Adult Acne

 

What Causes Adult Acne and How Can You Get Rid of It?

It can be quite frustrating and embarrassing to have gone through the teenage years only to find that Adult Acne continues to be a problem.

Just when you think you are well past an age to experience the problem of pimples, they may appear once again to wreak havoc with your social life and appearance. Or you may be one of those rare adults who never had a single breakout until you reached your 20s. In either case, understanding the problem is an important part of treating it.

Is It Hormones?

Much the same as with teen acne, it is thought that hormonal changes are correlated with adult acne, particularly in females. Some women find that the problem occurs more often when they are pregnant, menstruating, before menopause, and in conjunction with stopping or starting oral contraceptives.

Only in rare cases, such as when a woman has polycystic ovary syndrome, can the cause of adult acne be directly attributed to the imbalance of hormones.

The Stress Factor

Stress can be blamed for a variety of afflictions. But it is true that stress has a direct effect on the body. Current research is attempting to prove that there is at least a correlation between stress and adult acne, if not openly naming it as the underlying cause.

This makes sense when you understand how the central nervous system works in response to various environmental stressors. That ages-old fight or flight response makes our adrenal glands release hormones and stimulates the sebaceous glands which product oils in the layer beneath the skin. Overproduction of oil is one of the main acne causes, in addition to the accumulation of dead skin cells that clog hair follicles.

Adult Acne and Lifestyle

Two addictive habits have been linked to the formation of adult acne. These are caffeine and tobacco.

The caffeine found in coffee, tea, and soft drinks is known to produce cortisol, the hormone associated with stress. As mentioned above, the body’s reaction to stress is to produce sebum.

Smokers are at higher risk of developing acne, too. Because it adversely affects blood circulation and contains a high degree of toxic chemicals, smoking can clog the skin’s pores and promote the growth of bacteria which accumulates in the pores

Heredity

Your family history is another factor in whether or not you will experience acne outbreaks as an adult. If members of your immediate family suffered from acne, chances are you will, too.

Cosmetics

Particularly as we age, we tend to start using different cosmetics and other skin care products. Anti-wrinkle creams and skin firming lotions are often formulated with oily or greasy additives. These heavy moisturizing creams can clog your skin’s pores and trap dirt, oils, and bacteria that cause acne. Noncomedogenic and hypoallergenic cosmetics work best for aging skin that is also prone to breakouts.

Luckily, medical advances and new technology have made Adult Acne a fairly easy condition to prevent and treat. There are any number of topical acne products or prescribed medications that can quickly alleviate pimples and other unsightly blemishes. Don’t be embarrassed by your adult acne, act now to get rid of it.