My Solution for Adult Acne

Acne is something most deal with as teenagers, but there's also a group of people who seem to have the bad luck of encountering skin issues after they've reached adulthood. I had great skin during high school and then mid way through college I got hit with a bad case of acne that would not go away. I tried several products from specialty stores. I ran up my credit cards buying from infomercials and nothing seemed to work. After a lot of trial and error, I finally found a combination that worked for me. I started a routine that consisted of a cleanser, astringent, then moisturizer that I was able to get at my local drug store. I used them twice daily and a few days into it, I noticed my skin clearing. The whiteheads were disappearing and I was thrilled. It took about two weeks for everything to clear up, and some dark spots from a few years of abuse took a little longer to disapate. I thought I would share my "recipe" and hopefully help those of you struggling with this too.

I start with Soap Bark and Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream by Burt's Bees. Be sure to use a clean cloth every time you wash your face to prevent any bacteria from transferring. As an astringent, I found that natural Witch hazel works wonders. My grandmother used it and passed the secret on to me. It smells a little funny when applying it, but it doesn't leave a smell behind once it evaporates. Apply this with clean cotton balls or cotton pads. Witch hazel is usually available near the skin care products in CVS, Walgreens, etc.

Finally, the tricky part... moisturizer. I've had success with different kinds and I have found that you may need to change with the seasons to accomadate your skin. For me, a light moisturizer with a sunscreen like Dove's Daily Facial Moisturizer is perfect for summer. During winter months, when my skin can be much drier, I opt for a heavier moisturizer like Burt's Bees Marshmallow Vanishing Creme.

Taking some extra precautions could help speed up the process. Always pull back hair at night to avoid oils relocating to your forehead and cheeks. Stop touching your face! I was the worst for picking and obsessing over every inch of it, and really it just created more problems. The most important aspect of skin care is definitely consistency. Find something that works for you and stick to it. Clear skin can be a reality for you.