with it.  It's possible I guess. 

If I get a pimple now...I usually dab it with alcohol in the evening when I notice it and the next morning and it tends to go away within 24 hours.   

I am 26 and there are no signs of it going away.  And Proactive works really good for six months, but that is it.  Proactive only takes care of the surface of your skin.  Six months later the same old stuff comes up again.

I had horrible acne from 12-15. I frequently needed to get injections in my face, chest, and shoulders to get rid of the cysts. When I was 15, I finally had no choice but to take Accutane. It haven't had a real breakout since.

I had really bad acne in high school, but I have to admit a lot of it was due to very poor skin care on my part.  Now I'm 36, but I still get the occasional breakout, usually around my period.  And, (this not a suggestion), it completely went away during my 2 pregnancies - my skin was freakin' perfect and gorgeous for those 18 months.  Went back to normal pretty soon afterwards, though.

I wouldn't go the proactive route, simply because of expense.  Neutrogena now has a "3 step system" available at pharamacies like Walgreens, and it's much more affordable. 

For myself now, I use an antibacterial soap, then an exfoliating BPO wash, followed by Neutrogena pore refining toner.  However, the biggest difference in my skin occurred when I stopped using liquid makeup and went to all mineral powder makeup.  It's so much more sheer, lasts longer, and doesn't clog up your pores like even some "skin clearing" foundations can.  I also dab tea tree oil on emerging blemishes, and it clears them up within a day.

In addition to the towel and pillow case tips, be sure to watch telephone receivers.  Seriously.  Think about how close they get to your chin, and most of the time touch it.  I make a point of cleaning my office, cell, and home phones on a  regular basis because of this.

Above all, find a way to reduce your stress (exercise is good, and it makes you sweat, which is great for your pores), and get enough sleep.  (Not that easy of a task, as I remember from finals, but it does make a difference.)

I'm about your age and can definitely relate. Like dm84 I had terrible acne from about 13-15, tried every cream and pill (although never cortisone), and finally went on Accutane. My skin was crystal clear for a year and then it started coming back, although much less than before. I went on Accutane again at 17, with less dramatic success but my acne had pretty much calmed down by the end of the second run. For years I've never touched my face, changed pillowcases often, I don't eat junk food, drink tons of water, and exercise which I'm sure all helps but I really think its mostly genetic. Neither of my parents had bad acne, though... but my brother did and he took the Accutane route once as well.

Now I only break out a little bit before TTOM, midterms and finals. Birth control pills help a lot, and I also take Nicomide which I don't know if I'd recommend... it's basically a bunch of vitamins that isn't covered by my insurance so its like $75/month.

It's not uncommon for people in their 20s and 30s to get pimples, unfortunately. My mom, in her 50s, gets one now and then and its pretty weird!

Wow so I guess it really is a myth that acne is just an issue for teenagers! My brother takes proactive but i really don't consider my occasional pimples that big of an issue to need prescription medicine. I think just taking a little better care of myself and reducing stress should hopefully help the health of my skin. I realized that I actually have been getting less sleep this past week, I will make an extra effort to get to bed early tonight!

Santonacci- i lol'ed about the pregnancy comment. i never realized that getting knocked up could be a solution to acne!

tatjanaturtle- congratulations that is so commendable that you stopped eating junk food. i agree that the acne may have had something to do with that.

I really appreciate everyone sharing their acne frustrations it's nice just to be reminded that it is something a lot of people deal with especially in times of stress. One thing personally I am never sure about is whether you should wash your face twice a day or only wash it only with soap and then once with water. Since they say that washing it too much can dry it out, causing it to produce even more oil, I'm never sure if I am washing my face too much, not enough or what.

oh and while i am at it the thing i hate the most are the zits that HURT. it's like adding insult to injury not only is it super ugly but super painful. what a nightmare lol.

As for a washing routine, I think it's just a matter of finding what works for your skin. If it feels really dry after washing, maybe use a tiny bit of moisturizer (it makes me break out without fail, but lots of people swear by the stuff)... or get a different cleanser. I would only use soap that is designated "facial". Hand soap is a bit harsh.

In the mornings I use a gentle scrub and cleanser, and in the evening sometimes I do nothing, sometimes I use the cleanser again. I'm in Southern California so the air is very dry, and despite being naturally oily my skin is pretty dry here but I can tolerate it. I'd recommend avoiding things scented, as well as anything brand-name (Clean and Clear, Clearasil, etc), but that's just my opinion. The less ingredients in it (and the more that are recognizable/pronounceable), the better. I use EarthScience products right now; I also like Burts Bees. Cetaphil is also really nice; Walgreens makes a "generic" version that's much cheaper and exactly the same.

I never had a pimple through my teen years, but then at 28 I started getting adult onset acne. I refuse to go to a dermatologist so they can give me a cream that will make my face look like a desert! Instead, I am using other methods that are really keeping my skin looking good.

