Acne has been a constant since my 21st birthday, almost on the dot.

I had made it through my teen years fairly unphased in the blemish department- just with your typical congested T-Zone that was due to a lack of a skincare routine and a bizarre fascination with walnut scrubs.

At 21, a few spots made their way onto my cheeks, and almost as quickly as they arrived, they left behind purplish marks. These marks I now know as Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH).

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

In my journey with adult acne, I’ve had moments of crystal clear, glass like skin clarity, to phases where it felt like there literally wasn’t a spot without a blemish and it hurt to put my face on my pillow.

Although I still stress out my skin, introduce new products that don’t always agree with me, and even over-exfoliate on occasion. Beyond that, my mental and physical health goes hand in hand with my skincare routine and ability to be consistent.

I now strongly feel I know my skin- what it needs, what it loves, and where I tend to go wrong. The below are things I wish I knew (or did) much, much earlier.

1. My Adult Acne Isn’t The Same as Teen Acne

I’ll try not to scream this from the roof top, but I get pretty fiery about it. If you have adult acne, avoid teen acne products.

Adult acne is quite different from teenage acne, even though they share some common factors.

Products formulated for teen skin are often designed to target excess oil production, which is more common during our teens (think: puberty).

These products can be harsher and more drying, which can work for younger, oilier skin types who seem to be able to bounce back from anything.

For us adult acne sufferers, our skin is likely sensitive and may not have the same overproduction of oil.

Adult skin needs more balanced care, focusing on calming inflammation, maintaining moisture, and avoiding ingredients that could further irritate or dry out already sensitive, acne-prone skin.

So with that in mind, unless you do have oily skin, don’t automatically opt for oily skin type products because you’re spotty. Keep a keen eye out for anything that uses light moisturising ingredients and brands that focus on barrier repair.

2. I Wish I…Consulted a Good GP Earlier

If your skin is anything like mine was during my worst breakouts, and you’re ready for a change, my honest, heartfelt advice is this: it’s time to see a GP who understands skin health.

I know first hand how overwhelming it can be to deal with persistent acne, especially when it feels like nothing is working.

To make matters worse, acne can move to the body (chest, back, bum and arms) things can become very difficult to manage without support.

A GP can offer insights and treatment options that might not be available over the counter or on the pharmacy shelf, or potentially refer you onto a Dermatologist for consolation.

I’m mentioning this first up because it can’t be ignored that acne is a medical skin condition, and we should be consulting with medical professionals for any medical conditions that affect our physical and mental health.

3. I Wish I…Stopped Using Vitamin C Earlier

For my fellow acne-prone friends, this might be controversial, but I found that Vitamin C just wasn’t for me.

If you’re struggling with breakouts I’d suggest skipping it for a week and seeing if there’s any improvement. It could make a shocking difference. Keep an eye on your redness and new break outs in the time you’re spending away from the ingredient.

If it’s not Vit C, there might be a ingredient or product that the skintok world is telling you that you need in your routine- but- your skin might have been much happier before you started using it, or it may not even be for your skin concerns.

Consider culling the products. Gift them on or use them on your chest to nullify the guilt.

Better yet? Many shops provide very flexible returns for products that don’t work out for your skin.

Read: Why Your Dark Spots Aren’t Lightening

4. I Wish I…Used Sunscreen Every Morning & Reapplied

Protecting my skin from the sun became non-negotiable.

I personally chose a tinted mineral sunscreen for its additional protection against hyperpigmentation, thanks to its iron oxides. Wearing sunscreen is essential for preventing PIH from worsening, as UV exposure can darken the affected areas and make them harder to fade.

Reapplying at lunch or midday became a routine, ensuring my skin stayed protected all day long.

In saying that, the best SPF is the one you use consistently and (kind of) religiously. Take the guess work out, get a SPF you don’t cringe at using.

5. I Wish I…Started Using Niacinamide

A niacinamide serum became a staple in both my morning and evening routines, even on nights when I used vitamin A.

It worked to calm my angry skin and strengthened my skin barrier, alongside working at the stubborn PIH/PIE that was left over by the smattering of blemishes.

There are many great budget options for a niacinamide serums, so if your skin can tolerate it, using it AM & PM is a option.

Now- this ingredient might not be for you! That’s ok- Niacinamide at low percentages usually are found in your products, so you might not even need to bother with a dedicated serum.

6. I Wish I Wasn’t Scared of Moisturiser Earlier

I fell in love with moisturising my skin. I layered on hydrating, even rich sleeping masks, all of which kept my skin plump and comfortable.

Is everything breaking you out? That’s a good sign of a damaged skin barrier- get yourself a super simple no nothing moisturiser and take it slow.

PSA: Adult acne isn’t always oily, hell, I’d say rarely! If you’re blessed with the drier/ normal skin + acne combo, you really can’t afford to further dry out your skin.

Lots of acne geared products further dry out stressed skin, so it’s essential to make up for that with a solid moisturising routine.

7. Used Antibacterial Treatments

Antibacterial treatments are wonderful, reliable and they just work. They quickly became an essential, especially for those deep, sore, and pus-filled cystic acne spots.

Antibacterial treatments for the skin work by targeting and reducing the growth of bacteria that cause the blemish.

Antibacterial products often include ingredients that create an environment that’s unfriendly to bacterial, meaning they won’t thrive and they’ll hopefully die. This means they can help to clear existing breakouts and prevent new ones.

8. Opted for a Gentle Foaming Cleanser

I switched to a cleanser that didn’t leave my skin feeling tight or stripped. Squeaky clean skin isn’t what you’re aiming for- actually that “squeak” is a great sign your skin is stressed out.

Cleansing might actually be one of the most important steps for your skin, because it’s the foundation that every other step comes from. Acne prone skin especially can’t skimp on cleansing, as any excess gunk from the day can contribute to break outs and irritation.

Read: Here’s AM & PM Cleansing Made Simple

9. Regularly Using a Vitamin A Correctly

Vitamin A is a huge catch all ingredient, and if you have adult acne, it’s hard to get past not using one.

Vitamin A wonderful for acne prone skin because it helps regulate skin cell turnover, preventing the build-up of dead skin cells that can clog pores and lead to breakouts.

Beyond prevention, Vitamin A is extremely helpful for getting rid of deep, pigmented scarring that seems to last forever.

Read: How to use Vitamin A Like a Pro

10. When in Doubt, Cut Back!

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of acne products and tips out there, it's completely okay to take a step back and simplify.

Sometimes, less really is more. I’d encourage you to pare down your routine to the essentials: a sunscreen in the morning, a 60-second cleanse at night, and a moisturiser suited for your skin type.

If you find yourself constantly swapping products or feeling unsure about which one is actually working, it might be a sign to cut back.

Sticking to the basics for a while allows your skin to reset, and you can slowly reintroduce active ingredients as your skin becomes more balanced. This approach helps you identify what your skin truly needs without overwhelming it (hopefully).

My Rant From the Heart

Final Thoughts

My relationship with acne has been a journey to say the least. Understanding my skin and what it needs has been empowering, but I couldn’t have done it without guidance.

If you’re struggling with acne and feel like you’re at a dead end, please consider seeing a GP.

With the right support and a tailored routine, clearer skin is within reach.

Remember, it’s not just about the products you use but understanding your skin’s unique needs and treating it with the care it deserves.

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