Acne is affecting more and more adult women. In a few years, it has even become one of the first reasons for consultation with the dermatologist. Our advice to rebalance the skin without irritating it and making these imperfections disappear.
Why do pimples sometimes appear in adulthood, how to fight them most effectively and regain beautiful skin? We tell you everything to wage war on buttons!
Recent studies show that, in addition to stress, heredity, diet and hormonal disturbances, pollution is also responsible for a more oily skin, brighter and more prone to blackheads, microcysts and acne. And this, even if we did not suffer from acne as a teenager. The main culprits: fine particles, such as lead, nitrogen oxide or carbon monoxide, the level of which over the past five years has increased by nearly 8% in urban areas around the world. But endocrine disruptors are also implicated …
What about the face?
Pimples appear, such as inflammatory acne. They are rather located on the lower face. And more particularly on the chin, jawbones, neck and sometimes even on the neckline. The skin becomes more sensitive and tends to become dehydrated. Above all, these imperfections often leave traces: mini scars in the form of red or brown spots, which no longer fade. From the forties, these marks are accompanied in addition to a loss of radiance and firmness, wrinkles and fine lines.
The best active against pimples?
To fight against this late acne, creams and other serums contain targeted ingredients. Of zinc, for example, a benchmark active ingredient in dermatology, which has antibacterial, sebum-regulating and healing properties, or gluconolactone and niacinamide, with anti-inflammatory and sebum-regulating properties. Some treatments include glycolic or salicylic acid, the “peeling” effect of which erases dead cells and limits imperfections, eliminates comedones and refines dilated pores.
To be used occasionally, for example in a weekly mask, to smooth and clarify the complexion without attacking the epidermis. Just like vegetable charcoal, capable of absorbing shine, or the different clays with cleansing properties, which restore brightness to blurred complexions.
What is happening within the skin?
Not only pollution contributes to increasing the level of sebumsecreted by the sebaceous glands, but above all it has an impact on the quality of the latter. Squalene, in particular, a lipid present in sebum, changes its chemical composition when it is confronted with pollutants and ultraviolet rays (in particular UVA). It oxidizes quickly, which creates an environment favorable to the development of the P.acnes bacteria, but also to inflammation and proliferation of blackheads.
What reflexes to adopt against pimples?
Objective number one: rebalance the skin without stripping or irritating it. With, as a first reflex, cleaning the face twice a day. In the morning to wake up the epidermis and prepare it to receive anti-blemish active ingredients; in the evening, in order to eliminate anything that could clog the pores, such as traces of pollution, make-up, sebum, dust … By choosing a soft foaming gel (without soap) or a micellar water, which at the same time restores the pH of the skin.
Then, a purifying lotion can be used to tighten the skin texture and limit shine.
Then, do not skip the treatment: in the morning, a light moisturizer, chosen from an anti-acne range, and in the evening, a treatment treatment all over the face. It will be responsible for fighting against pimples, but also possibly against the signs of aging. Once a week, the application of a cleansing mask detoxifies the complexion and brings more clarity to the epidermis.
How to limit the effects of pollution on the skin?
In the city, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors, it can be beneficial to use products that contain ingredients that have antipollution action. By depositing a protective film, they trap polluting particles, thus preventing them from attaching to the surface of the skin. In the form of a light and invisible mist, to be sprayed even on top of make-up, to reduce hyperseborrhea and fight against the oxidation of sebum (Aqua Urban, pollution defense mist from Galénic, or Aqua Aeria, botanical oxygenating anti-pollution mist from Sanoflore , for example).
What makeup against imperfections?
It is necessary to choose fluid and non-comedogenic textures so as not to worsen the condition of the skin and to avoid superimposing too many layers, as this can promote the appearance of pimples and blackheads. In the morning, for example, it is quite possible to apply a fluid foundation and a powder or a blush after the day cream, as long as you choose non-comedogenic care.
What if acne persists?
It is then necessary to consult a dermatologist. For mild to moderate acne, local treatment, based on benzoyl peroxide and retinoids, will generally be the most suitable, unless the rash is very inflammatory. If this treatment is not sufficient, oral antibiotics (cyclins) may be prescribed as back-up. It is recommended to also consult your gynecologist, who can if necessary change contraception. Orally, isotretinoin remains an effective treatment, but it is reserved for severe acneand which present a risk of scarring.
Care against imperfections
It contains mattifying particles, anti-pimple salicylic acid and licorice to calm irritation and reduce redness.
Mattifying fluid Dermopure mat, Eucerin, € 14 for 50 ml.
A light-textured treatment that refines the grain of oily skin thanks to its duo of salicylic acid and soothing bisabolol.
Arrêbum cream, specific treatment for oily and acne-prone skin, Jaldes Laboratories, € 14.50 for 40 ml.
Global corrector, it limits imperfections thanks to its anti-inflammatory and sebum-regulating active ingredients. And hyaluronic acid against wrinkles.
Sebiaclear serum, SVR, 19,90 € les 30 ml.
It contains essential oils of tea tree and antibacterial bergamot, balancing ylang-ylang and healing lavender.
Tea tree purifying cleansing foam, So’Bio Étic, € 7.80 for 150 ml.
Before daily care, it is applied to clean skin to tighten the pores (extracts of mint and salicylic acid) and to mattify the complexion (absorbent powders).
Purifying water, Payot, € 24.50 for 200 ml.
Its mineral pigments camouflage skin defects and unify the complexion, while the prebiotic limits the recurrence of imperfections.
Effaclar Duo (+) unifying, La Roche-Posay, € 14.50 for 40 ml.
Zinc, salicylic acid, white and green clays (against excess sebum) and mattifying rice powder leave the skin clear.
Sébologie, Scrub descaling mask, Lierac, € 27.50 for 50 ml.
To fade pimples and blackheads and give a healthy glow, it combines its unifying pigments with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory active ingredients.
Cleanance Expert, tinted treatment, pimples, blackheads, Avène, € 13.55 for 40 ml.
Velvety, it restores the balance of sebum and exerts an anti-inflammatory action to soothe, hydrate and fight against imperfections.
Sébium Sensitive, soothing anti-blemish treatment, Bioderma, € 12.40 for 30 ml.
