By Eleanor Reader
After leaving bumpy skin and breakouts behind in your teens, it can come as a shock when your skin suddenly breaks out in acne as an adult. The change of season, hot weather, hormones and stress can all be the factors behind adult acne. Here are some fantastic new treatments and products to repair and prevent adult acne.
Clearasil Ultra Overnight Wash
Working
continuously through the night to fight pimples, this acne treatment
from the pimple professionals, Clearasil, has a creamy texture that
washes away dirt, oil and bacteria so the skin can heal.
Best for: Those looking for an affordable acne-fighting product.
RRP $13.99. Available from supermarkets and pharmacies nationally.
Ultraceuticals Ultra Clear Purifying Mask
The hero ingredient of this new range from Ultraceuticals is Clove Oil, a powerful antioxidant which helps stop the development of acne before there is an actual breakout. This fantastic treatment mask draws all the acne-causing impurities from the skin to heal existing acne and more importantly, prevent it from reoccurring.
Best for: Preventing future breakouts.
RRP $59. Available mid-November from leading salons and David Jones.
The creator of Ultraceuticals, Dr Geoffrey Heber, talked to Rescu. about how to recognise and treat adult acne.
RESCU: What is the difference between acne and the occasional pimple?
Dr Geoffrey Heber: Acne is categorised into different grades depending upon the type, number and location of the lesions and the presence of scarring. The occasional pimple is symptomatic of the mildest grade of acne. People with the occasional pimple have seen or felt little bumps in the skin, of which they are often unaware. Some of these bumps turn into pimples.
RESCU: Why do some people suffer from acne as adults?
Dr Geoffrey Heber: Adult acne affects 25% of all adult men and 50% of adult women at some time in their adult lives. Although the causes of adult acne are unknown, possible causes include stress and hormone changes. Women in particular often experience premenstrual flares, often around the mouth and chin area.
RESCU: What is the best way to treat acne?
Dr Geoffrey Heber: Products which include antioxidants, to treat the inflammation of pores and salicylic acid and vitamin A, to break down antibacterial agents. If acne is severe with cysts, nodules or scarring, medical advice should be sought.
Omnilux clear-U™
You’ve probably never seen a take-home acne treatment like this before. This fantastic creation from Omnilux floods the skin with blue and red light to kill the bacteria that causes acne. It is an extremely effective way of banishing your breakouts quickly so you can enjoy clear, perfect skin over summer.
Best for: If you have reoccurring acne that wont budge and have tried and tried other topical products that just won’t work.
RRP $690. Call 1800 808 993 for stocklists.
Danné Montague-King Acu Creme
Containing a small amount of the well known acne-healer, retinol, this cream works to remove dead cells that build up and block the skin. This non-oily moisturiser is packed with nourishing and detoxifying ingredients to prevent and heal your pimples.
Best for: People with extra oily skin or people who have a high cell turnover which blocks up pores.
RRP $73. Call 1300 00 SKIN for stocklists.
Puretopia Rinse Away Purifying Fresh Face Cleansing Gel
Puretopia cleansers are gentle and soap-free, making them perfect for acne prone skin. Cleansing is so important if you want your acne to heal and never reoccur. Using aloe vera and pro vitamin B5 to calm and moisturise, your skin will remain vibrant, healthy and acne free.
Best for: A gentle daily cleanser that won’t aggravate your skin and inflame your acne.
RRP $16.95. Call 02 8709 8800 for stocklists.
Kora Organics Blemish Gel
Designed to target each individual pimple, this simple gel uses a powerful blend of botanicals to banish acne the natural way. It is a quick and effective way to treat your acne and if you favour organic products this is definitely the one to use.
Best for: If you want an all-natural product to treat your acne and if you have a few individual spots of acne on your back or face that you would like to treat directly.
RRP $39.50. Available from David Jones.
Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Body Spray
If you suffer from acne on your back and shoulders, it can be hard to know what products to use and how to reach back there to treat the blemishes. Using this medicated spray from Clinique, the 360-degree nozzle finds hard-to-reach places, effectively reduces oil and decreases redness.
Best for: Acne which appears on your back, chest and shoulders.
Call 1800 556 948 for stocklists.
Revlon New Complexion Oil-Control Makeup
We’ve all been too lazy to take our make up off after a big night out and noticed to state of our skin the next morning. Foundation is a must-have for most of us, but it is also the main culprit when it comes to clogged pores and breakouts if it isn’t removed properly. Revlon’s new foundation absorbs oil and prevents shininess so pores remain unclogged throughout the day and night.
Best for: If you have oily skin that causes breakouts around your mouth, chin, forehead and neck.
RRP $24.95. Call 1800 025 488 for stocklists.
Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub
This facial scrub uses exfoliating micro beads which are gentle enough to use daily and effective enough to unclog pores. This is a great product to really cleanse away the dirt and dead skin cells that cause acne and pimples without drying out your skin.
Best for: Gently exfoliating away the impurities which clog pores and cause acne.
RRP $14.99. Available leading supermarkets, variety stores and pharmacies nationally.
