I mentioned briefly in my last post about acne and how different it can be for teenagers and adults. I can’t stress how important this is. If you’re an adult and you suffer from acne, please don’t attempt to treat your acne in the same way that you did when you were a teenager. Also please shut your eyes when you see an advertisement on TV or on the Internet about miracle acne topical creams, lotions and potions that are supposed to be for teenagers.
The fact is, if you’re over 25 and you suffer from moderate to severe acne, then you’ll either have a large amount of stress in your life, or some kind of hormonal imbalance from pregnancy, or going on or off the pill. To properly fix your acne, you will need to fix the cause of the problem. This means, removing the stress from your life or balancing your hormones through diet and natural supplements.
Topicals that are designed for teenagers will just dry out your skin, cause premature aging, and in fact make your skin worse when you decide to stop using them.
I tried two different Benzoyl Peroxide treatments which are supposed to be the ‘gold’ of acne treatments (one of these was the well known Proactiv). Not only did these products dry my skin out, but they also gave me cystic acne. Yes, my skin did improve by 95%, but as soon as I was fed up with having dry itchy skin and stopped using it, my acne came back with vengeance, even when I was sticking to an uber healthy diet and practicing daily yoga and meditation. I really believe that these harsh chemicals played havoc on the natural oil balance of my skin and the dry skin blocked my pores and made me break out with whiteheads and pimples. Two weeks after stopping the use of Benzoyl Peroxide, I counted ten cysts on my face. That’s a lot of nasty yucky cysts.
If you’re an adult and you suffer from acne, I strongly advise you to adopt a healthy lifestyle first, before you try anything else. Start to eat really healthy, exercise, meditate and try and relax and de stress as much as you can. If this doesn’t work for a period of three months (this is often how long it takes to notice change in your skin), then go and visit a naturopath. Ask your friends and family and find a really good one, it’s best to go with a naturopath that’s been recommended by someone. The naturopath should be able to give you natural supplements that will help fix the cause of the problem. If after an additional three months there is still no change, then go to the doctor.
Listen to all the choices the doctor gives you but whatever you do, do not take accutane. Accutane has horrible side affects including suicidal thoughts, which is just not worth it. The pill and antibiotics are two medications that are commonly taken for acne which don’t have the same serious side affects as accutane.
Why leave the doctor and medications as a last resort?
Because in most cases, acne can be treated holistically. The natural way is always the better way because it’s the healthiest and the most long term. If you can fix your acne through diet and relaxation, then you are not putting any chemicals into your body, nor are you interfering with your bodies natural processes in the same way that antibiotics and the pill can.
If you have any questions about any of this, please leave me a comment. I know how horrible adult acne can be. I’ve spent literally hours researching to try and fix my own problem skin and have tried a heap of different natural remedies and topical gels, so I have a fairly good idea as to what does and doesn’t work.
Fran
Fran Kerr is the founding editor of High on Health. To cure your acne, sign up to Fran's FREE acne cure mini-course or download her latest how to guide, Eat Away Your Acne.
15 responses ↓
hi fran, I’m so glad I’ve just read this. I have been on and off anti biotics and the pill for 15 years and only just decided to stop everything 2 months ago. My skin is terrible at the moment but I’m going to keep up my really healthy diet, exercise and yoga. I’m 28 now and decided to stop all medication, including topical treatments when my dermatologist wanted to put me on roaccutane, I realised I was getting nowhere with the way I was dealing with my acne and it was just getting worse! I haven’t seen any improvement yet but I think it’s going to take a while for my skin to get used to coping by itself. I think the natural way is definitely the best way and I just wish I’d realised this earlier …
Gemma
Hi Gemma,
That’s great you’ve decided to go the natural way. It does take a little longer but the results will be long term.
How bad is your acne, and what diet are you following?
Fran
Thank you for your informative articles. I hope they help young (and older!) people out there who struggle with problem skin.
