Kate Winslet was annoyed to see people say her skin is glowing
Kate Winslet was left a little confused when the press starting commenting on her dewy, glowing skin as she suffers from adult acne.
The 38 year old was frustrated to read about her perfect complexion as she was suffering from cystic acne.
Speaking to Marie Claire she said: "I had a terrible bout of acne after I turned 30. I kept reading about my sodding dewy complexion and thinking, 'Oh s**t, look at me, I'm covered in bloody spots, proper cystic bumps, if only they knew.' "
And Kate isn’t the only star to suffer from it either; Victoria Beckham and Cameron Diaz have had to deal with it too.
Dr Daron Seukeran, sk:n dermatologist, comments: “Adult acne is an extremely common health condition in the UK and something that can have a massive impact on a person’s confidence. Unfortunately, because it isn’t a condition that is widely discussed, people rarely know who to contact for help.”
Acne is a global concern, (indeed it’s the most common skin complaint, with 80% of 11 to 30 year olds suffering from it at some point). In line with this, new statistics reveal that the number of adults seeking treatment for their skin conditions with sk:n clinics has risen 20% each year over the last half decade.
Dr Daron Seukeran continues: “Acne sufferers are sensitive to certain hormones that cause increased oil production and a higher turnover of skin cells, leading to changes in bacteria and ultimately, to outbreaks. While there is no cure for acne, treatments are available to help reduce outbreaks and their severity. Each person’s acne is different and consequently there is no set formula to help alleviate the problem, it’s essential that people receive professional advice and solutions individually tailored to their skin.
“GPs are limited in what they can prescribe or advise, whilst products readily available in chemists are unlikely to make a significant impact on severe skin problems.”
Sarah Wood (40), a mum of three from Cheltenham, has been suffering from acne for over 18 years and shares her story on camera:
“I was the first kid at secondary school to get spots…I always thought they would get better…in fact, they were worse in my thirties than they had ever been. I looked in the mirror and all I could see was spots and remember thinking that I don’t want to be the spotty person anymore…I want to see what I actually look like underneath the spots…I recently discovered sk:n clinics who offer a lot more than just medication. They offer consultations, treatments and medication, whatever your needs, to help with your acne and all under one roof”.
Skincare guru Caroline Hirons gives a definitive guide to acne on her blog, which you will spend hours and hours absorbing, but we think her ultimate tip and something a lot of people get wrong is: “Avoid soaps and foaming washes. These break down the acid mantle of your skin (think: armour) and make your skin a 10 on the 1-10 acid/alkaline scale.”
Dr Stefanie Williams, Dermatologist and Medical Director at European Dermatology London (www.eudelo.com) dispels two adult acne myths for us.
Acne is just a teenage problem
“If only this was the case. From my experience in clinic, adult acne seems to have become much more common in recent years. We see more and more patients way into their 30’s and 40’s with persistent acne problems. No longer just an unpleasant by-product of adolescence, many people continue to suffer with breakouts and pimples well into their adult lives, with 25% of men and 50% of women suffering from acne at some point. The exact reason behind this increase is unknown, but contributing factors include overloading the skin with lipid-rich anti-ageing products, a diet high in sugar and processed carbohydrates, and high everyday stress levels.”
Acne is completely genetic so there’s not much you can do to avoid it
“ Acne is a mix of genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors. Contributing factors include:
- overproduction of keratin (a dead skin material) in the hair follicle (pore), which causes blockage of the hair follicle
- overproduction of sebum (skin oil) in the hair follicle, which can’t reach the skin surface. This will lead to development of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). Certain acne bacteria can then grow around that blockage and cause inflammation (i.e. papules and pustules)
- hormonal imbalances (too strong influence of male hormones)
- disposition for inflammation
Apart from genetic factors, lifestyle habits such as overloading the skin with heavy anti-ageing creams, a diet high in sugar and processed carbohydrates, and high stress levels are all factors, which can be influenced.
Anybody with acne needs to be fully assessed and treated by a Dermatologist. Not only because acne usually needs some sort of prescription treatment, but also because it might not even be acne you’re suffering with. There are a number of other, very similar looking skin problems including rosacea and perioral dermatitis which even GP’s often mistake for acne. If you had toothache, you’d go straight to your dentist wouldn’t you? So make sure to consult a Dermatologist.”
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