Nearly everyone has suffered from some form of acne in their lifetime. It’s quite common actually, affecting nearly 50 million people in America alone, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. People in the age range of 12 to 24 are the most affected, but acne can be a problem for people well into their 30s and 40s. While medication may be prescribed by a doctor to treat acne, there are steps you can take yourself to stop acne at the source.
Stress Management
There is a direct correlation between stress and break outs. In 2011, at the American Academy of Dermatology’s Summer Academy, dermatologist and clinical psychologist Richard G. Fried, MD, PhD, FAAD, explained that the chemicals released by nerve endings in the skin can become overactive due to stress. These chemical neuropeptides can create inflammation and induce flareups across the skin. You can improve this condition by getting more sleep, joining a yoga/meditation group, or treating yourself to some good old fashioned fun.
Change Your Diet
The foods you eat have a direct effect on your skin health, but there is no definitive food cure. Research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology concluded that following a low-glycemic, high-protein diet for 12 weeks improved acne. Another study reported in the Journal of Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology pointed to foods that have high-glycemic carbohydrates and fats as being culprits for causing excess oil to be secreted by the skin. So, drink more water and stick with foods that have high levels of antioxidants such as blueberries and tomatoes.
Monitor Your Makeup
In adulthood, women often suffer from acne at a higher frequency than men. One of the reasons that this demographic is so high is because women routinely use makeup that clogs the pores of the skin. Also, oil-based makeups with lanolins and dyes can irritate the skin and provide the right (or wrong) conditions for acne-causing bacteria to grow. Sticking with makeup that is hypoallergenic, mineral-based, or non-comedogenic can reduce the risk of clogging pores or irritating the skin.
