Everybody dreams of having acne-free, clear, glass-like skin during their adulthood. But unfortunately, every morning you wake up to find a new acne. Achieving an acne-free face seems just impossible.

You keep wondering ‘why am I still breaking out’? What is wrong with me?’

But guess what, suffering from adult acne is just as common as catching a cold.

In this article, Karepedia will talk about adult acne. All your doubts about acne will be covered here.

What’s Acne?

It’s a common skin condition. It occurs due to clogged hair follicles along with oil and dead skin. Acne primarily affects areas of the skin with more oil glands like face, chest and back.

Types of Acne

• Comedones: most basic form of acne

  • Whiteheads: appears s small, flesh-coloured, or white bumps

  • Blackheads: appears black due to oxidation of melanin when exposed to air.

• Papules: small, red, raised bumps. Are tender to the touch. Occurs due to inflammation around clogged hair follicles.

• Pustules: acne containing pus. Appear as red bumps with a white or yellow center.

• Nodules: large, painful, solid lump beneath. Deeper than papules and pustules. Can create scars.

• Cysts: deep, painful, pus- filled acne that can cause severe acne. This type of acne is considered severe and often requires medical treatment.

What is Adult Acne?

Now that we know what acne is, it’s time to understand what adult acne is. It is basically acne that haunts people during their 20s, 30s, 40s and even their 50s. Let’s look at some factors that trigger acne.

• Excess sebum production. Sebum is an oily substance produced by sebaceous glands to lubricate skin and hair. Overproduction can cause clogged pores which thus creates a suitable environment for acne formation.

• Clogged hair follicles. Combination of sebum and dead skin cells can cause clogging of hair follicles. This can form a plug, which thus leads to development of various types of acne.

• Bacteria. Bacterium Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) are naturally present on the skin. These bacteria multiply when there’s a clogged follicle which leads to inflammation and formation of acne.

• Hormonal changes. Hormonal fluctuations can spike androgens. This can enlarge the sebaceous glands and boost sebum production. Such fluctuations can be seen during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and conditions like PCOS.

• Inflammation. Inflammatory response by the body can worsen acne. When the immune system reacts to clogged pores and bacterial invasion, it can lead to redness, swelling and pain.

Other Factors

Genetics Genetic factors can influence how your skin responds to hormones and acne triggers; thus, a family history of acne increases the chances of developing this condition.

Diet: You are what you eat. Intake of high sugary snacks, refined carbohydrates and dairy products might worsen the condition for some individuals.

Stress: Increase in stress results in release of cortisol, a hormone that can increase sebum production. Thus, this results in severe breakouts.

Medications: Some medicines that include androgens, lithium and corticosteroids can cause or worsen acne.

Skincare products: Choosing products that don’t suit your skin can also cause acne. Other than that, it is quite necessary to make sure that your skincare should be non-comedogenic (must no clog pores).

Environmental factors: Pollution and humidity also cause breakouts. Other than that, wearing tight clothes, not cleansing your skin properly can all contribute to severe acne.

Treating Adult Acne

Effective management of acne requires over the counter (medicines that do not require prescription), prescription medicines, lifestyle changes and professional help.

Over the counter treatment (OTC)

• Benzoyl peroxide

Reduces bacteria and has anti- inflammatory properties. Effective for treating mild to moderate acne.

• Salicylic acid

Exfoliates skin, unclog pores, and reduces inflammation. Effective for treating blackheads and whiteheads.

• Alpha-Hydroxy acids (AHAs)

Exfoliate skin, promotes cell turnover, and reduces appearance of acne and scars. E.g. Lactic acid, glycolic acid.

• Retinoids

Vitamin A derivatives that promote cell turnover, prevents clogged pores and reduces inflammation.

Prescription treatments

Necessary for severe or persistent acne.

• Topical retinoids

Stronger retinoids that are effective for reducing clogged pores and improving skin texture.

• Topical and oral antibiotics

Antibiotics reduce bacteria and inflammation. Used in combination with other treatments to prevent antibiotic resistance.

• Hormonal treatments

These treatments regulate hormonal fluctuations that contribute to acne.

• Isotretinoin

Potent oral retinoid used for severe cystic acne. It reduces sebum production, inflammation, and bacterial colonisation.

Life and skincare routine

Cleansing: Using a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser to cleanse your face twice daily to remove excess oil, dirt, and makeup.

Toning: Toner balances skin’s pH and removes remaining impurities.

Treating: Using treatments with active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxides, salicylic acid, or retinoids to target acne.

Moisturizing: Hydrating your skin is essential but use a moisturizer that is non- comedogenic.

Sun Protection: Protecting skin from UV damage, especially if using treatments as it increases sun sensitivity.

Diet and Hydration: Avoid high sugary foods and excessive dairy intake. Maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Stay hydrated.

Stress management: Engage in stress reducing activities in order to manage cortisol levels and reduce acne flare ups.

Professional Treatment

For severe acne cases, dermatologists suggest professional treatments.

• Chemical peel: Using chemical solutions to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells thus, improving acne and skin texture.

• Laser and light therapy: Targets bacteria and reduces inflammation with specific wavelengths of lights.

• Drainage and Extraction: Removing large cysts manually to relieve pain and prevent scarring.

When To Consult A Dermatologist

• When all the OTC treatments and lifestyle changes fail to improve the acne situation.

• Severe or causing significant distress.

Psychological Impact & Coping Strategies

Acne can deeply affect self-esteem, social interactions, and overall quality of life. Here are some ways one can tackle this situation:

• Therapy and support groups

Seeking emotional support and effective coping strategies.

• Self-care and self-compassion

Loving yourself and treating yourself kindly, one should engage in such activities.

• Education

Learning about acne and how to control it can reduce the feeling of helplessness.

Acne is a complex skin condition. However, it is necessary to understand these factors and implement a multifaceted approach to treat acne. Considering both physical and psychological aspects of acne, individuals can achieve better outcomes.