We usually associate acne with teenagers; however, adult acne is equally common. Some adults continue to get acne well into their 30s, 40s, and even 50s. According to dermatologists, adults can get an acne outbreak even if they never had it in their adolescent years. No wonder millions of dollars are spent every year on making and marketing products for adult acne treatment.

Fluctuating hormone levels are usually the most common cause of adult acne. This may be the reason menopausal women are highly susceptible to acne. In fact, most women develop acne before, during or after their menstrual cycles or during and after pregnancy.

In addition, when we experience stress our bodies release a hormone. This hormone stimulates the oil glands and hair follicles in the skin, which can lead to acne.

Other reasons for adult acne include

• family history
• hair and skin care products and
• medication side effect.

Adult Acne treatment

Stress
Adult acne can be frustrating; however, stressing over it can make matters worse. We have plenty of research to prove that stress can and does lead to acne.

Topical treatment
Topical creams are your first line of defense against adult acne. Several over the counter drugs containing salicylic acid and Benzoyl peroxide are available; however, they may not be very effective. It is best to seek the advice of a trained dermatologist who can guide you through the process.
Retinoid is the most commonly prescribed for the treatment of adult acne. Retinoid derived from vitamin A can help to unplug follicles.
Combination creams that contain a cleansing agent like benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics such as clindamycin are also used in adult acne treatment
Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid and an exfoliating agent. It works on acne by removing dead cells from the surface.

Eating right
Maintain a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables to fight your acne. Avoid foods rich in sugar and carbohydrates.

Oral medications
Your dermatologist may prescribe certain medication to control your acne. Most of these medications work by controlling the hormone levels in the body.
Birth control pills like Yaz, Beyaz, and Yasmin are used in the treatment of adult acne.
Oral antibiotics are sometimes prescribed to relieve inflammations.
A blood pressure medication called spironolactone is also used to treat acne.

Laser treatments
There are several advanced laser techniques that are now prescribed for adult acne treatment. These methods employ a suction cup to suck oil from your pores and deliver an intense laser light treatment to the hair follicles. The sebaceous glands shrink over time, reducing the production of oil. Laser treatment evens out the skin tone and removes blemishes along with the acne.

Although treatments are expensive and may not be widely accepted by the medical community, they have gained popularity in the recent years.

Natural remedies for treatment of Adult Acne

Regulate your sodium intake
Several studies claim that a high percentage of sodium in our diets may be the cause of adult acne. They recommend limiting the daily intake of salts to get an upper hand over acne.

Exercise
Physical activity of any kind is good for your body and skin.

Drink plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water helps in removing the toxins from our bodies.

Exfoliate regularly
Clogged pores and dead skin can cause acne. Consider exfoliating your skin regularly to remove the buildup. You can use scrubs available in the market or use natural ingredients like brown sugar and oatmeal to gently exfoliate your skin. However, you should be careful that you do not pick any pimples while scrubbing your skin.

Moisturizer
Acne-prone skin still needs to be moisturized as topical creams used for the treatment of acne dry out the skin. This may trigger the glands in the skin to produce more oil. Light moisturizers are therefore recommended for adult acne treatment.

Tea tree oil
Tea tree extract is also widely popular in adult acne treatment. The oil has antiseptic properties that help if killing the acne-causing bacteria on the skin.

Homemade packs
DIY packs made from honey, apple cider vinegar, and coconut oil are also used in the treatment of adult acne.

Probiotic supplements
Several studies claim that adding probiotic supplements to your diet can help in restoring healthy acne free skin.

Effective and long-term treatment of adult acne is possible. Your dermatologist is the right person to guide you about the options available to you. You may have to try out several treatments before you find the one adult acne treatment that is suitable for you.