If you’re a teen, you’re probably no stranger to acne. Teens have enough to worry about with schoolwork, new social situations and growing into adults, they really don’t need unsightly facial blemishes. Nevertheless, nature’s cruel joke is that some teen acne is almost inevitable. Why is teen acne such a problem, and is there anything you can do about it?

Why Is Teen Acne So Common?

To understand why teen acne is so common it’s important to understand what causes acne. Acne occurs when sebum, naturally occurring oil in the skin, combines with dead skin cells and other debris to clog pores. This clog is acted upon by acne causing bacteria and the result can be the red, raised bumps known as acne. An overproduction of sebum can mean an excess of acne. We don’t know what determines the level of sebum production in each individual, but we do know that puberty brings with it an excitation of hormones, which often results in the sebaceous glands going into overdrive and producing more sebum. This is why we often see people develop more serious acne issues during their teen years.

How Can You Treat Teen Acne?

You should certainly start by practicing good hygiene with standard soap and water. Regular hand and face washing and showering is good for general health, as well as good for getting rid of dead skin cells and other skin debris that may clog pores. A quality exfoliant is also good for this purpose. It’s important to know that good hygiene means washing in moderation, as excessive washing can dry out and irritate skin. If regular good hygiene isn’t getting you the results you want, consider benzoyl peroxide for teen acne. You can apply a topical benzoyl peroxide solution to specific trouble areas, but if you want to fade a larger area fast, and/or make sure teen acne is less likely to return, you’ll want to use a complete acne care system with benzoyl peroxide. The benzoyl peroxide unclogs the pores, getting rid of that excess sebum. The other ingredients in the treatment system can restore and revitalize while keeping skin hydrated, which is crucial to avoid skin drying and flaking as a result of the treatment.

Continued Treatment of Teen Acne

Teen acne can be stubborn, and to get it to go away and keep it away may take a concerted effort. If you’re using a benzoyl peroxide based acne care system, make sure you use it as instructed, which will probably mean twice a day every day. Don’t give up if you don’t see immediate results. It may take some people weeks to notice a significant different, but when it comes, it can change one’s life. Also remember that once your acne goes away, you will want to continue treatment. Your body will continue to produce sebum, although the level of production may decline as you get older, so you’ll need to keep using benzoyl peroxide to get rid of the new excess sebum and keep pores unclogged.