First, I am taking a multi vitamin and supplements designed for clear skin.  They have similar ingredients to those you would find in the detoxifying and cleansing programs. It sounds like a bunch of garbage, but they do work. I even turned  a friend with acne on to them and she swears by them to. They are called Skin Factors and you can get them at vitamincottage.com. Plus, they are reasonably priced- about 10 smackers for a month supply.

Also, I cut way down on the sweets. Not only do I stay within my calories, but my face looks better when a stay away from sugar.

Lastly, bergamot is said to be good for acne.  So, I drink a cup of earl grey tea every morning. I'm not sure if that helps, but it is tasty, has a little caffeine and is packed with antioxidants since its base is black tea.  Of course, it has no calories either!

Good luck!

I'm sorry to say this, but acne runs in my family, and my mom is 43... and still has breakouts.

I had cystic acne on my back, shoulders, neck, armpits, and a few other places, and I did Accutane for about four months, which brought it from disgusting and painful to a little gross and kind of annoying.  Accutane made me really edgy, though, so that's why I quit before I was really done.

Accutane is expensive, has annoying side effects, you have to get blood tests every month, and, since you're a girl, you'll have to undergo a pregnancy test once a month as well.  But, it works.

I had little to no acne until i got to college. I blame hard water, ridiculously cold weather, dorm food, dorm germs, and stress.

Things that have helped lessen bouts of acne:
- Changing pillowcases every 2 days.
- Taking fewer showers/washing my face with just water.
- Drinking lots of water (Brita pitchers are awesome!
- Going to the gym.
- Wearing more layers/covering my face with a scarf.
- clay masks
- Using Green Tea teabags as an astringent makes pimples go away faster

Everyone is different, but I like to use witchhazel as a make up remover and skin cleanser at night and then follow it with a very light facial moisturizer (different eye moisturizer).  If your skin is freakishly sensitive you can dilute it with water.  In the morning I take a shower and cleanse my face with a moisturizing facial cleanser and then follow it with a facial moisturizer that has an SPF, again a special moisturizer for the eye area.  If I have a breakout, after putting on the moisturizer and letting it absorb into the skin I apply Boscia Willowbark spot treatment and let it dry before putting on make up.  I use a mineral powder make up which does not irritate my face or make me feel like I have a lot of make up on.

I talked to my doctor about getting a prescription for dioxycyclene? which a friend of mine swears by, but my doctor felt that the increase chances of a yeast infection were not a worthwhile trade off for occasional acne. 

My mom had acne until she gave birth to me at the age of 43.

I don't really have acne, just blocked pores. And sadly not just on my face, but rather.. most of my body.. They occur on thighs (I first thought it was because of shaving.. but figured out it wasn't, although it irritates my skin a lot, so I don't shave my thighs unless it's critical and summer), arms, belly..

It doesn't matter, which product I clean my skin with (I can't use my face cleanser on my thighs or the skin would get sore), how often I make myself a peeling or what I eat.

Luckily they aren't very visible, just the skin isn't as soft as I would want.

I discovered a very good natural face cream from Lush and the skin is way softer and smoother in areas where I use it. It's still not clean, though. The thing a dermatologist perscrobed me (Skinoren) made my skin very itchy and it became brown and peeled off and hurt, so I can only use it on my back during PMS.

I guess the good thing about oily skin is that it gets older slowlier ;)

BAD acne runs in my family--both my parents had terrible cases.

i've completely avoided it by washing my face with warm water (dries out your face more, i compensate by moisturizing my drier spots) and diligently using a retinol cream called differin. i swear to god it's amazing. any zit i happen to get disappears within like 2 days. it's better than salycilic (or however tf it's spelled) acid and benzoyl peroxide because it doesn't just dry your zit, it actually removes whatever's clogging your pores. it's prescription though.

I've never had that much of a problem, but lately had an outbreak and I'm 42. Right now I have three nasty zits on my face. Yuck. I realized the culprit: I'd run out of antibacterial soap and had been using oatmeal soap for the last couple of weeks instead.

As others said, you have to find out what works for your skin: what has always worked for me is washing my face once a day with antibacterial soap, using Oil of Olay moisturizer afterwards, then avoiding touching my face. Yes antibacterial soap is drying... but it kills bacteria that causes zits. I like Lever 2000 because it's not quite as drying as other brands.

I have also found in the past that I can have problems with certain conditioners or other hair products, if they are too heavy they end up dripping off my hair and on to my skin!

I have noticed I will get a beakout if I don't drink enough water.

I never had acne (save for an occassional small break out during my period) as a teen, but as an adult I have had problems with acne. Ive used lots of different things but the only thing that has cleared my face up is something my new doc prescribed called clindamycin, which is an antibiotic, in a topical form. I use an over the counter face wash with benzoyl peroxide, followed by one of the clindamycin wipes twice a day. Since July I have not had any major breakouts or any of the painful cystic acne I used to get. Its the only thing that has worked for me for more than a month or 2.