Holistic nutrition and mindset practitioner Roxy Marrone, 26, from London, knew she needed to change her lifestyle when a health condition was impacting her self-esteem
Acne isn’t just a problem for teenagers – it can stick around well into adulthood. In fact, many people battle breakouts in their thirties, forties and fifties. It affects millions worldwide, with studies showing up to 15 per cent of women and 5 per cent of men suffer from the skin condition. So why does it happen and what can be done to treat it?
There are six types of spots caused by acne vulgaris – blackheads, whiteheads, papules (small red bumps that may feel tender), pustules (similar to papules but with a white tip), nodules (large hard lumps) and cysts.
“Cysts are the most severe type of acne spot,” explains Dr Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics. “The large, pus-filled lumps, similar to boils, carry the greatest risk of permanent scarring.”
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Adult acne can be difficult to treat and can have a devastating impact on self-esteem. Research has shown it can also lead to depression or anxiety.
“Depending on the severity, acne can affect your everyday life and impact your self-confidence,” says Dr Perry. “Having acne can have a real impact on emotional wellbeing. When image is so important and social media portrays images of perfectly flawless skin, it can make you feel inadequate, impacting on relationships, work and social life.”
Andreea Costina, CEO and co-founder of Achillea Beauty, agrees, saying, “I’ve worked with clients who refuse to leave the house without make-up, who avoid mirrors, who don’t want to be in photos. They’ve tried everything – expensive products, strict diets, every ‘miracle’ cure. Nothing works. Or nothing sticks.
“That’s why treating acne isn’t just about slapping on a product and hoping for the best. It’s about figuring out what’s causing it and targeting that – otherwise, it just keeps coming back.”
Here, holistic nutrition and mindset practitioner Roxy Marrone shares her story with adult acne and how it shaped her career.
She tells us, “At 24, I noticed I was getting spottier. I couldn’t understand why my chin and jaw kept breaking out or why I was retaining more weight than usual.
“But I was barely eating, overexercising, highly stressed and filling my body with toxins –alcohol, smoking, contraception– everything that disrupts hormones.
“Undereating and stressed to allergies and hormonal acne. It felt like the end. I was isolated and hopeless, and nothing seemed to work.
“Doctors suggested birth control, spironolactone or Accutane, butI knew they would only suppress the issue, not heal it – and I wanted to get to the root cause.
“That’s how Eyeam World was born – my skincare and supplement brand designed to support skin,mind, body and spirit.
“Fortunately, my pharmacist mother was able to whip up a supplement and topical treatment that worked so well for me and we knew we had to share it with others facing the same struggles.”
She adds, “I also changed my lifestyle, reframed negative thoughts (affirmations helped massively), surrounded myself with a great support system and built my own healing toolbox that led me there – Eyeam.”
Who gets adult acne?
“Anyone can develop acne as an adult, but stress and lifestyle factors, like diet and skincare habits, can play a big role,” says aesthetics nurse practitioner Angela Marsh of Step ByStep Aesthetics.“
Acne is affecting a broader demographic range from varied ethnic backgrounds, and individuals from different walks of life are seeking a common goal of having clearer skin,” adds Dr Karishma Hemmady, consultant dermatologist at Stratum Clinics.
Why is it more common in women then men?
Acne is seen more often in women because men tend to have more consistent hormone levels, whereas women go through hormonal shifts. RimasGeiga, of The Glow Bar, says,“Hormonal fluctuations are the primary culprit behind its prevalence in women, particularly around menstrual cycles ,pregnancy and menopause.”
How can you treat it?
A consistent skincare routine is important. Angela advises using gentle, non-comedogenic products. Ingredients likesalicylic acid can also helpkeep breakouts under control. There are prescription options for more stubborn cases, and dermatologists may prescribe topical retinoids and antibiotics.Lifestyle adjustments such as eating a balanced diet and keeping skincare simple can also help.
