Adult acne and combination skin

[ChelseaDopico]

Hi! I am 25 years old and experience constant adult acne. As a teenager I never struggled with acne but now it’s a constant battle. When I wear makeup my skin feels oily but then without makeup my skin feels normal/dry. I also have a hard time finding a cleanser that actually removes my makeup. I worry that I’m not cleaning my face correctly and that clogged pores and makeup residue are causing acne. I used to struggle with cystic acne in my early 20s, and now it’s more of small red acne bumps on my forehead and chin. I’m looking for any kind of help or advice on something I could do differently! Currently I remove my makeup with coconut oil, wipe with a warm washcloth, then wash my face with Cetaphil, tone with witch hazel and moisturize with a night time repairing moisturizer. 

[abbyebaker]

My thinking with the coconut oil or any oil would be to limit it to once a week or biweekly.  Excess oils coming through might be because you are need of it so your skin is overcompensating, so providing your skin with it every so often may be beneficial. However I think every day is too much and is cause for breakouts.

I would recommend a mattifying ant-blemish primer to put on before your foundation.  I'm currently using Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Anti Acne Treatment (it's got the active ingredient salicylic acid in it).  For me it's always been a tough battle between keeping my skin clean but not drying it out.  Combo skin is the worst of both worlds. 😕

[risa0225]

Coconut oil cause terrible acne for me. Initially, it was fine, but within a week, there were breakouts all over my face including cystic acne. I don't know how long you have been using it, but if it was recently introduced, you may want to remove it from your skincare and see if your condition improves. You may want to try a cleansing oil that emulsifies easily. Good luck!

[TheBrownLife]

Hi girl so sorry you're struggling with this and it is very common. First coconut oil on acne prone skin is extremely oily and only causing more pores enlarged as they are battling with trying to eliminate the dirt that may be building layer by layer from un-cleansed skin. I would start double cleansing. Bioderma cellar water first step, second cleanse with a creamy cleanser - Farmacy, Lancome, Tatcha, Lait VIP 02 you can research these to see which one fits best for your skin type. Also TONE TONE TONE it will incredibly help you skin balance and keep breakouts at bay once your skin starts to purge. P 50 1970 is the best this toner will change your life girl! Serum - try Sunday Riley oil for acne use pm. Then use a really good moisturizer: Caudalie, Tata Harper, Tatcha, Drunk Elephant, Farmacy great brands for hydrating. Weekly mask to keep your skin nice and clean using the brands I mentioned above. 

[AzaleeG]

Shu Uemura Blanc Chroma is the only cleansing oil that emulsified completely and removes all traces of makeup for me. I follow up with a gently pH balances face wash (Cetaphil or Cerave) cleanser just in case. Good cleansing was key for me to combat my adult acne.

[GingerMelody]

I would add salicylic acid, work up to once a day. Also a retinoid helps adult acne. You could start with Differin from the drug store or consider a prescription. It takes a couple months to see results

[bakeamuffin]

Hey @ChelseaDopico! I’m 24 and was struggling with acne that just kept coming back, mostly on my chin. I have dry skin and around my nose can get sensitive and red with some products, so I was careful about choosing my skincare routine. I start with A Sephora eye makeup remover and gently clear away mascara and liner, wash with Dr. Jart+ micro foam, after I pat the excess water off my face I soak a cotton pad with the Dermaclear micro water and sweep it across my face which collects stuck on dirt, makeup, oil, from pores and brightens the skin. I moisturize with the water drop moisturizer and let my face absorb that for 20-30 minutes before starting my makeup routine so that everything can settle into the skin without caking it on. My acne has really cleared up and my face looks better overall.

[skcfan]

@ChelseaDopico Personally, coconut oil breaks me out terribly, but everyone is different.

Have you seen a dermatologist about your acne? Adult acne is hard, and a professional opinion never hurts.

I keep my adult acne under control with lactic acid (like Sunday Riley good genes) and tretinoin (retin-a).

good luck!