How to Clear Up Adult Acne

If you suffer from adult acne, your need a different approach to clear it up than a teenager would use. Most adults have acne because their skin does not shed the top layer as fast as it should, so the oil, dirt and bacteria get trapped underneath this layer. Extra oil is not the problem; the layer of dead skin on top is.

The following suggestions have been proven to effectively clear up acne, blackheads, whiteheads, and also make the skin much more vibrant and youthful. If you follow this routine, you will be amazed at the results. The trick is to stick with the program, since there are no such thing as immediate results...the skin takes 4-6 weeks to go through an entire "cycle" and it will take that much time to see the results you desire.

The "power-combo" of this acne fighting routine is microdermabrasion and Retin-A (or Renova, a milder form). Most places require a prescription for RetinA/Renova, but if you have acne then chances are the dermatologist will give you one. microdermabrasion is a mix of aluminum oxide crystals (tiny, perfectly round beads that feel like sand) and a fluid base. You can have microdermabrasion performed at a salon by a machine, which is extremely expensive. The machine blasts the skin with the mixture at high pressure then vacuumed away by a suction device. You can also buy microdermabrasion cream, which you apply manually to your face and scrub for 1-3 minutes. You can purchase it at most any cosmetic counter. You can get almost the same results as by using a machine but it takes double the time. Another great alternative is to make your own microdermabrasion mix: instructions can be found in my article, "How to Make Microdermabrasion at Home." You will need these two products (RetinA and microdermabrasion cream) to get started with this routine, as follows:

Cleanse morning and night with a gentle cleanser. Your cleanser's job is NOT to get rid of acne...it works at such a surface level, it's impossible to do so. If you use a harsh cleanser, all you accomplish is the over-stimulation of your oil glands which causes your pores to produce even more oil. Get a gentle cleanser such as Oil of Olay, Cetaphil, or anything else for normal skin, not the kind for acne or oily skin.

Each evening, use the RetinA/Renova as prescribed by your dermatologist. Try not to miss a dose as consistency is the key with this product. Put on eye cream but don't use moisturizer on the rest of your face unless it feels uncomfortably dry.

Each morning after you cleanse your face, give it a very light scrub with a damp cloth to remove the dead skin that has come off during the night. Put on a thin layer of moisturizer that includes SPF. Again, remember that oil is not the enemy, but dead skin is. It is good to use an anti-aging moisturizer since it also helps to keep dead skin from building up. Choose a moisturizer that sinks into the skin quickly rather than leaving a film on top.

Wait at least ten minutes to let your moisturizer absorb, then blot your entire face with oil blotting papers. This takes off the excess oil and moisturizer that is remaining on the skin, and keeps you shine free for hours. Keep a few with you to use during the day.

Wear as little makeup as you can, since your goal is to open your pores, not clog them. Color-free powders made of natural ingredients are great, such as Cornsilk loose powder.

Last but not least, be sure to use your microdermabrasion scrub once a week or at least once every two weeks. This will remove all of the dead skin that is sticking to the surface of your face and also get down into your pores to open them up. As with the RetinA, consistency is key if you want to see great results. Follow the direction on the package, but typically you use a quarter-size amount and gently rub it over your face for 1-3 minutes. If you have sensitive skin, you might want to skip using Retin-A on the day that you use microdermabrasion scrub.

If you get a pimple and it "pops," it's much better to use a little bit of anti-biotic cream rather than an acne cream. Acne cream only makes the top of your skin flaky and crusty, and does not prevent it from becoming swollen, red and infected nearly as well an anti-biotic cream.

Some things NOT to use while on this routine are:

Alcohol based toners

Acne creams

Harsh face masks

Products containing AHAs (fruit acids)

Harsh cleansers that dry out your skin

All of these products will be detrimental since they will cause your skin to over-react and produce more oil than normal. Also, your skin will be much more sensitive due to the Retin-A so using anything harsh could possible damage your skin, not to mention make it look terrible...it will cause dry, red, flaky patches, scabbing, and excessive oil.

The reason most skin regimens fail is because people get lazy or impatient and quit before it's had time to produce results. So stick to the program, and in as little as a month you can have the perfect, healthy skin you've been dreaming of!