Get Rid Of Your Teenage Acne: Tips That Will Surprise You!

Have you recently turned 13? If so, there’s a 90% chance that you’re experiencing skin breakouts and pimples. But don’t worry! Teenage acne is a common problem, and your skin should shed the problem soon.

It comes almost as no surprise that pimples and acne affect 8 out of 10 teenagers. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, Acne affects 50 million Americans annually.

Acne is a common skin condition. Moreover it is frustrating when your breakouts won’t go away. Luckily, you can follow a few effective tips to get rid of acne problems.

In this blog, you’ll learn surprising truths about teenage acne that will help you better understand why it happens and how to get rid of it.

What is Acne?

Acne commonly starts during the pubertal age when the body produces an abundance of a hormone called androgen. This hormone causes an increase in the production of sebum, which is an oily substance that combines with dead skin cells. It builds up inside hair follicles on our faces, which can clog pores and cause inflammation, commonly known as acne.

Teenage Acne vs. Adult Acne

An influx of androgen hormones causes teenage acne during puberty. Your skin starts to produce more oil and sebum, leading to acne breakout. In contrast, adult acne can be caused by several reasons like genetics, pollution, uneven skin tone, stress, and even hormonal fluctuations.

Acne mostly leaves scars that don’t go away easily, and they increase skin problems. If you face acne scars, you should go for laser treatment. In adults, acne most commonly appears on the chin or jawline, whereas it usually appears on teenagers’ forehead, nose, and cheek.

Stages of Acne

Mild: Less number of papules or pustules, not much painful

Moderate: Occasional Inflamed nodules, numerous pustules, and papules

Severe: Numerous, Inflamed nodules with papules and pustules, painful situation

What Causes Teenage Acne?

Several factors such as hormone changes, family history, and poor hygiene can trigger acne breakout. The following activities can make acne worse:

1.     Weather

It is commonly agreed that hot and humid conditions make acne worse. Hence, there is an overproduction of oil and bacteria in hot weather, which results in skin breakout.

2.     Genetics

One study found that teenagers are more likely to get acne if there is a history of acne in family genetics. But don’t worry, it is also treatable.

3.     Stress

Stress can lead to acne breakouts, primarily due to hormones like cortisol. Since cortisol increases oil production and prompts the skin to produce more sebum, leading to acne.

4.     Hormones

Hormonal acne is usually a result of fluctuations in hormone production during puberty. Androgen hormone is one of the leading causes of teenage acne.

5.     Poor Hygiene

Poor hygiene can cause acne and pimple. Dirty skin is full of bacteria and oil, which can clog the skin’s pores and cause breakouts.

6.     Certain foods and beverages

Eating a diet with high sugar or dairy and drinking alcohol or doing drugs can cause acne. Utilizing more processed food can also lead to skin problems.

7.     Puberty

During puberty, boys and girls undergo chemical and hormonal changes in their bodies, leading to acne.

Things to Know Before Treating Acne

It’s essential to consider the different levels of severity when it comes to teenage acne because each person experiences them differently, and they aren’t always consistent.

Each skin responds differently to medicinal products, so be patient but consistent. It may seem overwhelming at first, but you can easily keep your skin happy and healthy if you keep these top tips in mind.

• The goal of treatment is to fight off acne breakouts, decrease future breakouts and combat the damage already done.
• Successful treatment plans are gradual, take time and need patience.
• By being dedicated to the treatment plan, one can evaluate if the treatment is working or not by observing any changes.
• Don’t pick at your acne. Picking at your blemishes can cause inflammation and may even lead to infection.
• During acne treatment, you should avoid laser hair removal, exfoliating, and waxing.

When to See a Dermatologist

If you have severe acne, especially nodular or cystic acne, it’s best to consult with a dermatologist. A dermatologist is specially trained to treat extensive and challenging skin issues like teenage or adult acne.

Must Read: Thermage vs. Ultherapy: Which is better skin tightening treatment

Treatments Available For Teenage Acne

To save you the hassle and make sure you’re on top of things, we’ve come up with simple ways to take care of your teenage skin.

1.     Cleanser

Try a gentle face wash that contains glycerin, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients will help maintain the skin’s natural oils and keep your skin clean and hydrated.

2.     Benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is available in different concentrations works wonders on the skin by eradicating acne-causing bacteria. At the same time, It clears out excess oil and dead skin cells. Benzoyl peroxide is also capable of unclogging pores that prevent teenage acne.

3.     Adapalene/Differin

Adapalene or Differin is a mild topical retinoid cream that reduces the presence of acne on your skin. Reducing inflammation and unclogging pores from the inside out is the primary purpose of adapalene.

