Or, rather, that’s how it used to be. Today, spots are no longer just a problem for adolescents.
A recent study found that more than half of UK women over 30 struggle with blemishes.
Experts say our busy lives have sent levels of the stress hormone cortisol soaring, pushing oil production into overdrive.
‘Acne is caused by the sebaceous glands producing more oil,’ says consultant dermatologist Dr Susan Mayou. ‘Excess sebum is trapped by dead skin cells, which clog pores, so blocked bacteria then reacts with the grease, forming spots.’
And adult spots can be even more severe, consisting of red, painful deep cysts not just on the face but on the body, too.
These flare-ups can dent our confidence and make us depressed. But the good news is even severe adult acne can be cleared.
Pimple wars: Acne can strike at any age
DAILY SPOT FIGHTING
Mild or moderate acne consists of blackheads, whiteheads or tender red bumps and is easily treatable.
Products containing pore-unplugging salicylic acid have been proven to reduce spots. The Doctor Brand Blemish Relief range (boots.com) has a cleanser, pore-clearing gel, spot eliminator and soothing lotion, formulated with salicylic and glycolic acid to clear blocked follicles.
Ren ClearCalm3 Anti Blemish Clay Cleanser (£18, renskincare.com) has antibacterial honey, salicylic acid and zinc to reduce breakouts. Launching next month is Avene Triacneal (£23, avene.co.uk), which contains efectiose, an anti-irritation ingredient that mimics rhamnose, a naturally-occurring anti-inflammatory.
Dr Mayou says: ‘One great over-the-counter ingredient is benzoyl peroxide. It causes the top layer of skin cells to shed, unblocking the sebaceous glands, combating black and whiteheads.’
Choose creams with concentrations of 2.5 to 5 per cent — anything higher can be drying.
For sensitive skin try Medik8 Acne Treatment Kit (£34, skinbrands.co.uk) — a gel and spot balm with milder ingredients, such as decongesting azelaic acid and soothing camphor oil.
Pimpled skin is usually inflamed, so calming masks can combat this. Also try Kate Somerville Clearing Mask (£42, spacenk.co.uk), which uses toxin-clearing bentonite clay, exfoliating phytic acid and B vitamins.
HIGH-TECH OPTIONS
Effective: The Dermaroller pinpricks skin so it then repairs itself
For acne that does not respond to creams and medications, try a professional treatment. Isolaz (£160, sknclinics.co.uk) is a ten‑minute session, in which a vacuum sucks congestion out of the pores, then a blast of laser light kills bacteria.
While the N-lite laser (£250, theprivateclinic.co.uk) uses a yellow light to destroy pimple-causing bacteria and rebuild collagen.
To heal scars, collagen production must be stimulated. The Fraxel Dual laser (from £2,000, fraxel.com) penetrates the dermis to do this and create fresh tissue.
Skin needling treatments, such as the Genuine Dermaroller (from £250, genuinedermaroller.co.uk), involves ‘injuring’ the skin with lots of tiny pinpricks, so encouraging the natural repair process, which can also help.
BODY ACNE BUSTERS
Body-wide breakouts can be exacerbated by regular lotions and washes.
So go for non-comedogenic formulas — these won’t block the pores. Proactiv Solution Clear Zone Body Lotion (£9.95, proactiv.co.uk) clears pores and controls blemishes without drying the skin. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (£8.99, boots.com) is great for cleaning the body without losing natural oils.
FOR SEVERE CASES
If over-the-counter treatments haven’t worked, talk to your GP or a dermatologist.
Alternatively, antibiotic tablets and a cream may help. In extreme cases, Roaccutane (a vitamin A derivative) will be prescribed to shrink oil-producing glands, so the cells that block pores are less sticky.
SORE POINT
While 14 per cent of women aged 26 to 44 seek help for adult acne, many more suffer in silence ( dailymail.co.uk )
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