You may have thought you could kiss your blemishes and breakouts goodbye once you passed the teen years, but for many adults, that is simply not the case. Acne can continue well into adulthood, perpetuating the embarrassment and pain of this skin condition.

The good news is that there are now effective ingredients to keep breakouts at bay while conditioning and toning your skin. We will look at three key ingredients here, as well as a skin care line that offers all three ingredients in their formulas.

Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid is an alpha hyrdoxy acid derived from sugar cane. It is best known as an exfoliating agent used in many skin care products, particularly formulas designed for treating adult acne.

Glycolic acid works by penetrating the outer layers of skin to slough off dead, dry skin cells, leaving softer, smoother skin underneath. This ingredient is a fairly potent, and a little goes a long way. It works best when it is combined with soothing agents that replenish moisture to the skin that glycolic acid tends to strip away.

Glycolic acid also makes skin more sensitive to the sun, so protection is recommended whenever you use skin care products containing glycolic acid.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is another popular ingredient in adult acne skin care products. This beta hydroxyl acid is particularly effective in treating whiteheads and blackheads. Like glycolic acid, salicylic acid penetrates follicles, getting underneath the outer layer of the skin to shed dead, dry skin cells that lead to dull looking skin and breakouts.

The substance may cause minor skin irritation at the beginning, which can be easily remedied by using smaller amounts of the product at first, until the skin becomes accustomed to it.

Vitamin A

While oral vitamin A has been used for years to treat adult acne, a topical version of the substance is also found in many acne skin care products. Usually labeled Retin A on formula listings, this vitamin A derivative works by exfoliating the skin and is particularly effective in treating blackheads.

Like the other products, Retin A can cause redness and irritation when it is used in excess. It also makes skin more sensitive to UV rays, so sun protection is a must.

The Triple Threat

While all of these ingredients are effective in treating adult acne, it is difficult to find a skin care line that offers all three in a triple threat. Md Formulations is one of the few companies that provides all three of these substances in their acne skincare line.

The first step in the Alpha Beta Daily Peel offers a hefty dose of glycolic acid and salicylic acid to effectively exfoliate skin and prevent future breakouts. The second step provides soothing vitamins, including vitamin A to recondition skin, leaving it softer and smoother after treatment.

Treating adult acne is very possible, as long as you use the right ingredients to do so. With these three substances in your skincare repertoire, you can keep breakouts at bay and enjoy softer, clearer skin.