Most people think of acne as a problem faced only by adolescents and teens.  However, plenty of adults in there 20’s through there 50’s are affected with the occurrence of acne either occasionally or on a regular basis.

Hormones are the most common link to the causes of adult acne.  Increased levels of testosterone and the adrenal hormone, DHEA, have been link to the exacerbation of severe acne.  Testosterone is the male hormone responsible for hair loss in both men and women.

Women in there 20’s and 30’s, sometimes experience premenstrual adult acne.  It is believed this is due to the over-stimulated androgens (hormones that stimulate sebaceous glands and hair follicles in the skin), which cause women’s oil-producing glands to go into overdrive.

Women who are pregnant or going through menopause or post-menopause may also experience an onset of adult acne.  If adult acne coincides with pregnancy, it is crucial that the expectant mother work closely with her physician to obtain appropriate acne treatment.

Another hormonal link to adult acne is estrogen.  Estrogen dominance is a condition where a woman can have deficient, normal, or excessive estrogen, but little or no progesterone to balance its effects in the body. Progesterone is a steroid hormone involved in the female menstrual cycle and pregnancy.  Symptoms of estrogen dominance include breast pain and headaches that might be accompanied by other skin complaints.  The use of progesterone cream in some patients has been found to improve acne caused by estrogen dominance.

Many women diagnosed with adult acne, also have a condition known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or POS. This is a condition that involves the overproduction of male hormones, such as testosterone.

If adult acne is accompanied by changes in the menstrual cycle, fertility complications or weight gain, the acne might be linked to a hormonal imbalance.  Oftentimes, dietary changes which include more vegetables and fewer carbohydrates help control this type of adult acne.  Another factor that can cause adult acne are cosmetics.  Whiteheads, blackheads and pimples can actually be caused by cosmetics. This includes the application of foundation make-up, night creams, and moisturizers composed of vegetable oils or oleic acid.

When I was a teenager my skin was really clear.  Sure, I had a few minor breakouts, but nothing ever that bad.  Then, all of a sudden, at the post-puberty age of 21, something strange started to happen to my skin.  Pimples started to appear in places where they had never previously appeared: my cheeks and the sides of my mouth.

Month after month, my acne got worse, and no matter which cleansers, toners, moisturizers and masks I tried nothing was working. However, I did notice something unusual; every time I got my period my acne went away.

Yes, I had it, female adult onset acne.  So I went on the pill.  After 3 years I went off the pill and guess what, it came back.  This was such a bother; I needed to know why.  Outside of being a nuisance it really made my self-esteem go down the drain.

As you know there are different causes for acne, but the main one is definitely hormonal.  In fact, menstrual activity, puberty, steroids, and several androgen hormones (testosterone and DHEAS, to name a few – so yes, blame it on the males, they’re the ones who perpetuate this) can be linked with acne.

Acne can also have a psychological cause to be found in stress.  If you have hormonal disorders and you are stressed, you can be a really easy target for acne.  Additionally, a high glycemic load diet can also be a cause.  What’s worse is that much of the adult female acne is caused by cosmetics; learn how to read those labels and always get samples!

When you are living with acne it can be tough to think about anything else.  Your life revolves around getting rid of and concealing your pimples.  This can make other areas of your life suffer.  For a few folks their acne is so bad that they decide to stop socializing, they lose interest in friends and family and they become depressed.

THERE IS HOPE!
These days there are so many varieties of treatments for acne.  Best of all, doctors understand more of the causes of acne and ways to properly treat it. So you can get back to the fun things in life.

FIRST, HEAL YOUR PSYCHE.
Many sufferers learn to deal with acne because they have to.  Not only do you have to make the blemishes disappear but you also need to heal your mind from the trauma they created in the first place. Talk with your dermatologist; they will help you on the road to recovery.

SECOND, TACKLE THE PHYSICAL SCARS.
Living with acne once meant that you had to live with the scarring that it causes.  When acne gets severe and goes untreated your skin begins to develop pits and scars. These blemishes never depart and can stay on your face all your life.  These days there are things you can do to prevent and treat scarring; special facial treatments have been developed and special products have been developed to cover acne scars.

THIRD, DEVELOP LIFE-LONG HABITS.
Living with acne will be rough.  It has lasting effects on many people. The most effective method to combat acne is to prevent and control it before it gets severe.  Watch your diet, your water intake and most of all go to bed every night with a washed face.  Control that oil!  A soft exfoliating cleanser will help your skin feel refreshed and clean.

Did you know that what we consume on the inside has a direct effect on the outside? Ever think broccoli would help prevent blemished skin? Or salmon would reduce redness? Check out these beauty foods that help brighten complexions, restore elasticity and defy aging in your 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR 20’s
Skin can experience excessive dryness and may be prone to acne. Protein, Vitamin A and C, Zinc and Omega 3, 6, 9 for reducing inflammation of skin.

EAT: Whole Grains, Fruits & Veggies, Nuts, Fish, Lean Proteins and Green Tea which contain antioxidants that promote cellular DNA and membrane structure and is great for acne.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR 30’s
Photo damage has already occurred and you may see this effect coming out in the skin in the form of sunspots or uneven skin tone.

EAT: All-natural detoxifiers like broccoli, beets and red cabbage help to minimize toxicities that can build up in the bloodstream causing dull, blemished skin.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR 40’s
Skin resilience may begin to deteriorate as collagen is broken down.

EAT: High quality plant proteins and essential fatty acids such as Omega 3 fatty acids found in nuts, seeds and salmon to reduce redness and irritation in the skin.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR 50’s
Hormonal imbalances may cause further breakdown in skin’s resilience and your complexion may become irritated or inflamed.

EAT: Mineral rich foods found in tofu, soy milk/cheese and soybeans contain all natural phytoestrogens that keep skin resilient and slow down the aging process.

Acne. It’s a word that makes most of us cringe. And it’s a condition that can instantly crush one’s self-esteem. But as we look forward to new beauty possibilities in 2011, we find hope for clear skin with Ermis Labs.

And in this company’s new 2-pronged attack on acne, we also discover a special ingredient at the bottom of the sea. It’s sea whip coral, and yes, it plays a key role in the acne treatment program of CoralActives.

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Consumers are always looking for the next best thing…this includes ingredients in beauty products that are rare or make you stand out from the others. And where there is consumer demand, there is demand in the media as well. (Beauty publicists rejoice!)

So what will we see more of in 2011? Whole plant extracts, bamboo, and sea whip to name a few. What trends are you seeing in terms of cosmetic, hair and skin care ingredients?

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