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Causes and Treatment of Acne in Adults

Ms. Smitakshi Guha

5 Min Read

Acne is quite a stubborn inflammatory skin problem that affects many people at some point in their lives. While it is often linked with puberty, it can also affect adults, for a list of reasons. In some, it is mild and is barely even noticeable but in others, it can be quite prominent with bumps and redness spreading over the face and sometimes other parts of the body such as the chest and the back.

People may experience small pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads in mild cases of acne. Whereas, when the acne is severe, it consists of deep cysts, redness, extreme inflammation and irritation. In most cases, adult acne is caused by clogged pores and inflammation of the skin. However, in some cases, acne could be genetic and run in the families for a long time or have several other triggers associated with it. In this article, we will look into the causes and treatment of adult acne. It’s always good to consult a dermatologist for better information and treatment.

Causes Of Adult Acne

These are some of the reasons that lead to acne in adults.

Hormones

When there’s a fluctuation in the hormone levels, it can lead to an imbalance in the skin’s pH, further causing an overproduction of sebum (oil) in the skin. These fluctuations in hormone levels can be triggered by a list of factors such as ageing, pregnancy, the postpartum period, or even breastfeeding. In the majority of cases, hormonal acne appears as deep cysts that are both tender and painful.

causes of adult acne hormones - MFine

Mental stress

Given the current fast-paced lifestyle we have, mental/emotional stress has become too common. From anxiety to nervousness, fear or work/family-related pressure, stress spikes the secretion of cortisol—also known as the stress hormone, which also causes an imbalance in the skin, often resulting in unwanted breakouts.

causes of adult acne mental stress - MFine

Physical stress

Any trauma to the body from external factors can cause hormonal imbalances and also weaken the immune system. It can also cause inflammation and irritation of the skin. Some of the common triggers of such stress include dehydration, sleep deprivation, extreme weather conditions, as well as exposure to environmental irritants. A point to remember is that the severity of your acne can also depend on the intensity of air pollution that your city may have.

causes of adult acne physical stress - MFine

Certain Foods

While there aren’t any concrete links established by experts between foods and adult acne, it has been observed that some foods like dairy, sweets, white flour products, as well as junk food, can worsen your acne situation. Read more on foods that cause acne.

causes of adult acne certain foods - MFine

Clogged pores

Excess oil (sebum) can clog your skin’s pores, resulting in impurities backing up deposits of hair follicles. The result of this is often acne breakouts. This is why it is so important to remove your makeup every time before you hit the bed. Additionally, you can also opt for non-comedogenic products that do not clog your pores. Check this out if you want to know what makeup mistakes you are making and how they are impacting your skin.

causes of adult acne clogged pores - MFine

Bacteria

Propionibacterium is the bacteria that causes acne when it starts building up in the skin. However, this doesn’t mean that people who get acne don’t clean or wash their faces often! These bacteria are notorious and usually dwell way underneath the skin, meaning simply washing the skin’s surface isn’t enough to get rid of them.

causes of adult acne bacteria - MFine

Certain medications

Certain medications have been linked to adult acne, especially corticosteroids, medicines for treating epilepsy, as well as antidepressants. While contraceptives are often used for clearing up acne, there are certain formulations, which may have a reverse effect and cause acne instead. Self-medication is quite harmful, always consult a doctor before taking any medicines.

causes of adult acne certain medications - MFine

Treatment Of Adult Acne

There are many effective home remedies to treat adult acne naturally at home.

Diets rich in vitamin A/E and zinc

Whatever goes inside your body is also important. To get healthy skin you need to eat healthy food rich in necessary vitamins and nutrients. Include almonds, sunflower seeds, peanuts, spinach, other leafy vegetables etc in your diet.

Topical application of tea tree oil

The Australian native Melaleuca alternifolia tree produces tea tree oil, an essential oil that is derived from its leaves. The skin can get less acne if tea tree oil is used. Reduced dryness and irritation were reported by people who used a tea tree oil ointment for acne.

They were delighted with the care they received as well. Long-term usage of oral and topical antibiotics may lead to bacterial resistance; tea tree oil may be a more effective alternative. Always dilute tea tree oil before putting it on your skin due to its strong potency.

Moisturizers

Wash your face two times a day with moderate soap and water. Use an over-the-counter acne treatment product that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. If your acne is severe, see a dermatologist for a prescription remedy. Use a gentle foaming cleaner to do away with excess oil. Choose oil-free or non-comedogenic moisturizers. Blotting papers can help make your skin shine throughout the day.

Consumption of green tea

Drinking green tea can help you stay healthy because it has a high antioxidant content. It might also lessen acne. This is probably because green tea’s polyphenols aid in the reduction of inflammation and the battle against germs, two major acne-causing factors. Meanwhile, if you want to know how to keep your skin healthy, check this out.

Conclusion

Now that you’re aware of some of the possible reasons behind adult acne, make sure you get yourself checked by a dermatologist who can make an accurate diagnosis and give you the right care plan post-that. You can speak to India’s leading dermatologists online on MFine and get one step closer to having healthy skin.