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Five reasons you have adult acne

Acne is a common problem that teenagers have to face. It's expected that acne will disappear when over the age of 20. Unfortunately, adults may suffer from acne in their 30s, 40s, and even 50s. 

Hello Sehat (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Tue, July 26, 2016

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Five reasons you have adult acne Adult acne is acne that is suffered over the age of 20. Being a skin inflammation, adult acne is harder to treat then teenage acne, as the adult skin has aged and less skin cells are produced. (Shutterstock/-)

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cne is a common teenager problem that is expected to clear away by the time someone is over 20 years old. Unfortunately, adults who are already in their 30s, 40s, and even 50s can have acne, which can be caused by many factors such as stress, genetics or diet. This abnormality is called adult acne. Thorough understanding about the causes may help you deal with this problem.

What is adult acne?

Adult acne is acne that is suffered over the age of 20. Being a skin inflammation, adult acne is harder to treat then teenage acne, as the adult skin has aged and less skin cells are produced.

According to a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in 2008, women have more adult acne than men. This is mainly caused by hormone fluctuations during pregnancy, pre-menopause, menopause and changing birth-control methods.

Surprisingly, the number of adult acne sufferers is high: 50% people from 20 to 29 years old suffer from adult acne. Nearly 35% of women from the 30 to 39-year-old age bracket, 26% of 40 to 49-year-old women and 15% of 50-year-old women and older also suffer from adult acne breakouts.

Why do you have adult acne?

There are many different causes of adult acne, however, these are the five most common causes.

Hormones 

No matter what age you are, any changes in your hormones can lead to skin problems. An increase of testosterone in both men and women causes the oil glands to enlarge and produce more oil. The oil on your skin clogs your pores, creating a suitable environment for acne-causing bacteria to grow and cause inflammation.

Stress

In the modern lifestyle, stress is one of the major causes of adult acne. In response to stress, the adrenal gland produces more cortisol, which then stimulates production of testosterone, and in turn leads to acne. 

Pollution

Pollution from vehicles, factories, and human activities leads to dirty skin, causing clogged pores. Try to wipe your face with a cotton pad and toner after a day’s work, and you can immediately see the dirt caused by pollution. Although seemingly invisible, polluted air harms your health and skin more than you think.

(Read also: Cure your acne with these five tips)

Food 

Simple carbs and sugar like bread or sweet foods can trigger an inflammatory response from the skin and may lead to acne. Moreover, some studies show that dairy products can lead to adult acne as they may cause hormone imbalance in the body. 

Skin-care product

Cosmetics and skin-care products are created to help your skin look and feel better. However, these products may be the exact reason your acne problem has become serious. Try to choose products that are suitable to your skin, not trendy ones. If you have oily skin or combination skin, find the products which are oil-free, non-comedogenic or water-based.  Also make sure that your lotion or skin-care product doesn’t clog your pores.

How to treat adult acne

While it is difficult to address some factors like hormones, you can change your habits and food intake. Vegetables and water are important not only for your health but also for keeping your skin smooth and youthful. Manage your stress by nurturing yourself and learning how to relax. Allocate some time to relax—maybe with music, sport, shopping or hanging out with friends—from your busy schedule. The primary principle to keep in mind when dealing with acne is that it's an inflammatory disorder. Therefore, making sure your skin is always clean might seem to be the most basic need but it’s the most important way to prevent acne. (asw)



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