You’ve just hit another milestone in your life: welcome to your mid-twenties! This season of your life includes self-discovery, lessons in love, life-long friendships, perhaps a stable job, and…acne? Can I double it and give it to the next person? Everything else sounded so amazing. Why is my skin changing? How can I stop these breakouts? When did my skincare routine cease to work? There’s got to be another way to way to welcome my mid-twenties.

Take a deep breath with me, N Crowd, because you are not alone in this. Whether you suddenly woke up to an acne breakout you haven’t seen since you were a teenager, or your skin suddenly decided to have a “bad” streak, we can survive this. Let’s get through our mid-twenties skin change together. First, we’re going to have to start with some bodily knowledge to understand this phase of your life. Then, can we finally address these changes in your skin!

Second Puberty? One Wasn’t Enough?

According to Healthline, second puberty isn’t an actual medical term, but this popular phrase is used to address the changes that take place during your twenties, thirties, and even forties! Often, this includes changes in bone mass, muscle strength, and, yes, even your skin! Hormone fluctuations and physical changes aren’t uncommon for someone approaching their mid-twenties. That sudden breakout when you hit 25? Your skin is suddenly becoming oily after years of being dry? Even your hair texture changes a bit. It’s all second puberty!

Your Favorite Products Don’t Work Anymore

Yikes! My favorite face cream is worsening my breakouts. Even worse, my cleanser isn’t getting the job done right anymore. Like any kind of change to your skin, a new skincare routine is required. Stick to the products that still work for you, and place the others that are now irritating on the bench. Changing, red, or oily skin is asking for you to give it some TLC! Garnier offers some advice for changing skin: exfoliate and use salicylic acid for oily skin, or avoid parabens and fragrance for sensitive skin! Overall, focus on hydration, keep applying that SPF, and don’t pick at your breakouts.

Pimple Patches to the Rescue

For the love of it all, do not pick or touch! Your mid-twenties skin is completely different from anything you’ve experienced before, and you don’t want to make it any worse by playing around with breakouts. Instead, opt for these super cute star patches. They’ll soak up all the oily gunk, reduce the appearance of pimples, and they’re cute! I’ve been sporting mine a few days now, and I’ve been stopped a few times by someone that gushed about my pink ones.

Rice Masks and Clean Sheets

Aside from pimple patches, check out this soothing and hydrating DIY rice face mask. Not only will this calm your changing skin, but you can add in a bit of turmeric or rose powder to make your mask yellow or baby pink! Add to that clean, bouncy skin feeling by tossing your bedsheets and pillowcases into the wash. Yes, you heard me! Start getting into a more frequent routine of cleaning the surfaces where your face touches to prevent bacteria from ruining your hard work. Consider doing both at the same time to get into the habit of having clean skin and fresh sheets!

Give Yourself Grace!

Last, but certainly not least, be gentle with your skin, but be gentle with yourself. Your mid-twenties are a time of whirling change, and your skin is in the front seat for this road trip. Instead of stressing, remember that your body is doing the best it can and so are you. Embrace the change and welcome new routines into your life. You’re only in your twenties, after all.