I suffered from acne problems for a number of years. I understand the hardship that people go through. Acne can really affect a person in many ways. I appreciate that you are advocating natural remedies for problem skin. If we are able to fight acne and problem skin naturally through holistic methods, we are hopefully able to get to the root of the problem and not just fight the effects of some unknown problem or imbalance we are experiencing.
I tried numerous methods over the years to rid myself of acne, I used creams such as you mentioned prescriptive and nonprescriptive, natural skin care, diet changes, exercise, retin-A, antibiotics, allergy testing, naturopathy, the pill and others. I tried them all and each one failed. And then I reluctantly tried Roccutane…and it worked. It worked so well that I was a different person. After years of trying every possible (well almost) remedy I could imagine, I tried what I thought was a last resort. After a few months my skin had cleared. I still get pimples now and then (I’m 30) but compared to before, I don’t even notice. My friend going through a similar though not as serious problem tried it finally at 28 and it completely cleared her skin.
Thank you for your wonderful website. I would however assess whether or not to tell people to NOT USE roccutane as opposed to warning people to CAREFULLY assess/ be aware of possible side-effects and whether it’s worth it for them . Yes, it has a multitude of possible side-effects (I experienced none except dry lips and skin), but if taken under medical supervision, and after trying to naturally fight the problem first, it can be the answer for some people with debilitating/ very bad/serious acne.
Hi Fran,
I think my acne is the worst it’s ever been but hard to tell you exactly how bad, but basically I can’t go out without makeup on, it’s pretty bad on my chin, cheeks and jawline, either lumps, spots or red scaring . . . not good. I’ve been reading ‘The Clear Skin Diet’ so basically just eating really healthily i.e. low gi, but I have also cut out dairy for just over a month now to see if that has an impact. I’ve also stopped drinking alcohol completely for at least the month of January. I eat loads of fish and limit my red meat etc. I so want this to work!
I’m so glad I found this website too, it’s got loads of brilliant articles/tips/advice etc! I’m reading a little bit everyday.
Gemma
Hi Suz,
This is true, and thanks for bringing this up. For some cases of very severe acne, where everything else has been tried - then roaccutane is probably the answer. I just get worried that roaccutane is prescribed too early. I’m glad that it helped you and your friend, and that you had no serious side effects.
And congratulations on now having clear skin
Wow Gemma, you sound just like me.
Is that the book from Karen Jessett? I have that one too, it’s quite good. I think it would fix PMT acne really well without the use of supplements.
Having acne in the areas you described means its hormonal, so you want to make sure you balance your hormones out. Diet (especially low GI) foods will help a lot, but you may also need natural supplements to compliment your diet.
I used to control my PMT acne through evening primrose oil, fish oil, and a supplement called ‘premular’ which includes Vitex Agnus-Castus. At the beginning of last year however, when I experienced a lot of stress from my breakup, those same supplements didn’t work, nor did the diet. The only thing that would clear up my acne naturally, is to get rid of the problem, or get over the break up really! The acne was just a symptom of my heart break. So taking care of myself and doing a lot of yoga and heart meditation is more important for my skin healing then the diet and supplements.
Have you seen a naturopath before? Do you think your acne is due to fluctuating hormones from PMT or is there a big stress in your life? If you’ve recently gone off the pill that could cause the acne too.
fran
Hi Fran,
My dermatologist tested my hormone levels and said they were fine . . . although tempted to get a second opinion. I really want to go and see a naturopath but don’t really know where to start to find a good one, do you have any advice? My skin is still bad even though I haven’t eaten anything bad for 1 1/2 months now. I just don’t know whether I’m using the right cleanser or moisteriser either (I’m using a moisteriser at the moment because my skin went lumpy and bright red for ages and is now so dry).
Thanks for your replies
Gemma
Hi Gemma,
With acne there are different types of hormones. Your dermatologist was probably testing for excess androgens which are the male sex hormones. Androgens increase if you have a condition like PCOS which can cause acne, so it sounds like you don’t have that.