Product containing Adapalene though more commonly prescribed for more severe cases of acne in the past. But it can also work for less severe cases by penetrating deep into pores with its potent vitamin A derivative.

4.     Salicylic acid

Using salicylic and glycolic acid on your face can help unclog pores. Salicylic acid comes with a gentle cleanser that minimizes the appearance of acne and prevents breakouts before they happen.

5.     Vitamins

One study surveyed patients with acne and those without, looking for zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin E levels. They found that the acne sufferers had significantly lower levels of these nutrients than those who did not suffer from acne.

Researchers concluded that a diet rich in these nutrients might prevent or treat acne, so make sure to have a well-balanced diet.

When considering taking specific supplements or vitamins, you should consult with your dermatologist since they can help you determine the proper dosage.

6.     Moisturizer with SPF

Wearing sunscreen is essential for preventing sunburns. Acne-prone skin is sensitive to the sun, and skincare treatments can also make skin more prone to getting sunburned.

Sunburns lead to wrinkles and skin cancer, so wearing a good SPF (sun protector factor) sunscreen every day is helpful in extending and preserving your youthful looks.

Some of the newer mineral sunscreens are oil-free and non-comedogenic products, perfect for acne-prone skin.

7.     Topical anti-inflammatory

Products like hydrocortisone may help reduce the symptoms of redness and inflammation associated with teenage acne, but they do not work to treat the causes of acne.

8.     Retinoid

At night, I recommend retinoids such as Retin-A followed by applying a hyaluronic acid serum to moisture the skin. The combination of gentle exfoliation and the retinoid both contribute to a successful formula for acne prevention.

9.     Oral antibiotics

Typically the medications prescribed are in the tetracycline or macrolide family. Doxycycline from the tetracycline group and azithromycin from the macrolide group is mainly prescribed.

Best Products for Managing Teenage Acne

1.     Toner

Most traditional astringent toners include drying alcohol and can strip the skin of its protective barrier, causing more harm than good.

Instead, try a hydrating, oil-free toner as an alternative that has antibacterial properties to balance the skin’s natural pH. Try one of the following proven toners.

• THAYERS Alcohol-Free Facial Toner with Aloe Vera Formula
• Proactiv Hydrating Facial Toner for Sensitive Skin

2.     Cleanser

I recommend exfoliating or oil-absorbing cleansers. Here is the dermatologist’s recommended Cleanser.

• CeraVe SA Cleanser | Salicylic Acid Face Wash
• Neutrogena Oil-Free Facial Cleanser for Acne Prone Skin

3.     Moisturizer

If one’s skin is already oily, they want to cut out moisturizers to save themselves the hassle of dealing with any overproduction of oil.

However, dehydration can be just as bad as or even worse than oily skin because it can force one’s skin to produce even more oils and sebum.

Opting for a light, oil-free moisturizer is what you need here.

• Cetaphil Gentle Face Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin
• Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Facial Moisturizer for Acne Prone Skin

4.     Vitamin C Serum

Using a vitamin C serum under your sunscreen can provide great antioxidant benefits to combat UV damage. In addition, vitamin C serums effectively avoid teenage acne and can help prevent it from getting any worse. Following are the dermatologist’s recommended Vitamin C serum.

• Vitamin C Serum for Face | Best for Face Acne
• Vitamin C Serum Premium Professional Grade with Vitamin E

5.     Masks

Masks can be great for teenagers to help them manage their acne. They are helpful because of their hydrating and antibacterial properties. Masks can regulate oily skin and congested pores.

To make the most out of your mask, try using it regularly with tea tree oil known for its ability to have anti-inflammatory properties and soothe rashes. You can use one of the following masks.

• Boscia Luminizing Face Mask | Activated Charcoal and Vitamin C
• Crème Natural Face Mask | Hydrating and Deep Cleansing

Follow These General But Effective Tips to Prevent Acne

• Maintain a proper skincare routine
• Choose quality skin products
• Use a good cleanser
• Moisturize your skin
• Avoid using bar soap
• Wash your pillowcases every week
• Protect your skin from sunburn
• Don’t touch your acne frequently
• Use quality makeup product
• Wash your makeup before bed
• Use lukewarm water
• Don’t pick the acne
• Follow a balanced diet
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle
• Manage your stress

It is noted that most people face the problem of acne during their puberty. It is essential to treat acne in teenagers since it can severely impact their self-esteem and confidence.

I hope that you find this blog useful and informative. With this knowledge, undoubtedly you can understand why teenage acne happens and how to get rid of it.

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