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Acne is a source of frustration for a lot of adults, and it is more common than you might think. The treatments that you found effective for your acne when you were a teenager may not work so well now. Most over the counter remedies can dry and irritate the skin, and can even make your acne worse.

Many people try numerous treatments before they find one that works for them. This can make you wonder if the condition you have is true acne, or some other ailment. Hopefully, this article will clear up some of the confusion.

Many think of acne as a problem that only affects teenagers, but the truth is, it can persist into your thirties, and some even have it when they reach 40. Any case of acne that hasn’t cleared up for good by the time you reach your mid-twenties is considered to be persistent. Adult acne often comes with deep, tender and irritated large nodules, and it is far more common in women. Persistent adult acne usually crops up on the lower part of the face- usually around the mouth, chin, and jaw line.

Adults can get late onset acne, too. Unfortunately, women are far more vulnerable than men. Even those who haven’t had a breakout in years can get big, inflamed pimples, and those who have never had acne can get it too. Late onset acne can often be brought about by hormone imbalances, like those that happen during menopause.

Regardless of when it happens, all acne cases have the same basic cause- an overproduction of sebum, combined with too many dead skin cells and bacteria in the pores. Overstimulation of the sebaceous glands can, like we said, be triggered by hormones. Many women break out right around the time that their menstrual cycle begins, or when they are pregnant.

Some medicines are known to aggravate acne. If you are on birth control, you’ve probably seen a reduction in your acne. Suddenly stopping the pills can make your skin flare up. If your pill contains estrogen and progestins, it can bring your acne under control, but if the pill only contains progestins, your acne can get worse.

Other drugs can cause acne, too. Medicines like corticosteroids and anticonvulsants can cause acne, but you should never stop taking them because they make your acne worse. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned.

It is known that acne has a genetic component. About half of adults who have acne also have an immediate family member (a parent, child, or brother/sister) who has it too. The genetic link isn’t completely understood, so more research is needed.

Stress is also known to trigger acne, and this is particularly true for women. Research has shown a link between higher stress and more serious cases of acne, especially in women that have stressful jobs and home lives. A body under stress makes more stress hormones, which in turn induce the glands to make more oil.

If you have a stubborn case of acne, it could be aggravated by certain hair care and skin products. Many of these contain a ton of oil, which can trigger cosmetic-induced acne. Steer clear of those products containing oil- instead choose non-comedogenic products. They’ll not only help to control your acne, they also don’t usually irritate sensitive skin.

Acne can be a warning sign of a more serious medical condition. When adult acne is accompanied by thickening facial hair, balding, and irregular menstrual cycles, it can be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome, or an adrenal gland disorder. It could also mean that the woman has a tumor on an adrenal gland or ovary. If you are experiencing any of these signs, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. Testing can find the cause of the symptoms, and your acne won’t go away until they are treated.

If you don’t have any serious medical problems, your case of adult acne can probably be controlled with acne therapy. A lot of adults that have acne don’t get treatment for it, because they think it’s something they’ll just have to live with. While adult acne can be difficult to treat, it is possible to bring it under control and even eliminate it.

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