Developing acne in your late twenties can be frustrating and a challenge to deal with. Here at Coda Pharmacy, we have seen first hand the effects acne can have on a person's self esteem and confidence. Within this article, we have put together a guide to help you navigate through your adult acne, dissecting the causes and the treatments available.
What is adult acne? Adult acne is a common condition that affects many people beyond their teenage years. While acne is typically associated with adolescence, adult acne is increasingly recognised as a prevalent issue, and it can occur in both men and women.
Understanding the causes of adult acne is key to managing and preventing breakouts. Unlike teenage acne, which is often tied to puberty and hormonal shifts, adult acne can be triggered by a variety of factors that persist into adulthood. From hormonal changes to lifestyle choices, stress, and even your skincare routine, multiple elements can contribute to the development of acne later in life. In this section, we’ll explore the common causes of adult acne and help you identify what might be triggering your breakouts.
Causes:
Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormones, particularly in women, can trigger acne. This is common during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can also lead to hormonal imbalances that result in acne.
Stress: Stress can increase the production of certain hormones (like cortisol) that trigger oil production in the skin, leading to clogged pores and breakouts.
Diet: Diets high in sugar, dairy and processed foods may contribute to acne for some people. Foods that cause blood sugar spikes can lead to increased inflammation, which may worsen acne.
Skin Care Products: Some products can be too harsh and clog pores, particularly if they contain heavy oils or ingredients that irritate sensitive skin. It's essential to choose products that are non-comedogenic (won't clog pores).
Medications: Certain medications, including some oral contraceptives, steroids, or other hormonal treatments, can lead to acne as a side effect.
Genetics: If you have a family history of acne, you're more likely to experience it as an adult.
In order to treat adult acne, it's vital to know what is triggering it. Often it can be a number of things so finding the root cause can be hard and might consist of a lot of trial and error. Facing acne as an adult can be particularly challenging as it is often seen as something that only teenagers deal with, so when it shows up in adulthood, it can feel a bit like a setback or a sign that something's off. This can lead to feelings of embarrassment and self-consciousness, especially since acne can affect self-esteem and how someone perceives their own appearance.
Acne can also have a considerable psychological impact due to the stigma surrounding skin issues- there’s often this societal pressure to look perfect and visible breakouts can make people feel like they don’t measure up, even though it’s completely normal and nothing to be ashamed of. If you feel your acne is negatively impacting your mental health in any way it's important to get help by speaking to your GP.
Along with finding your acne triggers, there are lots of treatments available. Again, it's all about trial and error and finding the right products for you, everyone's skin is different.
Different ways of treating adult acne:
GP Treatment: If you are facing moderate or severe acne and nothing is working, you might need prescribed medication from your GP. These consist of topical retinoids, topical antibiotics, azelaic acid, antibiotic tablets or for women the combined contraceptive pill. If these treatments are still not working for you, your doctor can refer you to a dermatologist.
Accutane: This can also be prescribed by a doctor but is usually reserved for more severe cases, as it has a strong effect on reducing oil production and clearing acne. It comes with significant side effects, so it requires close supervision by a doctor.
Topical Treatments:
Salicylic acid: It helps to exfoliate the skin and clear out pores, making it great for preventing and treating breakouts.
Benzoyl peroxide: This targets acne-causing bacteria and reduces inflammation, helping to clear up existing pimples.
Retinoids (Retin-A, adapalene): These help to speed up cell turnover, prevent clogged pores, and reduce the formation of new acne. They’re also great for reducing the appearance of acne scars.
Sulfur-based products: Sulfur can help to reduce oil and calm inflammation, often found in masks or spot treatments.
Lifestyle Changes:
Stress management: Since stress can trigger breakouts, practicing relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, or regular exercise can help.
Diet: Some people find that cutting back on dairy or high-glycaemic foods (like refined carbs and sugars) can help reduce breakouts. Eating a balanced, skin-friendly diet might make a difference for some.
Skincare routine: A gentle skincare routine that includes cleansing (without over-exfoliating), moisturising and sun protection can go a long way. Sometimes acne can be worsened by using harsh products or not moisturising enough.
Support:
If you are currently facing adult acne, we hope this article has brought you some comfort and knowledge in the next steps to take towards clearer skin. Remember you are not alone, 95% of people have experienced acne at some point in their lifetime. If your acne is negatively impacting your mental well-being please do not hesitate to contact the suggested links below:
Coda Pharmacy is here to support you every step of the way. From helping you face adult acne to offering expert advice and delivering your NHS prescriptions free of charge. If you have any questions about what you have read in this article or any of the services that Coda Pharmacy can provide you with, please do not hesitate to reach out and contact us here.