Control acne at any age

Red pimples, whiteheads and other blemishes can ruin your look like nothing else will. Unfortunately, acne does not always subside with age, so women of all ages have to deal with this beauty buster. Learn how acne changes over time and figure out how to treat it with these tips from WebMD and Proactive.

Adult v. Teen Acne

Adult acne appears more commonly on the lower part of the face near the mouth and jawline. Hormones are certainly part of the reason blemishes change as we age, stop and start birth control or become pregnant. Oftentimes, over-the-counter medications are designed for teens with ingredients like salicyclic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Look for products with retinoids, dapsone and combination creams that have both benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics. Birth control pills, oral antibiotics and a blood pressure medication called spironolactone can all help treat it too.

Treatments:

Cleanse with the right wash first

Bacteria, clogged pores and dead skin cells can cause your skin to break out no matter how old you are. Use the right cleanser to help get rid of everything on your face that can cause blemishes. Wash twice a day to remove oils accumulated overnight or dirt and makeup from the day. Cleansing can prevent acne and help get rid of it. Clean skin makes it easier for your medication to be absorbed. Just be sure to avoid cleansers that are too harsh because they may irritate skin, won't necessarily help clear up acne and can cause flare ups.

Look for an face wash that contains salicylic acid, sodium sulfacetamide or benzoyl peroxide. These different compounds work in three different ways to help clear and prevent acne. Salicylic acid clears blocked pores while reducing swelling and redness. Benzoyl peroxide exfoliates the skin and eliminates bacteria. Sodium sulfacetamide prevents bacteria from growing. These can dry out your face, causing rough patches of skin. Look for cleansers that also contain petrolatum, lanolin, mineral oil, glycerin and alpha-hydroxy acids which all work to contain moisture.

Use toner to clarify skin

Adding a toner to your routine will ensure that your skin is completely clean, just in case your cleanser missed something. It also helps balance the pH of your face, which can be helpful when you're using a variety of acne treatments. Use an alcohol-free toner to prevent tightening or drying out of your skin. Also look for glycolic acid in your toner since that medication can help exfoliate dead skin cells and clean out clogged pores beyond your cleanser.

Moisturize without clogging pores

Moisturizing your skin is still important, even if you think oil may be causing your acne problems. Drying out your face will not eliminate blemishes, although this is a side effect of many acne treatments. Be sure to integrate a moisturizer into your routine.

The trick is to use a product that will not clog your pores. Look for the term "non-comedogenic" on the label. Make sure that your moisturizer is oil-free as well.

Reduce redness and whiteheads overnight

If you're looking for some overnight relief, there are concentrated acne treatments you can use to bring down severe breakouts. Look for a high concentration of benzoyl peroxide that can penetrate into pores to kill the bacteria. Allantoin, panthenol and other ingredients in an overnight treatment can help remove excess oil and sooth irritation.

Unfortunately, getting rid of acne at any age could take months or years. The key is to create a skincare routine to treat those blemishes and stick with it. Use a Proactive promotion code to buy everything you need to care for your face.