Acne, it’s a double whammy this time of year. When it’s the beginning of October, teens and tweens are “faced” with a problem. It affects 85 percent of all teenagers, making it the prevalent problem of adolescence. “Everyone gets it, but I have a lot of friends who have it worse than I do,” said 12-year-old Johnathan Trent of Valparaiso. “The best thing to do is to wash your face as much as you can and watch what you eat.” But according to Dr. Hilary Baldwin, dermatologist and president of the American Acne and Rosacea Society, lifestyle changes and new products can help young people reduce acne. “This is one of the worst times of the year, because once you hit October, students have been dealing with the stress of the first month of back to school, and the result is acne breaking out,” she said. Baldwin said ideally, the best hope is to stop problems before they start. She cites stress as a factor that sets off specific chemical and hormonal reactions in the body. Some scientific evidence shows people who are “acne-prone” may experience increased oil production in pores. Along with the shedding of skin cells in the pore, and the presence of a bacteria called P.acnes, the ingredients help create acne. “We have many more options today than were available to us to help patients 20 years ago,” Baldwin said. “Ultimately, we want to kill the bacteria that develops under the skin to cause acne to form.” One of the newest products, available by prescription, Dr. Baldwin recommends is from Coria Laboratories called Atralin Gel, which is prized not only because it contains benzoyl peroxide but also a patented combination of ingredients to hydrate the skin, reducing irritation. As for over-the-counter options, a product with proven results is Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Eliminating Spot Gel, which contains ingredients clinically proven to clear congested pores. Baldwin tells her young patients they shouldn’t blame their parents for bad skin, since acne is not “inherited.” “There are so many studies and research in this subject, but much of it still remains inconclusive,” she said.

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