Effective remedies for adult acne

Here are the common reasons adults experience acne, as well as effective treatments for the problem.

You're no longer a teenager, so why are you still getting acne? Adult acne is a common problem, even for those who didn't have it when they were younger.

Changes in stress levels, hormonal imbalances and diet modifications can all affect the skin, but thankfully there are treatment methods.

Sebum: The main culprit for adult acne is sebum, an oil produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin.

• When overproduced, sebum clogs the pores and inflames them. Bacteria on the skin further aggravates the acne. Overproduction of oil can be caused by genetics, too much stress or seasonal changes.

Hormonal imbalances: Hormonal imbalances are another main reason for adult acne.

• An overabundance of either male or female hormones or fluctuating levels of these hormones can lead to breakouts.
• Women have added hormonal changes due to menstruation, perimenopause, pregnancy and menopause.

Other causes of adult acne include a poor diet and the overuse or incorrect use of skincare products that may actually irritate the skin.

Most over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatments are developed for teenagers and should be avoided by adults.

Clean skin: The best way to avoid pimples is to keep the skin clean. By washing your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser, you can keep acne at bay.

• To wash your face, use your fingers instead of a washcloth and rinse with warm or lukewarm water. Hot water dries out the skin and may irritate it.
• If you wear makeup, be certain to remove all traces during cleansing. The wrong cosmetics can clog the pores and irritate the skin which can lead to breakouts.

Face lotion: It's also important to use an OTC face lotion that contains retinol, a derivative of vitamin A that helps to unclog pores.

• You can also unclog pores by using a face sauna on a regular basis, or by simply boiling water on the stove and bending over the steam for five to ten minutes.
• Other useful skin care products are lotions or gels that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide as one of the main ingredients. Both of these chemicals are good at drying out pimples and killing bacteria on the skin.
• If you want to fade acne scars, a good choice is a lotion containing glycolic acid.
• For severe forms of acne, a dermatologist can prescribe an antibiotic taken orally or applied topically.

Acne is a problem at any age. If you are an adult who suffers from the skin condition, the treatment can be more challenging. For most adults with acne, it's trial and error to find the right combination of products to combat the problem.