I'm well past puberty, but for some reason I still get acne...
This is "adult acne," which troubles many women.
Teenage acne tends to appear on oily areas such as the forehead and T-zone, but adult acne is characterized by appearing on dry areas such as the U-zone, from the cheeks to around the mouth and chin.
The causes vary, including dry skin, lack of sleep, and stress, but in all cases, acne develops when pores become clogged with thickened keratin, sebum, and dirt on the skin, allowing acne bacteria to proliferate and cause inflammation.
If you've been noticing a lot of acne lately, it could be a sign that your body is sending out an SOS!
Wash your face frequently and take good care of your skin to prevent dryness. Avoid sugary sweets like chocolate and oily foods like fried foods, as these can cause acne. Also, constipation can easily cause acne, so be sure to eat plenty of dietary fiber.
If inflamed acne is left untreated, even if the acne itself heals, melanin pigment can accumulate in the area where the acne was, potentially leaving behind dark spots.
To prevent this, early treatment is important, but it's even more crucial to prevent acne from forming in the first place!