Submit your skincare questions to Dr. Agnes, CEO of Herborium and natural medicine expert
For some, acne is a reminder of our younger days, making our teen years, and social lives, that much harder to navigate. For countless others, that problem continues well into adulthood, or begins then, in a condition known as adult acne. Affecting people over the age of 25, this skin condition is common, though rarely talked about, which brings us to the question…
Adult acne, like cystic, inflammatory, or any other type of acne, is usually the result of a hormonal imbalance, and how those hormones interact with the sebaceous glands. These glands, which are responsible for producing sebum, the oily substance that travels through the pores to hydrate and moisturize the skin, can become over active by certain hormones, causing them to create excessive amounts of the oily substance. When combined with dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, bacteria can grow in the pores, possibly leading to breakouts.
If you have adult acne, read on to learn more about your acne type, with some surprising info you may not have already known!
Adult acne can affect people physically, mentally and emotionally. Acne at any age can make for a real headache. Acne has been known to affect the self confidence, self esteem and perceived self worth of an individual, and those examples ring even more true for those with adult acne, many of whom feel as if they should have “grown out of” their condition by now. In fact, a recent study shows that 50% of people surveyed would rather have wrinkles than their adult acne, and nearly half stated that having acne as an adult was even more stressful than when they were teens.
Adult acne is generally classified as two different types – chronic and late-onset. Some people with adult acne have been fighting to keep their complexions clear since high school, but did you know some adult acne can form later in life, affecting those who may never have had problem skin? Persistent acne is considered adult acne that continues from adolescence to adulthood. Late-onset acne occurs later in life, and usually appears during times of hormonal imbalance, such as pre-menstruation in women.
It’s easy to overdo it when it comes to over-drying. There are hundreds of over the counter topical acne treatments out there designed to help with symptoms, but most of these are marketed toward teens, and the harsh ingredients contained within can sometimes be a little too tough on adult skin. Because adult skin tends to run on the drier side, alcohol or acid-based acne topical products may help in moderation, but be careful that you’re not over-drying or your could end up with more zits! Sebum, the oil known to clog pores, is actually a necessary part of maintaining healthy skin, and when we remove too much of it the body triggers the sebaceous glands to produce even more to make up for what was just lost. This can result in more clogged pores, and possibly more breakouts. If you opt to use a medicated topical wash, lotion or spot treatment, be sure to follow up with an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer!
Adult acne is not caused by poor hygiene.Like all forms of acne, the belief that its cause lies in poor hygiene is a myth, and one that unfairly stigmatizes both the condition and the acne-prone person affected by it. Acne is an internal condition triggered by an imbalance of hormones. The best way to treat adult acne is through preventative measures and a combination approach, targeting what leads to clogged pores from within. Of course, keeping the surface of the skin healthy is an essential part of maintaining acne-free skin, but harshly scrubbing, over-washing or extracting pimples can actually lead to further irritation, possibly spreading bacteria, and leading to even more breakouts. The best way to keep skin clean is to gently wash twice daily, and pat skin dry with a clean towel. Wash those pillow cases regularly, and resist the urge to touch your face, as dirt and oil can easily transfer from the fingers.
You don’t have to give up your makeup, you just have to know what to look for. Giving your skin a break from heavy creams, powders and foundations is absolutely something you should do, but if you’ve been struck with adult acne, you don’t have to hang up your products for good. Oil-free formulas tend to help most acne-prone faces look their best in makeup, and non-comedogenic ingredients free of parabens and fragrances can prevent pores from clogging from the surface of your skin.
Acne is actually a quite complex disease and the fact that acne is not something most people “grow out of” says a lot about the way acne should be looked at when aiming to treat it. Obviously, keeping the surface of the skin clean is an important part of any skincare regimen, yet the real issue regarding treatment lies with rebalancing the sebaceous gland activity, which is done from within. AcnEase® specifically inhibits the impact of fluctuating hormone levels on sebaceous gland secretions, and does not affect hormone levels per se, but rather works as a buffer between the hormones and the sebaceous glands, thereby modulating the amount of sebum produced. This helps explain why AcnEase® is equally effective in treating both adolescent and adult acne in both men and women.
If you’ve been struggling with adult acne, or have just noticed a breakout on your face for the first time, have hope. AcnEase is formulated to treat all types of acne, from mild to severe (with a 96% user success rate!).
We want to hear from you! Have any surprising facts about adult acne you don’t see here? What are some of your most tried-and-true ways for fighting your adult acne? Tell us in the comments!