Adult acne and the skin microbiome: what you need to know

Story Highlights:

• Adult acne differs from teen acne; slower cell turnover and delayed healing require a different approach.
• A healthy skin microbiome is essential for clear, balanced skin. Harsh treatments can do more harm than good.
• Acne Biotic Moisturizer effectively treats breakouts while hydrating skin’s barrier and supporting the microbiome.

Frustrated by stubborn adult acne? Your skin’s microbiome could be the key to a clearer complexion. Stress, hormonal shifts, and environmental pollutants can all disrupt the beneficial bacteria on your skin, leading to more frequent breakouts. Adult breakouts also come with additional challenges like dryness, slower cell turnover, and delayed healing – making it even more important to nurture a healthy microbial balance. By targeting both active breakouts and your skin’s underlying ecosystem, you’ll be on your way to clearer, healthy-looking skin.

What causes adult acne?

Adult acne can stem from both internal and external influences. Hormonal fluctuation can increase oil production and make skin more reactive, while environmental factors like pollution worsen inflammation. As the skin’s renewal process slows with age, dryness and blocked pores become more common. Many adults try to combat breakouts with harsh treatments that strip away natural oils – along with beneficial bacteria – disrupting the skin’s microbiome and weakening its protective barrier. This can amplify irritation and cause breakouts to linger longer than expected.

How does skin’s microbiome impact adult acne?

Your skin is home to trillions of microbes, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that help maintain its balance. This microbiome plays a crucial role in defending against harmful bacteria, regulating oil production, and supporting skin barrier function. However, as we age, the composition of our microbiome shifts – making adult skin more prone to dryness, sensitivity, and breakouts.

Harsh acne treatments that strip the skin of natural oils and beneficial bacteria can further disrupt this delicate ecosystem, leading to more inflammation, irritation, and even worsening acne over time. That’s why a microbiome-friendly approach is essential for clear, healthy-looking skin.

How can I treat adult acne while supporting my skin’s microbiome?

Rather than relying on overly aggressive treatments, consider a more balanced approach to acne care. Here’s how:

• Use microbiome-friendly skincare: Look for formulas with prebiotics and other ingredients that support the skin’s natural defenses.
• Be proactive, not reactive: Don’t wait for breakouts to appear; rather, maintain a consistent routine that targets acne daily while keeping skin hydrated and resilient.
• Selectively target acne-causing bacteria: targeted ingredients like Salicylic Acid help reduce acne and prevent future breakouts without harming skin’s beneficial bacteria.
• Hydrate to support skin’s barrier: A well-moisturized skin barrier helps maintain balance, reduces irritation, and improves overall skin health.

Managing adult acne is a balancing act; we need to target breakouts while also supporting skin’s microbiome. Acne Biotic Moisturizer is designed with this balance in mind: it combines acne-fighting actives with microbiome-supporting ingredients. In clinical trials, users saw a visible improvement in just 20 minutes – and clearer-looking skin in only 5 days.*

*Based on a 2-week study of 20 subjects, 2 applications/day.

Still have questions? Chat with one of our professional skin therapists for personalized recommendations and explore our moisturizer collection.