Acne: It’s Not Just For Teenagers – Fighting Acne in Your Life After 25

Whether it is a stray pimple every now and then or a full on attack of acne, adults can suffer skin problems the same way as teenagers can. In fact, although it is considered a hallmark of adolescence, for women between the ages of 25 and 40, one in five will find she has this distressing problem. Here is some information on what causes acne and what we can do to treat it:

• Save

I am a Grown Woman, Why Do I Have to Deal With This?

Acne is not on a timer and does not automatically exit the premises when you when turn 18. However, adult acne is different from teen acne. The root of the issue has to do with an overproduction of sebum. It clogs your pores which become a magnet for bacteria. Once bacteria infiltrate a pore, the pore can become inflamed and turn into that familiar red spot on your face. An overproduction of sebum can be the result of hormone fluctuation. Hormones fluctuate for many reasons: pregnancy, menopause, birth control and stress. Other culprits of bacteria in pores are contaminated make-up and touching your face with dirty hands. Some medications have side effects that result in adult acne.

Now That I Know Why I Have It, How Do I Get Rid of It?

Depending on the cause of the acne, there may not be anything you can do to eliminate it entirely. There are, however, ways to minimize breakouts:

• Evaluate Your Skin Care Routine: Make sure all the products you are using are oil-free and non-comedogenic. Use products that are gentle and will not irritate your skin. Use a moisturizer with retinol in it or ask your doctor for prescription strength. Retinol will help clean your pores to reduce or eliminate bacteria. Mildly exfoliate your skin a few times a week with a product that will not strip it but will clean your pores. To treat a break out after it occurs, try treating spots with a product that contains benzoyl peroxide, it helps kill bacteria.
• Get a Facial: Since keeping our skin bacteria free is our main directive, getting pores cleaned professionally can be an excellent option. Facials may be pricey, but most likely they will end up saving you money on products in the long run.
• See Your Dermatologist: For some reason, women tend to wait too long to seek professional help and try to fix their acne on their own. Your dermatologist has an arsenal of acne fighting weapons. There is no need to struggle with over the counter treatments if what you could actually use is a prescription. See your doctor before your acne gets out of control.
• Consider Purchasing A Handheld Heat Devices: Recently there have been new products developed to fight acne at home. These little devices shoot heat through the pimples and kill the bacteria inside. While they are expensive, studies have show that they can minimize the length of a breakout.

It certainly does not seem fair that a grown woman has to revisit her youth in this unpleasant way, but at least there are more options than ever before to help fight your adult acne. Not every solution will work for every face. Keep trying until you find the right treatment for you.

Guest author Sidra Newton is a freelance blogger for Access rx where you can order medications online. To learn more you can watch their Accessrx Videos on YouTube.