Back to Skin School

You thought once you’d emerged from your teens, kicked acne in the butt and started wearing sunscreen on the regs (kudos) that your skin would just fall into line. But then you hit your late 20s or 30s and – along with a sudden urge to have a Dyson in your life – you’re suddenly blessed with cystic pimples, tiny white unsqueezable bumps or weird blotchy patches around your nose. What fresh hell is this? Several factors contribute to skin conditions in adults, according to aesthetic practitioner Sarah Hudson of Skin by Sarah Hudson. “Emotional or work stress, environmental influences and caffeine, alcohol and rich foods can play havoc with our immune system, which [in turn] manifests through our skin,” she explains. “Additionally, women’s skin is affected by hormonal imbalances [during] menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.” The challenges these changes bring are emotional as well as physical. One studyrevealed that skin conditions are associated with anxiety and depression. The good news? Effective treatments do exist, and experts are constantly discovering new ways to diagnose and address issues such as adult acne. Get clued up and take control with our guide. Class is now in session.