Old lady acne

[Thaiisl]

 

I had really bad acne as a teenager and it went away growing up, but literally from night to day I got it back in a different (around my chin) area. Has anyone had this happen? It’s driving me nuts, even my makeup can’t cover it (that’s how dark it is).😭😩😭😩

Dirty face with affected areas 

[WinglessOne]

@Thaiisl  Adult acne is quite common, even for folks who haven't had acne since their teen years. I'm in my early 50s and, thanks to recent hormonal changes, I now get acne more frequently than I used to. 

Something that might help reduce your post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH, such as dark spots left behind by acne) is azelaic acid. This ingredient targets dark spots and acne-causing bacteria, plus it acts as an antioxidant. When I apply azelaic acid to active acne as soon as I notice it forming, the resulting PIH is usually reduced. I use azelaic acid daily on most of my face anyway to treat other hyperpigmentation and surface redness, and it helps me control acne. My favorite product is Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster for Redness Relief 1 oz/ 30 mL , but another option is The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% Cream for Redness and Blemish-Prone Skin . I'm currently testing and enjoying Peach Slices Redness Relief Azelaic Acid Serum (available at Ulta, if you're in the US). All 3 of those contain 10% azelaic acid. In the US, you can also get prescription strength (15-20%) azelaic acid from a dermatologist or your primary care doctor. 

You can also try using a color corrector under your makeup, if you haven't yet. A green color corrector should neutralize red marks. Note that the goal of a color corrector is to neutralize/cancel a color, not fully cover it up. In other words, after using a green color corrector, you shouldn't end up with bold green spots on your face your foundation or concealer might have trouble covering. 

[ather]

@Thaiisl  I didn’t really have acne in my teens. But I got it in my 30s and 40s. I found a skincare routine that works but I still get a few that pop up before or during my cycles. I found that double cleansing helped.