zap acne for good

You may think you’ve kissed pimples goodbye once you hit your 20s, but adult acne continues to plague many women in their 30s and beyond. “To get to the root of post-puberty pimples, you first need to understand what’s causing them,” says Dr Francesca Fusco, a cosmetic dermatologist in New York City. Find out the top triggers – and cures.

COMMON CULPRIT
The humidity
It’s unfortunate, but our balmy climate can lead to more breakouts.

High humidity causes swelling of the skin follicles, which is aggravated by perspiration. “When you sweat, perspiration mixes with dirt and bacteria already on your skin, resulting in clogged pores and eventually blemishes,” says Dr Fusco.

DOCTOR’S ORDERS
“Avoid tight gym gear if you’re prone to body acne,” advises Dr Cheong Wai Kwong, consultant dermatologist at Specialist Skin Clinic. “Acne caused by occluded skin is commonly found in the area between the shoulder blades.” Instead, choose loosefitting clothes for your workout.

To clear existing spots and lighten post-acne scars, smooth on Ettusais Medicated Body Whitening Mist N ($38), with its patented zit-zapping AC Control Oil made from soybean extract.


COMMON CULPRIT
That time of the month
If you break out in the same place (eg your jawline) around the same time every month, your ovaries may be producing too much progesterone when you ovulate. This hormone overstimulates your oil glands, resulting in blemishes and deep, painful cysts.

DOCTOR’S ORDERS
Use a spot treatment with pore-clearing salicylic acid, like The Face Shop Quick & Clean First Aid Gel ($14.90) or Skin Basique Clearify ($69, skinbasique.com) to zap zits that pop up pre-period. If flareups are stubborn, ask your doctor about going on birth control pills or changing the one you’re on. This will help regulate your hormones.

COMMON CULPRIT
Cosmetic products
Acne formed due to cosmetics (a condition called acne cosmetica) is typically triggered by the pore-clogging oil, talc and silicone found in makeup and many skincare and hairstyling products. Breakouts along the hairline may also result from using a shampoo with drying ingredients that strip away essential sebum, thus making your skin churn out more oil.

DOCTOR’S ORDERS
“Stop using products that contain oil or talc and replace them with formulas that promote a clear complexion,” says Dr Fusco. Also, use the right products for your skin type. “Most adult women have combination skin, not oily skin,” says Dr Cheong. “So using skincare products for oily skin may not be suitable. For example, your facial wash may be too drying. You should also use an appropriate moisturiser.”

Try Biotherm Biopur SOS Normalizer: Normalizing Cleansing Mousse ($50), which gently cleanses clogged pores, and Clarins Hydra-Matte Lotion ($57), which is made for combination, not oily skin.