The hormone cortisol can also cause acne, this is the stress hormone and what I believe is my problem. I don’t think they test for that one. Cortisol stays in your body for longer the older you get, which is why stress is not as much of a cause of acne in teenagers as it is in adults.
I find that the diet does take a while, but you should have seen some changes by now, so you might need to tackle the problem from another angle. It all depends on why you get your acne. For example:
* Have you recently gone off the pill? That can be the cause of bad acne. If that’s the case then I’d advise that you continue to eat well and give it the full three months to allow your body to let itself return to its normal hormone levels.
* Is there any big stress in your life? Or even constant stress? If there is, then the stress will be the cause. In the last week I’ve been doing a 30 minute meditation before I go to bed, and it’s amazing how much difference it’s made, my skin has been clearing up.
Stress is the most annoying cause of acne, because in a way it’s the hardest to get rid of! When you tell yourself to relax often you’ll do the opposite. The good thing about stress though, is I find that the diet is less important for the acne cure. So you’re better off doing meditation every day than being so picky about what you eat. I was SO incredibly particular about what I ate for at least 3 months, and it helped but not a lot. As soon as I started to meditate and try and relax, and stopped caring so much about what I ate, the acne started to get better. Having said that, I’m a vegetarian and love whole foods and brown rice so I’m kind of healthy anyway! It’s just the sugar that’s my weakness so I’ve relaxed on that a little.
Last period I had REALLY bad PMT which lasted for two weeks. I’ve realized that the stress must have caused this really bad PMT so I’m on a mission to minimize my stress, and therefore the PMT and the acne. I was so depressed and for the whole 2 weeks and had a really bad breakout.
As for a naturopath, if none of your friends or family knows of a good one, then do a search on the net for one in your area. They will be able to advise you of the right supplements to take. I see a Chinese herbalist which is okay. He gave me some little tablets and herbs which helped the acne a little. The supplements I take which I’ve found to be really useful are:
- 4 capsules of maca powder (for hormone balancing)
- Premular, which has the active ingredient vitex agnus-castus (so I don’t get the bad PMT again)
- 3 capsules of fish oil
- 3 capsules of evening primrose oil
- st john’s wort up to 3 times a day (this is a good one to keep you happy)
It sounds like a lot but for now it seems to be working.
As for cleansers and moisturizers-
I’d strongly advise you to try the oil cleansing method (OCM), especially if you have dry skin (so do I). I was scared to put the oil on my face at the start but it’s been really good for my skin. A lot of cleansers and moisturizers can be too harsh. The OCM also is good at unblocking pores. I’ve written a post about it, so have a read of that. You want to make sure you don’t have dry skin because dry flakey skin will clog your pores which will result in more acne.
One last thing- I know you’ve tried medications in the past and don’t want to use them again which is great. You may however want to consider giving yourself a time period to do the natural thing before you consider going on medications again. Say, you might want to give yourself 6 months of good diet, relaxation, exercise and supplements. If it’s still bad after the 6 months, then you may want to consider meds again. I’ll be putting a post up about this soon.
Hi Fran,
I am 32 years of age, and I have moderate acne for 10 years now, mainly a lot of blackheads spreading all over my face and causing these holes and some, but very big whitheads that look very ugly.
I am rather calm, not really a stressed person and I am also taking care of my diet. I don’t take the pill either … and I do meditate as well for a long time …
But still the acne does not go away ….
I decided to go to a dermathologist who gave my “Gluconate de Zink” pills, a treatment over 4 months together with Adapalene (I dont know whether this is something known where you live, I live in France), and in case there is too much sun, I have to put Peroxyde de Benzoyle on my skin, which I saw just now you don’t really recommend.
I don’t see any change so far, after nearly two months of treatment, but I really don’t know what to do anymore. Especially the black heads I find them like eating up my skin, making all these little holes ….
and I find it makes the skin age more quickly ….
Jasmina
Hi Jasmina,
Sounds like you have clogged pores and very oil skin. The ‘holes’ or large pores are quite common with oily skin types, and worsen as you get older. Blackheads are also common for oily skin.
