Adult acne: causes and treatment

Although we usually associate acne with adolescence and puberty, adults can also suffer from it. Unlike adolescent acne, which is characterised by numerous small spots, in adults there are only a few spots but they can cause deep pockmarks and scars in their skin.

What is adult acne?

Although most of the adult population are not affected by acne, it is not unusual for it to appear after around 30 years of age.

Adult or post-adolescent acne appears after around 25 and disappears again after 45, as women approach the menopause. Adult acne can be a continuation of adolescent acne, but there are people who despite not having acne in their youth, they do get this problem later on in their adult life.

Causes of adult acne

• Hormonal alterations. In the case of women this is due to an imbalance, usually during menstruation, pregnancy or the menopause. In men it is due to excessive production of androgens.
• Stress. This increases the secretion of cortisol, a hormone that is regulated by mechanisms that are similar to androgens.
• Blocked pores due to excessive sebum which causes infections and inflammation, leading to spots.
• Drugs and medicines such as cortisone, anabolic agents, hormonal therapy, contraception, etc., are also responsible for post-adolescent acne.
• Cosmetics. Some cosmetics can cause an excessive amount of oil in the skin which blocks pores leading to the appearance of acne
• Smoking. This can worsen existing acne or trigger it.
• Symptom of other illnesses, such as Type 2 diabetes, endocrinal diseases, or in the case of women the so-called polycystic ovary syndrome, which is characterised by an increase in androgens and a decrease in oestrogen levels.
• Diet. Although there is no hard and fast evidence that any particular food can cause acne, it is always best to keep to a low-fat diet. Too many sweet or fatty foods could be behind an outbreak of acne.
• Over-exposure to the sun. This can dehydrate our skin, even oily skins. This is when our sebaceous glands over-produce, causing small spots and imperfections.

Types of adult acne

• Mild or comedogenic acne. This is a mild type causing blackheads, pimples and papules. These are normal spots or zits: red, small and firm, without any pus.
• Moderate or papulo-pustular acne. Papules and pustules are mixed, and our skin becomes red and inflamed. This can leave pockmarks or scars on our skin. Pustules are spots containing pus. They usually form in our sweat glands and in hair follicles, such as in men’s beards.
• Severe or conglobata acne. This is the least common form of acne. A large number of inflamed imperfections appear such as papules and pustules, which can join together to form nodules or cysts that can be very painful. Nodules are spots with pus in the deepest layer of our skin. Cysts contain dead cells and infectious bacteria. Both of them can cause scars and pockmarks on our skin.

Possible treatments

• Medicine containing retinol (Vitamin A), which opens up follicles and keeps the skin clean.
• Oral antibiotics which fight off the infection and can also be anti-inflammatory. It is always best to consult a specialist dermatologist.
• A combination of creams containing benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics.
• Oral contraceptives to regulate hormone balance in women.
• Clean your skin with glycolic acid and salicylic acid to regulate excess oil. Daily facial hygiene in the morning and at night is essential. Use specific cleaners which contain gentle, purifying active ingredients.
• Sulphur acts as a bactericide and reduces inflammation.
• Detox treatments. In our personal care and beauty section, you will be able to find products to treat the effects of acne such as acne patches, exfoliating gel or exfoliating brushes, among others.
• Don’t touch your spots. When you touch or burst spots, you only increase the damage and cause scars that can be hard to get rid of.
• Finally, to avoid acne from appearing, you will have to change some of your facial hygiene habits, stop smoking and keep a healthy diet.