Adult Acne - Things You should Know

Acne does not end with adolescence; if you think that you’ll never have to worry about acne again in your adult life, think again. Adult acne is almost as common as teenage acne with many adults going through the same skin condition they battled with as youths.

Acne affects 1 in 5 women over the age of 25. Just 1 in 10 men however are affected by adult acne. This type of acne is more difficult to deal with than teenage acne mainly because most of the acne treatments available in the market these days are aimed at teenagers. No worries though, there are still a lot of ways you can keep acne away and maintain a clear skin.

What Causes Adult Acne?

This kind of acne is rarely caused by poor hygiene, contrary to popular belief, so scrubbing your face raw in an effort to keep it clean won’t help much. Scrubbing may even exacerbate the problem.

The causes of adult acne in adult include clogged pores, hormone levels and weight issues.

Clogged Pores

Clogged pores are caused by the use of heavy makeup or moisturizers that are considered comedogenic. Comedogenic cosmetics are products that may cause clogged pores depending on the person’s skin type. comedogenic products should be avoided if you have oily skin. Also, make it a point to remove makeup before going to bed.

<-- Click Here to Discover How to Cure Acne At Any Age, Even If You’ve Tried Everything And Nothing Has Ever Worked For You Before -->

Hormone Levels

Adult acne is more commonly triggered by hormonal imbalance. Stress is one of the causes of hormonal imbalance. There is a hormone in the body called androgens. When a person is stressed out, his body tends to produce androgens in excess which in turn can over stimulate the sebaceous glands which produce sebum or oil on the skin. Too much oil can clog pores and trigger an acne outbreak. Aside from stress, certain health conditions can also boost androgen production levels.

In women, their menstrual cycle can also cause their hormone levels to fluctuate which is why some women notice acne flares just before their period begins. This is due to the change in their hormone levels. Women who have excessive facial hair due to hormones and those who are prone to getting ovarian cysts may notice that they are also prone to adult acne.

Weight Issues

People who are overweight tend to suffer from adult acne more often than people who have normal weight. This is more due to the types of food a person consumes than how much a person weighs though. Oily foods like pizza and fries not only cause weight gain but the high amount of oil also cause skin to become oily and more prone to acne outbreaks. Foods with high amounts of carbohydrates and sugar can also cause acne for some people and not just obesity.

Treatments for Adult Acne

To find proper treatment, it is important to first identify the cause of this skin condition. It is recommended to wash your face gently with mild soap. Topical medications that contain salicylic acid, peroxide or retinol may also be more effective than soap. Some adults who suffer from this skin condition often have dry skin in which case, it is best to consult a dermatologist to find the right balance of treatments.

Prescription medications generally prescribed by a health care specialist can help certain types of acne. When adult acne forms cysts and causes scars, antibiotics may be prescribed to minimize outbreaks. In case the problem is caused by fluctuating hormones, medications like birth control can be prescribed in order to regulate the production of hormones. If you’re planning to become pregnant, some antibiotics and other oral medications must be avoided as they may pose danger to an unborn child.

Lowering stress levels can also minimize adult acne breakouts. One way to reduce stress is to join an activity that keeps the mind balanced and make stress management easier. Meditation techniques and exercise can help reduce stress and avoid the incidence of adult acne. 

<-- Click Here to Discover How to Cure Acne At Any Age, Even If You’ve Tried Everything And Nothing Has Ever Worked For You Before -->