Why You Have Adult Acne And How To Rid Yourself Of It

Many people believe that acne is only an issue you have in your teens, but if you’re an adult who still gets outbreaks, you’re not alone. Over fifty percent of women over 25 suffer from adult acne.

Adult acne, which can range from the occasional zit to severe, cystic lesions, is more common in women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and even 50s. What do you do then? Don’t pop your zits is the first guideline that still holds true from high school. The likelihood of leaving a scar is substantially higher if you manipulate the acne.

Here’s how you can exert authority over the circumstance. For adults, acne can be extremely annoying. A treatment that was so effective when we were teenagers may now be ineffective or even make acne worse. If this occurs, you could question whether those spots are actually acne. Do adults really get acne, after all?

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Reasons For Adult Acne

Acne does occur in adults. Many adults, still struggle with acne. Even adults have the potential to develop acne for the first time. This is what dermatologists refer to as “adult-onset acne.” The majority of ladies who experience it are menopausal women. Adult acne affects women more frequently than it does males. Adult acne is most likely brought on by one or more of the following factors:

Fluctuating Hormone Levels

Breakouts can be caused by an imbalance. Hormone changes are common in women: Just before their periods, during perimenopause, menopause, and pregnancy. Following stopping (or commencing) the use of birth control tablets.

Stress

Stress and acne flare-ups have been linked by researchers. Our bodies manufacture more androgens, a type of hormone, in reaction to stress. Acne may result from these hormones stimulating the skin’s oil glands and hair follicles. This explains why acne, when we are under constant stress, can be a persistent issue.

Genetics

Does a parent, brother, sister, or other close blood relative suffer from acne? According to research findings, some people may be genetically predisposed to developing acne. Adult acne is more common in people with this propensity.

Skin And Hair Care Products

Read the labels on your skincare and hair care products if you suffer from adult acne.

Ensure that each container has one of the following words printed on it: Non-comedogenic, Non-acnegenic, Oil-free, Never clogs pores. Make sure one of these phrases is present in your moisturizer, cleanser, sunscreen, and all other products.

Acne is least likely to be brought on by these products.

Side Effects Of Medication

Some medication can cause acne as a negative effect. Continue taking the medication but consult the doctor who recommended it if you believe it may be causing your acne or aggravating it.

Find out if acne could be a negative effect. Ask your doctor whether you can switch medications if acne is one of the probable adverse effects. You might wish to visit a dermatologist who can help you control the acne if you are unable to take another medication.

Rosacea

Acne rosacea is another variety of adult acne. A common inflammatory skin disorder called rosacea causes sensitive skin, frequent flushing, and redness in the middle of the face. However, they also develop pimples, papules, and pustules in addition to the redness.

Contrary to hormonal acne, which often affects the jawline and neck, acne rosacea outbreaks happen on the nose and cheeks where people flush.

How To Get Rid Of Adult Acne

You should see a dermatologist if your acne doesn’t get better on its own. There are treatments that work. A dermatologist frequently employs two or more therapies. Almost every instance of acne is treatable with the assistance of a dermatologist and a little patience.

Check Your Birth Control

It’s also important to look into any potential skin effects of your birth control method.

Birth control tablets with estrogen, which prevents breakouts, have lost favor as progesterone-based birth control techniques such as hormonal IUDs and other progesterone-based devices have grown in popularity. For some women, progesterone can result in breakouts, although many women are unaware that their IUDs alter their hormonal balance.

The hormone progesterone peaks the week before your period and stimulates oil glands, increasing sebum and oil production. Since acne is more prevalent during that phase, having progesterone continuously makes your body virtually constant in the “week before your period” phase.

However, that does not imply that you should remove your IUD. Oral medication spironolactone can help regulate your hormones and calm oil gland production.

Manage Your Stress Levels

Stress is a big factor in breakouts. Adult acne shares many similarities with teenage acne, which results from an increase in hormones that causes oil glands to overreact.

Stress hormone levels are rising dramatically, which can potentially contribute to acne that develops later in life. For instance, the stress hormone cortisol increases the amount of oil produced by skin glands, resulting in outbreaks. It is essentially impossible to completely eradicate stress.

Look for stress-reducing activities because stress makes cortisol production rise. Anything that helps lower your stress level, whether it be exercise, yoga, meditation, or getting enough sleep, can have a significant impact on your skin.

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Change Your Diet

Unfortunately, it is likely true that the proverbial “sweets are bad for your skin” is accurate. Personally, I believe that the main nutritional cause of acne is sugar. It causes a lot of redness and inflammation because it is particularly pro-inflammatory.

Other causes, such as refined carbohydrates, which raise blood sugar, and dairy products, which contain a lot of hormones, are also mentioned in certain research. And, in case you didn’t already know, water is essential for healthy skin because it moisturizes and aids in the removal of pollutants. So drink more water to help clear up your acne.

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Keep Your Skin Clean

Keeping your face as clean as you can is essential for having clear skin.

• Cleanse your face after working out, in the morning, and in the evening.
• Before working out in the gym, makeup should be taken off.
• When you wear makeup, it simply seeps into your open pores and causes outbreaks.
• Use cleansing wipes both before and after exercising, and if you have acne, look for ones that contain salicylic acid.

• Keep your face and anything else that touches it clean. That requires you to wipe your smartphone each night and wash your pillowcases.
• Keep your hair out your face and keep your hands clean.
• Instead of cleansing wipes, use micellar water like this if you have dry skin. It cleans the skin gently without removing natural oils because it doesn’t do that.

Keeping your skin clean is important, but you should not go overboard. If you wash your face more than twice a day, you run the risk of robbing it of its natural oils, which may cause your skin to produce even more oil to make up for it. In the end, it can result in breakouts and dry skin—the worst of all situations.

Treat Breakouts As They Come

I advise utilizing gentle skincare products along with over-the-counter salicylic acid or retinol treatments for sporadic outbreaks.

A light exfoliator can help remove old skin cells and keep pores from congealing by being used a few times per week. A pleasant, gentle turnover can be achieved by using products like clarifying masks, such as charcoal or clay-based ones, or exfoliating masks, such as those containing lactic acid.

For oilier skin, I suggest La Roche Posay Toleriane and T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum from Drunk Elephant, respectively. Additionally, I enjoy Paula’s Choice, Neutrogena, and Kiehl’s lightweight moisturizers.

Accutane For Severe Adult Acne

Consider using Accutane if you have severe, persistent acne that easily leaves scars. Although treatment has some disadvantages, it provides you with a shot of never having acne again. 75% of patients are cured.

But be careful to see a dermatologist who is board-certified and can provide the necessary monitoring, as Accutane carries adverse effects like extreme sun sensitivity, a chance of fetal deformity, and depression and mood problems.

It’s usually a last resort, but for people who need a very effective and helpful medication, it is.

See Your Dermatologst

Visit a dermatologist for topical retinoids, a vitamin A derivative that helps promote cellular turnover and enhance skin, such as tretinoin or adapalene, if you experience moderate to frequent outbreaks.

Along with or in place of the retinoids, your doctor might also recommend topical antibiotics like clindamycin or erythromycin.

Retinoids also aid in reducing wrinkles and fine lines by promoting the formation of collagen. A plus for people who have adult acne.

Consult a dermatologist for laser and light therapies that can reduce the size of sebaceous glands, including as photodynamic therapy, smooth beam lasers, and blue light LED treatments. An acne peel might also be recommended by a dermatologist.