Many 40- and 50-something women, including those with minimal to no history of acne, find themselves dealing with wrinkles and breakouts at the same time. What kind of cruel joke is Mother Nature playing when she deals our skin the double-whammy of wrinkles and acne? Adult breakouts, particularly for women, are generally tied to one of two sources: hormones or the overuse of products that are too emollient for their skin type. If you have fallen for the widespread claim that an aging face is a "mature" skin type and therefore needs a range of rich, ultra-moisturizing products, you may have set your skin up for the breakouts you're experiencing now. If that is not the case and your skin-care routine remains suitable for your overall skin type, you may want to visit your physician to have your hormone levels checked. The role of androgens (male hormones) should be carefully considered, especially if you are entering or have just finished menopause. A surge in androgens can cause acne flares, particularly as estrogen levels drop. Your physician will discuss treatment options to help balance hormones, which should reduce (if not eliminate) breakouts. As for how to treat blemishes and wrinkles, my previous advice for both still applies. Blemishes must be treated with a gentle, water-soluble cleanser, a topical disinfectant (a gentle benzoyl peroxide product), a beta hydroxy acid exfoliant (BHA/salicylic acid), and by avoiding products that are thick, greasy or occlusive. For fighting wrinkling, lightweight toners, serums, or very thin lotions loaded with antioxidants, cell-communicating ingredients, and ingredients that mimic the structure of healthy skin can improve the skin's condition and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.....


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