What Makes Teen Acne Different?

If you're a teenager with acne, then you've probably read just about every piece of acne treatment advice that there is. But that doesn't mean that you've gotten clear skin. While it's true that all blemishes form from the same process – pores are clogged creating a build-up of acne-causing bacteria – that doesn't mean that how pores are clogged or the best way to treat your blemishes is the same at any age. There are a few factors that make teenage acne different from other types of acne. Here are some things to keep in mind about teen acne and how to treat it effectively.

Teen Acne is Almost Always Hormonal Acne
While acne can be caused by skin care products and makeup (Acne Cosmetica) or by materials or hands touching your face (Acne Mechanica), almost all teen acne is Hormonal Acne. As a teenager, your body is going through a natural period of adjustment that usually includes an increase in hormones. In particular, the androgen hormones can often trigger an over-production of skin cells and oil that leads to clogged pores. What does this mean for treating teen acne? It means that, while you still need to follow all of the tips that you've heard about not touching your face, washing off your makeup or using oil-free products, in order to clear your acne you'll really need to deal with the overproduction of skin and oil. In some cases, doctor prescribed medications can help to balance hormone production. In most cases, though, using a topical acne treatment that can exfoliate away the clogging beneath your skin's surface before blemishes form will give you clearer skin. If you're expecting to be able to clear your skin up just by drying out excess oil or changing your pillowcases, you won't be solving the root of the problem.

Related Product: Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel
Using the topical acne medication Salicylic Acid, Murad Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel exfoliates to lift away the dead skin cells within pores, clearing existing acne and preventing new blemishes.

Customer Review
"This product made my skin so soft and clear!!! I think it even help lighten some of my scars and brown spots on my face. I have used SEVERAL acne products and this surpasses them all by far! It doesn’t stink or dry out your skin like other products!" Maddie07, California (See all reviews.)

Teen Acne Typically Happens on Oilier Skin
As we age, skin produces less moisture and natural oil (sebum). For people with adult acne, that can mean that their skin is more sensitive to acne treatment products and may react more poorly to them. For teenagers, that means that clearing acne can be more challenging. Excess facial oil can pull dirt, debris and dead skin cells from the surface of the skin down into the pores. Pores then become clogged and acne breakouts occur. While you need to address what's happening within your clogged pores, you also need to find a way to control oil production to eliminate new clogged pores. One way to do this is to be careful not to do things that will result in excess oil being formed. For example, people with oily skin often wash their face many times per day to remove the oil. What actually happens when you do that is that you strip your face of even the essential oil. That means that your body responds by producing even more oil to compensate for the loss. Use oil-control makeup, wipes or dry blotting papers instead to remove surface oil.

Related Product: Oil Control Mattifier SPF 15 | PA ++
Control shine and oil while also preserving natural and healthy skin moisture and protecting against UV damage.

Customer Review
"I have the oiliest skin on the planet and this cuts down the oil by leaps and bounds! I have used a lot of different products to try and accomplish this, and none have worked as well as this does. And it isn’t heavy on my face after application, so my make-up still goes on even. I would highly recommend this product!!!" KrissieZ, Illinois (See all reviews.)

Teen Acne is Typically in the Center of the Face
Whereas adult acne typically happens on the lower part of the face, teen acne is usually in the center of the face or the T-Zone (the T-shaped area of your face formed by the forehead, nose, upper lip and chin). The good news is that this area of the face is easier to treat than the area where adult acne happens, but the bad news is that it's also a lot more visible. One way to help with the fact that your teenage acne is in the center of your face is to look for products that are specifically designed for the T-Zone that control oil and shine while also minimizing pores. Another solution is to make sure that in addition to your topical acne treatment you're also utilizing Inclusive Health™ practices such as staying hydrated, reducing stress and eating an antioxidant-rich diet.

Related Product: T-Zone Pore Refining Gel
Not only does this T-Zone treatment minimize oil and shine, but it also actively clears clogged pores.

Customer Review
"This product greatly has improved my T-Zone area. My T-Zone area is oil free because of this product. I absolutely love this product and would recommend it to anyone." Natalie55, Pennsylvania (See all reviews.)

There are common goals and treatments for acne no matter what age you begin to get breakouts at, but acne for teenagers isn't exactly the same as adult acne. Make sure that you're treating acne in and around  the pores, not over-drying or over-stripping your face of oil and paying close attention to your T-Zone and overall health for the best results with teenage acne.

Learn more about the science of acne in the Murad Acne Treatment and Resource Center and be sure to explore Murad's complete line of acne treatment products and teen skin care products.

Via: What Makes Teen Acne Different?