Why Do I Have Adult Acne?

Your pubescent years are far behind you, but you haven’t outgrown some things. In addition to the awkward, embarrassing memories, you’re haunted by acne. The only good news is that you’re not alone.

Acne is one of the top ten most common skin diseases worldwide, and adult acne has spiked over the past two decades.

When you were a teen, breakouts came with the territory. Now that you’re an adult, it’s time to get answers to your seemingly never-ending pimple problem.

Many of our patients get stuck spinning their wheels trying this home remedy and that guaranteed-to-work, influencer-backed product. But we know the first step in clearing your skin is figuring out why you’re still struggling with acne.

Here, our team at Sanford Dermatology outlines some of the possible causes of and expert solutions for adult acne.

Acne basics

Everyone, regardless of age, can boil their pimples down to a few fundamental biological truths.

Acne occurs when your skin and pores don’t function properly. Your pores are tiny holes in your skin that release oil and sweat, which are essential for keeping your skin clean and healthy.

However, your pores can also become clogged when there’s too much oil, dirt, and debris. When your pores can’t keep up, they turn into blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and other types of unsightly blemishes.

There are a ton of factors that increase your chances of getting stuck in this skin care nightmare well into adulthood. Here’s a closer look.

You have a hormone problem

Teens are more likely to experience acne during puberty because hormone swings trigger a tsunami of oil from their skin, but they aren’t the only ones who experience fluctuations in hormone levels.

Many adults, especially adult women, go through shifts in their hormones throughout their lives, which causes a slew of frustrating problems, including an increase in skin oil production (and acne as a result).

You’re irritating your skin

Cleansers, razors, and other irritating skin care products disrupt your skin’s natural defense system, causing your skin to kick into protective mode, which triggers inflammation and acne.

Your skin care routine is too oily

Certain skin and personal care products contain oil-based ingredients, which could be causing repeated breakouts. Always check your labels for oily ingredients or ask our team to recommend a breakout-friendly product.

You’re stressed out

Stress is far from a standalone mental health issue. It can affect every facet of your health, down to your skin.

When you’re stressed, your body sets off a biological reaction that signals your adrenal glands to produce more stress hormones, which ramps up oil production and causes acne.

Long-term stress can also mess with your hormones — and we know by now what hormone changes can do to your skin.

You’re not eating a skin-friendly diet

You’ve likely heard that certain foods (sweets, white flour, chocolate, dairy, and greasy foods) contribute to acne. There’s little evidence to back these claims up, but it still stands to reason that eating a balanced diet promotes overall health, including skin health.

Before trying crazy diets, talk to our team about the diet-skin connection. You may start tracking your meals and seeing if certain types of food trigger a breakout.

You have an underlying skin or health problem

Your skin may be more prone to breakouts because you have skin issues that result in excess oil, clogged pores, and even the presence of acne-causing bacteria. Other health issues, such as rosacea, keratosis pilaris, Cushing syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can either resemble acne or exacerbate a breakout.

Your medications are working against your skin

Corticosteroids, antidepressants, hormonal birth control — the list goes on. There’s a wide range of prescription medications that can cause acne flare-ups, so make sure you tell us all of the medications you’re taking (including supplements) so we can narrow down the cause of your breakouts.

Your family is to blame

You read that correctly. Some of us are simply genetically predisposed to struggle with acne. So look around your family tree and see if you’re not the only one with adult acne.

Taking back your skin

The answer to adult acne isn’t always easy, and it’s much harder to figure out on your own. That’s why we should always be your first call when you’re ready to tackle your acne problem.

We take a holistic approach to all skin care issues and personalize your treatment plan to fit your needs. We may recommend one or more of the following:

Prescription-strength salicylic azelaic acid ointments
Removal of whiteheads or blackheads (extractions)
Topical or oral retinoid medications, such as Isotretinoin
Oral contraceptives (for women)
Chemical peels
Oral antibiotics

Our team also has a list of recommended products for every skin type and need.

It’s time to get expert help for your acne. Call or click today to schedule a consultation at any of our three conveniently located offices serving Greater Sanford, Pittsboro, and Lillington, North Carolina.