Adult Acne Care, Skin Care Is Not Skin Deep

The answer to your adult acne problem begins on the inside.

Kathleen Steadwater

The saying goes that beauty is only skin-deep. This cannot be truer than with adult acne care. Skin care studies have proven that treating your adult acne with topical creams and cleansers, however effective, is simply not enough to prevent the ever-dreaded blemish that soon erupts into a full-scale battle of oil, dirt and dead skin cells. 

That's because what you put into your body is just as important, if not more so, than what you put on your skin. It is true that acne skin care treatments can do wonders for a breakout, but most of these acne products are topical, meaning that they really do only go skin deep. This means that they simply treat the symptom of something greater that's going on inside your body.

What's the answer? It's quite simple, actually — a change of lifestyle. With a few simple changes to your lifestyle, you can get to the root of your adult acne troubles and find relief. Now, a lifestyle change sounds like a big task, but all it really means is taking control of your habits and taking charge of your adult acne. Here's how:

1. Eat
We all know that eating better provides many great benefits including just feeling better overall. Eating a diet full of fresh foods like fruits, vegetables and fish can do wonders for a bad complexion. But that's not a remedy in itself — you also need to limit your intake of saturated fats, hydrogenated fats, sugar and caffeine, all of which are abundant in processed foods like those you find at fast food restaurants.

But fast food joints aren't the only places you need to avoid. The next time you go to the store, take note of where the aisles are located, and how the food is placed within the store. You'll notice that all of the fresh foods — produce, meats, fresh fish and dairy products — are located along the walls of the store, and all of the processed foods are in the center aisles. By keeping your cart away from the center aisles, you can be sure you're making the right dietary choices, while avoiding the temptation to buy processed foods. If it's in a box or a can, you probably shouldn't be eating it!

2. Hydrate
Our bodies are made up of 90% water. Water is literally our source of life. It keeps us hydrated and helps remove toxins from our bodies. Make sure to drink plenty of water every day — not just when you're thirsty, but all day long. By the time you feel thirsty, you're already experiencing symptoms of dehydration, which sends your body into survival mode. Your body doesn't need the stress! When looking for something to drink, water should be your first option; however, for more flavor, teas or 100% fruit juices are a good alternative to sodas and energy drinks, which are loaded with sugar. Be sure to look for bottled teas and fruit juices without added sugar.

3. Rest
Make sure you get enough rest every night and take a nap if needed during the day. This not only keeps you fresh and alert, it keeps your body balanced. Often when people are tired, they turn to snacking and caffeinated beverages to keep them going. You're not only better off taking a 15-minute catnap, but your skin will be, too.

4. Move
Stress is an underlying cause of many problems people face, including weight gain, headaches, fatigue, illness, bad skin, bad moods, etc. Any major changes in your body chemistry as a result of stress can lead to an upset of your body's balance, which means more breakouts! Exercising helps relieve stress and helps your body better filter toxins. You'll not only feel better, but you'll look better, too.

Without addressing the issues that are going on internally, you could face years of living with a medicine cabinet full of acne products, wondering why there's no relief. By making some simple lifestyle changes you're not only making yourself healthier on the inside, the results will be noticeable on the outside through your clear, glowing skin.