February 18, 2025 woods_ copenhagen

Adult acne: From cause to treatment

While many associate acne and blemishes with the turbulent teenage years, the reality is that many adults continue to grapple with breakouts well into their 20s, 30s, and beyond. But fear not; you are not alone in this common yet often frustrating struggle.

In this article, we’re exploring the ins and outs of adult acne, uncovering its causes and providing tangible advice to help balance, counteract, and calm the reaction.

The causes of adult acne

So, what exactly is adult acne? Unlike the stereotypical teenage breakouts often attributed to hormonal changes during puberty, adult acne can emerge due to a variety of factors that linger long after your teenage years have ended.

Adult acne manifests in different forms – from blackheads and whiteheads to painful cysts and more – and just like any other skin concern, it can significantly impact our comfort and confidence. The good news? Understanding the root causes can help you regain some control over the condition and ease the symptoms.

It’s important to note that other medical conditions can resemble adult acne or lead to the occurrence of breakouts, such as rosacea, keratosis pilaris, perioral dermatitis, PCOS, or more. If you suspect that your breakouts are a symptom of another underlying issue, always consult a doctor or dermatologist for tailored treatment.

Understanding the reasons behind adult acne can feel like piecing together a complex puzzle, as several contributing factors can trigger these unwelcome and often painful symtpoms. Common culprits include:

Hormonal fluctuations

One of the most significant factors in adult acne is hormonal imbalance. For women, fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can lead to increased oil production, clogging pores and resulting in breakouts. Men, too, can experience hormonal changes in the skin leading to the occurrence of blemishes and breakouts.

Stress and emotional imbalance

In our fast-paced world, stress has become an all-too common concern. When we experience stress, our bodies produce cortisol, a hormone that can ramp up oil production in the skin. The result? An uptick in acne flare-ups. When dealing with stress, your main concern may not (and should not) be your skin’s condition – but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating to deal with. So, take this as our way of saying that your skin can mirror an imbalance going on inside.

Learn more about how stress can affect your skin and how to avoid it here.

Using the wrong self-care products

Oil-based hair care and skincare products can contribute to acne breakouts, especially for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. Products like shampoos, conditioners, makeup, and different skincare products may contain ingredients that clog pores, leading to breakouts both on the face and body. While many of these products serve important functions in a self-care regimen, the key is to select the right ingredients for your skin and hair.

If your skin is breakout-prone, opt for non-comedogenic oils or completely oil-free products that provide effective care without clogging pores. By being mindful of your products’ ingredient lists, you can effectively care for your hair and skin while keeping breakouts at bay.

Other factors like medication, bacteria, environmental factors; such as weather conditions and pollution, and dietary habits can also play a role in the development of persistent breakouts.

How to counteract adult acne

From over-the-counter solutions to prescription medications, a variety of options can help manage breakouts and improve skin texture when dealing with adult acne. Here’s a closer look at some of the most common treatments for adult acne.

Topical treatments: Meet Blemish Control Clarifying Gel

Topical treatments are often the first line of defense against unwanted breakouts. These products are applied directly to the skin and can contain various active ingredients that target acne in different ways.

Just recently, we bid welcome to Blemish Control Clarifying Gel – a new addition to our caring selection of breakout-busters.

This lightweight facial gel is infused with a potent breakout-controlling duo of 3% Seboclear™️ and actibiome, effectively regulating oil production, calming signs of inflammation, and addressing breakouts and blemishes. The addition of actibiome furthermore supports a healthy microbiome (the natural ecosystem of the skin), while linoleic acid helps strengthen the skin barrier to leave your skin more resilient towards extraneous threats.

Additionally, the infusion of hyaluronic acid ensures your skin weightless, non-clogging hydration for a supple, perfectly hydrated finish. Shortly put, Blemish Control Clarifying Gel conducts a staple in every routine that seeks to address recurring impurities and imbalances.

BLEMISH CONTROL CLARIFYING GEL

Medication may be necessary

For more severe or persistent cases of adult acne, dermatologists may prescribe medications. These can provide more systematic treatment and may be necessary for individuals who do not respond to topical therapies. Medical treatments can vary, and the medications described will depend on your skin’s condition – meaning, not everything will work for everyone.

Keep it simple, keep it effective

If anyone is familiar with the urge to dive headfirst into wonderful active ingredients, it’s us. Who doesn’t love an enriching chemical peel or retinol treatment?

This craving is most likely only empowered by dealing with a skin concern that you’d like to combat. But a 12-step routine honestly isn’t helping anyone. A protective sunscreen, hydrating facial gel, and cleanser is the foundation of any great skincare routine, supplied by one or a few treating products with active, high-performance ingredients that target the result you dream of.

TEXTURE

When using actives, starting slow and continuity is key to not overwhelm the skin and exacerbate the unwanted reactions. This approach will also ensure that you can identify which product causes certain effects, keeping them in check with your skin. Introduce one product at a time and allow it to work wonders for your skin before introducing another one. Next thing you’ll know, you’ll have a well-rounded skincare arsenal bursting with products your skin adores!

Lastly, know that your skin is doing everything it can to find balance and protect you. Even though it doesn’t always seem like it, it’s always on your side.

Sources:

- Leawitt, J. (2024) Adult Acne: I’m a Decade Past Puberty – Why Am I Still Breaking Out? Medically reviewed by Patel, R., Healthline.com.

- Liu, K. (2019) Adult Acne: Understanding underlying causes and banishing breakouts, contributions from Nassim, J., health.harvard.edu.

Adult acne: From cause to treatment

While many associate acne and blemishes with the turbulent teenage years, the reality is that many adults continue to grapple with breakouts well into their 20s, 30s, and beyond. But fear not; you are not alone in this common yet often frustrating struggle.