Fighting acne at any age

Acne can affect men and women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. It usually rears its head starting in puberty and can last several years. For some people, it lingers right into adulthood or even begins at that time. But there are things you can do. Ready to fight the war against acne? 

Acne in adult women

It’s a fact: acne affects more adult women than men. It could be due to the changes in hormone levels, for example during your period or during pregnancy, A dull, lacklustre complexion, skin with a little or a lot of shine, redness, pimples and blackheads are all things you can see staring back at you in the mirror, much to your chagrin and frustration.

Acne care for adult skin

If you’re an adult woman with acne, you may find you need more special products and treatments than the ones used by adolescents. But remember that the basics are the same for everyone:

• Cleanse your skin once or twice a day with a wash made for sensitive or acne-prone skin. 
• Remove your makeup  every night. 
• Every day, apply a good quality moisturizer adapted to your skin.
• Use only non-comedogenic cosmetics and beauty products. 
• Protect yourself from the sun.
• Avoid touching your face for no reason. 
• Drink plenty of water to keep your skin well hydrated. 

Products to treat acne can sometimes dry out or weaken skin. Whether you plan on using a cosmetic or medicated acne treatment, it’s always best to speak with your family pharmacist or beauty consultant for help in establishing your acne action plan and recommendations on the best products on the market for your condition. 

What about medication?

Even with a great skin care routine, you may not be able to get your acne under control. If this happens, you may have to consider medication.

There are several types of medicated acne treatments. Some are available without a prescription. They usually contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, two effective acne-fighting ingredients. 

If you have a more severe case of acne, it is best to consult a doctor or dermatologist. Either of them can prescribe products adapted to your skin condition and medications to be applied topically (on the skin) or taken orally (by mouth).

If your acne is caused primarily by a hormonal imbalance, you should know that certain oral contraceptives may be helpful. Your family pharmacist can give you more details about your options in this regard.

Pharmacy services

Do you have questions about acne? Talk to your family pharmacists. They can help you achieve healthy, radiant skin. They can prescribe* medications for certain minor health problems , including acne, when the treatment and diagnosis are already known. A consultation will also be required so the pharmacist can make sure you meet the prescribing criteria.

To avail yourself of this service, you may need to book an appointment with your family pharmacist. Ask a member of the pharmacy team for more details. Some Uniprix-affiliated pharmacies also offer an online appointment booking service. To locate the store nearest you providing this service, click here. 

*Certain conditions must be respected. Fees may apply. Ask a member of the pharmacy team for more information. Pharmacists alone are responsible for the practice of pharmacy. They offer related services only on behalf of pharmacist-owners.