With millions of people suffering from persistent acne and adult onset acne that follows them well into their 40s and 50s, it’s time to answer the question of what causes acne in adults and what steps are effective in treating adult acne.
The American Academy of Dermatology recognizes acne as the most common skin problem in the United States, affecting not only adolescents whose hormone levels contribute to the development of acne but also adults who are in their 30s, 40s, and 50s (the majority of whom are women) who have not experienced acne in years or have never had serious acne breakouts in their life.
According to MedLinePlus (a medical encyclopedia maintained by the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health), acne is the swelling and inflammation of the skin’s pores which lead to whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, and cysts (commonly called zits or pimples) to form. While usually concentrated in the face, adults often fall prey to back acne and body acne found in the chest area, upper arms, and trunk. The NIH and the Mayo Clinic assert that what causes adult acne is basically the same in everyone, regardless of age.
How Acne Develops
Insulin, the hormone responsible for maintaining blood sugar levels, also affects how the body’s sebaceous glands produce sebum or oil. These glands are found in follicles; each follicle contains a hair and an oil gland, with an opening in the skin (pores) where the oil is released to lubricate the skin and help remove dead skin cells.
Factors such as ingesting too much fat, food chemicals, additives, caffeine, alcohol, excessive sugars, etc. in your diet lead to the creation of free radicals and oxidative stress, which in turn cause insulin resistance. Insulin resistance leads to the overproduction of sebum in your oil glands. Over time, high insulin levels result in excessive oil, which in turn gets blocked in the pores by dead skin cells and bacteria; this results in inflammation, which ends up as acne.
What Causes Adult Acne: Triggers and Other Causes of Adult Acne
Acne is caused by excessive sebum, dead skin cells, and the clogging and inflammation that follow. Aside from insulin resistance which increases sebum production, the American Academy of Dermatology identified several other factors which trigger adult acne:
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Hormonal fluctuations
Aside from insulin resistance, other hormonal imbalances also contribute to acne breakouts such as overproduction of androgens (male hormones) and an imbalance of androgen and estrogen (female hormones). These hormonal changes can be linked to menstrual periods, pregnancy, birth control pills, and high stress levels.
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Oily and greasy cosmetic and hair products
In most cases of adult onset acne, the excess oil does not come from the oil glands but from the cosmetics used for hair and skin care. This is the reason why dermatologists advise the use of non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic hair and skin care products. You can read product labels first before buying cosmetics you use on your skin and hair.
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Medication side effects
Acne is a possible side effect of the following drugs and drug components: corticosteroid, estrogen, anticonvulsants, sobriety drugs, and progestin.
Treating Adult Acne
Successful treatment of adult onset acne includes self-care and home remedies to help you achieve clear skin; prescription medicines which can either be topical (applied to the skin, such as creams or gels) or oral (taken in, such as antibiotics that reduce inflammation and swelling); non-invasive surgical and non-surgical procedures; and a healthy lifestyle. Consult with your dermatologist to discuss each of these steps as well as additional acne therapies that you can try.