Adult Acne

Adult acne is incredibly frustrating. We at Acne Skin Site hear all the time, “How am I breaking out as an adult?! Isn’t this only supposed to happen as a teenager?” Unfortunately, no. Adult acne is quite common and is caused by one factor, though many things can trigger acne to form.

Causes

Adult acne is caused by sebum, an oily substance created by your skin’s sebaceous glands. The sebum forms, clogs your pores, which in turn attracts and traps bacteria and germs. All this combined leads to a whole lot of painful acne. It is mainly a hormonal issue which causes this acne and can be from either an overproduction of androgens (male hormones) or from an imbalance in both male and female hormones (estrogen). Being premenopausal or going through menopause, being pregnant, dealing with stresses in life, and lack of sleep and proper diet and exercise can all lead to adult acne. It has been found that certain cosmetics, especially those with oil and parabens added, and certain medications like corticosteroids can cause acne as well.

Treatment

Unfortunately, many topical creams and medications for acne are created for teenagers and will not effectively benefit adults. Here are some options for you:

Prescription Medication

Clindamycin is an awesome topical cream for fighting acne and helps kill bacteria that triggers acne. Tetracycline is also effective in fighting acne which is taken orally. For spot treatment acne, use benzoyl peroxide cream. We recommend only using this treatment at night because it can dry out your skin. Use only white bed sheets when using this product because it can bleach colored sheets. Speak with your dermatologist about what the best prescription is for you! There are a few other recommendations he or she may make.

Cleansers

Use a gentle exfoliating cleanser morning and night to keep your face clean from bacteria and germs. Dermalogica has incredible cleansers that are gentle on even the most sensitive of skin. It is a little pricier, though worth it, but if you are on a budget, cleansers like Cetaphil and Aquanil will be loving to your tender skin.

Moisturizers and Creams

Only use an oil-free moisturizer on any skin type to keep your skin hydrated, but free of the oils that can build up in your pores and cause acne. There are some incredible retinol products that you can find over-the-counter to clear your pores and minimize fine lines and wrinkles as well! To clear your skin of dark spots and scarring, use products that contain salicylic and glycolic acids.

Again, it is important to speak with your dermatologist before trying an array of treatments. Laser treatments may also be effective for you so don’t give up hope! There are ways to clear your adult acne! Good luck and share your success stories with us!

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