Adapalene essentialy is Differin, which works by exfoliating the skin. He would have given you this to deep exfoliate your pores (to get rid of your blackheads).
BP is commonly prescribed with it and works by kiling the bacteria.
These 2 products are only working on the surface level of your skin, so they’re only treating the symptom (which is the acne itself) and NOT the cause of your acne.
You can keep up with those treatments, but after 3 months if you see no improvements it’s probably not worth it.
I’d advise you to take more of a holistic approach to dealing with your acne, so start eating really well (follow an acne eating plan), take supplements, practice daily relaxation, and use gentle skin care products that are gentle and of course non-comedogenic.
WOW, thanks for sharing everyone on the pain of adult acne!! I can relate to most things people have written here!!
GEMMA - just curious to know how your skin is going now in Aug 2008 since you are no longer on the pill? I use the pill to treat my acne and would eventually like to go off it.
A BIT ABOUT ME - I use to break out all year round, not the little pimples dotted everywhere, but ‘just’ 1 -2 volcano pimples hiding under my skin….It was awful!!(My diet was average but I had a consistent skin care routine.)
To treat this I went on antibiotics and I was in HEAVEN. It cleared the volcanoes and I ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted!! (I did have little pimples during my cycle but it was not a big deal). My clear skin sadly ended after 2 years of taking the anti-biotics and I started breaking out again.
To overcome this I then decided to go on the pill, Estelle. This helped clear the volcanoes in my t-zone most of the month, but whenever its my cycle at least one mild to sever volcano will appear on my chin area. So my opinion is that the pill helps to clear my acne generally, but I will always get at least 1 volcano when i PMS.
My solution now is to keep taking the pill for the time being but I am:
1) No longer using BP (dried out skin)
2) Trying to use natural skin cleansing products
3) Making a BIG change in my diet by removing proccessed foods and eat only healthy foods.
FRAN, do you know if there is a NATURAL equivilent to the hormonal beneifts of taking the pill?? I am already adding grounded flaxseed to my smoothies. I’m nervous about not having the pill in the future incase the hormones cause more volcanos on my face!!
Thanks!
hey there,
I have recently done a blood test and have really high DHEAS levels in my blood. For this reason I experience severe acne, hair loss and very painful periods. My doctor had prescribed some tropical lotions and “birth control” to rectify the hormone deficiency. This, I found was absolutely useless and caused more distress. I ended up going to see a naturopath and she gave me vitex-agnus- castus. It is day 2 on this stuff and believe me, this stuff tastes horrible. After trying every form of acne treatment advertised on tv, I’m willing to give this one a shot. I will keep you informed on the results…
I totally agree about the oil cleanse method. I’ve started doing this by accident. I went away for 3 days and only had a face milk with me to clean my face so I did not use any soap for 3 days. And I was shocked at how my skin improved! There were no pimples and my skin looked more smooth and clean and it stopped flaking!
So I went looking on the internet and found this oil cleaning method which is even better. I use avocado oil with some essential oils - you can use rosemary, tea tree, or ylang ylang (reduces sebum). It smells gorgeous and leaves your skin radiant and clean!
If you want you could follow with some natural or home made tonic, like witch hazel water (Boots) or rose water or cucumber juice, or lemon juice diluted with some water.
and another thing - the oil cleanse method is also reducing black heads greatly, it seems that it really gets into the pores.
Hi Fran,
How can teenage acne be treated in comparison to adult acne? I know that teenage acne is often caused by a hormonal imbalance due to puberty, but I don’t really know treatments that are targeted toward teenage acne! supplements maybe?
I’m dealing with a lot of tiny bumps across my forehead and several typical teenage acne bumps on my cheeks/chin area. I’ve also just finished a very stressful time period (academically, family-related, complete with a not too healthy diet) and my menstrual cycles have been skipping months a lot.
btw, I’ve switched to a pretty healthy diet and am trying hard to follow your food recommendations
Thanks, and i LOVE your blog/videos!
Leave a Response