Men's acne | B Skin Legacy

Men’s acne

Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when the hair follicles under the skin become blocked. Sebum and dead skin cells clog the pores and breakouts (often called pimples) can occur. Most often, the rashes occur on the face but can also appear on the back, chest and shoulders.
For most people, acne tends to disappear by the time they reach their thirties, but some people in their forties and fifties continue to have this skin problem.

The difference between teenage and adult acne comes down to cause and treatment.

Teenagers generally suffer more acne due to hormonal fluctuations in their changing bodies, which can lead to increased sebum production and subsequent breakouts.

Adult acne can be caused by hormones (especially if they are taking a medication or treatment that alters their natural hormonal balance), but most often adult acne is due to stress, diet, personal habits and individual predisposition.

When it comes to adult acne, particularly in men, hormones are the main cause. The male body produces higher levels of testosterone (compared to women), which is linked to the production of sebum in the sebaceous glands, resulting in oilier skin and clogged pores. But it’s our lifestyle choices as adults that can play a role in the formation of adult acne that men also face, from stress to grooming habits.

Like facial hair. Beards and moustaches can act as a trap for bacteria and sebum that cause acne. Also, the products we use may not be suitable for our skin. Men tend to use harsh cleansers and scrubs, which strip the skin of natural oils and weaken the skin barrier, putting them at increased risk of developing acne. And when acne is present, they don’t follow the steps needed to get rid of it safely and effectively.

Treating adult acne in men is all about using the right products containing safe, gentle and effective ingredients with an anti-ageing twist.

The experience of adult men with acne could be a sign of other underlying health problems, including more serious hormonal imbalances, as well as unhelpful environmental factors such as unhealthy air or something in the water you drink. If you experience more than a few pimples here and there, or if you notice that the problem persists beyond a few weeks, it may be worth seeing a dermatologist to get to the bottom of it.

Purify

It is recommended to use a cleanser with salicylic or glycolic acid to help remove dead skin cells that could clog pores, preventing breakouts before they start.

Toning (optional)

A clarifying toner that contains salicylic or glycolic acid may help further relieve congestion or breakouts. However, doubling up on these ingredients right after cleansing could lead to excessive dryness, so only do this if your skin can tolerate it. Or use a toning lotion with soothing ingredients like madecassoside (centella asiatica), niacinamide (vitamin B3).

Apply a serum
For an extra anti-aging and anti-acne effect, you can layer a serum with vitamin C.

Apply eye cream
As a product synonymous with adulthood, eye cream is a daily staple, but if you’re dealing with adult acne, avoid anything too rich and occlusive and opt instead for a lightweight gel-like eye treatment containing powerful moisturisers like hyaluronic acid.

Moisturize

Moisturising is always an essential step for adults with acne, as it helps maintain healthy barrier function and retain essential moisture. Choose a light moisturiser.

Apply sunscreen
It is recommended to apply an oil-free sunscreen to protect the skin without clogging the pores, every day.

Cleaning your face before bed is a must. Whether you have adult acne or not. At night, our skin goes into “healing mode”, so you can add spot treatments and chemical exfoliants to your routine at this time to help heal and prevent active adult acne.

Purify

You can use the same cleanser as in the morning or a double cleanse, starting with an oil cleanser to remove impurities without harming the skin. Then you can use your usual cleanser or if you find it too irritating to use after double cleansing, a milder cleanser.

Toning (optional)

As we said above, this step is entirely up to you – only tone if you are sure it won’t dry out the skin too much. Or use a toning lotion with soothing ingredients such as madecassoside (centella asiatica), niacinamide (vitamin B3).

Exfoliate

Regular treatments using chemical exfoliants are great for everyone, as they promote cell renewal, purify the skin and unclog pores, all of which are essential for healing and preventing adult acne in men.

Apply eye cream
As in the morning, use a light, moisturizing eye cream that does not clog pores.

Treat the spots

In the absence of make-up or SPF, at night you can focus on problem areas with targeted spot treatments containing active ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

Moisturize

At night, you’ll want to use a lightweight moisturizer full of hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help maintain the skin’s moisture barrier, as well as vitamins, antioxidants and extracts that can help fight adult acne.