Just when you thought you’ve surpassed the age of pubescent acne, the sudden burst of hormonal acne blindsides you and leaves you in the state of stress… which might in turn lead to MORE acne.
What exactly does one have to do to break out of the misery of these unannounced breakouts?
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Come One, Come All
It doesn’t just come as a solitary zit, unfortunately. When one sprouts, it usually precedes the start of a proper breakout.
Acne bacteria spread like wildfire and manifests itself in various forms. Whiteheads, blackheads, papules… and the worst of the lot: cystic acne.
Hormonal acne is especially common in women, due to more frequent fluctuations during menstruation and menopause.
Herein lies the unfortunate kicker: even if your menstrual cycle stops, the beginning of menopause can also cause these breakouts… unless you know what’s good for your skin of course.
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The Zit Zappers
With acne being such a common occurrence, there is of course an abundance of solutions to this problem in the market.
It is however important to pick the best of the lot, instead of the run-of-the-mill products that carry a lot of promise but little results. To know the best, we need to dive down into the specifics: the ingredients that put acne down for the count, stat.
One such ingredient is Azelaic Acid. This acid burns through the bacteria on your skin that causes acne by decreasing the production of keratin, a natural substance that leads to the development of acne.
A skincare product with the combination of Azelaic Acid and Vitamin C, a natural shield from environmental aggressors like the sun and pollutants, can go a long way in your war against acne.
Your body’s production of sebum is also a factor in the frequency of breakouts, hormones aside. If you find yourself having to use oil blotters more often than not, clogged pores that lead to breakouts might be especially susceptible to you.
This is where ingredients that contain Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid need to come into play.
These ingredients are specialists when it comes to sebum regulation, pore-unclogging and even reducing the redness of post-acne pigmentation. Another advantage of Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid is that it is suitable for practically any skin type, with no risk of complications or irritations.
A surprise addition to the list of potent zit zappers come in the form of a product that most consider being a form of makeup/concealer: BB Cream.
Often used as a makeup primer and the regulation of skin coloration, there are ‘hybrid’ BB Creams that exist that act as sunscreens, moisturizers, and of course, acne fighters.
These products usually contain Benzoyl Peroxide and Titanium Dioxide, both potent in the clearance of breakouts, and the prevention of future ones when used in tandem.
If you’re a victim of enlarged pores due to your torrid history with acne, these ingredients can even minimize the appearance of pores.
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Break up with Breakouts
Now that you’re armed with the knowledge of what ingredients to look out for when your hormones wreak havoc on your skin, you will be well-equipped to handle it and even prevent it.
Steer clear of acne, and stay clear, dysfunctional hormones or not!
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