It’s one of life’s injustices that acne persists into adulthood. And it often pops up during times of stress, which usually just perpetuates the stress. Adult acne is different from teen acne: it’s often a result of excess sebum (oil) production brought on by stress hormones, it tends to explode on the jaw, chin and neck, and it takes longer for adult skin to bounce back after a breakout (oh joy). Never mind the hormone fluctuations around pregnancy, which can also cause some nasty acne. The good news is that acne prevention is possible, and actually pretty fantastic, according to the regimen suggested by Holly Sherrard, education manager at The International Dermal Institute Canada, which also researches and develops Dermalogica products. “Try reducing stress levels with exercise and regular massages,” Sherrard suggests. “Eat a proper diet, drink plenty of water to keep your skin and body at its healthiest, change your pillowcase regularly to reduce dirt on the skin, look for mineral-based make-up products and avoid artificial colours.”