Adult acne: Why it appears and how to treat it

Acne is not just a teenage issue; adults can suffer from it too. During adulthood, there are physiological and biological changes which, together with lifestyle factors, can cause spots to appear. Although we may think it is not normal, it is actually quite common. In this article, we explain what adult acne is, why it appears and how it can be tackled.

What is adult acne?

Adult acne is acne that usually appears from the age of 25-30. It is inflammatory in nature and often becomes persistent. 

It is characterised by reddish lesions, usually painful, which tend to appear around the cheeks, chin and/or neck. These lesions may be deep or superficial and, as a result, can leave marks, also because the skin gradually loses its ability to regenerate as the years go by.

Why does acne appear in adults?

Acne appears because oil and dirt build up in the pore, creating an ideal environment for a spot to develop. This process can be triggered by:

• Hormonal imbalances, especially due to androgen production during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.
• Ongoing stress over time, as stress increases cortisol levels, and cortisol increases the skin's production of sebum.
• Unsuitable active ingredients in your skincare routine, meaning those that are comedogenic (encourage breakouts) or add more oil to the skin, leading to blocked pores.
• Lifestyle habits, such as smoking.
• Poor diet, such as excessive consumption of sugars or dairy.
• Use of certain medications.

Types of adult acne

Adult acne can be of 2 types:

• Persistent acne: this is the most common type in adulthood. It is acne that started in adolescence and never completely went away. It is typical of oily, acne-prone skin.
• Late-onset acne: this occurs in people who develop acne for the first time. It is usually caused by hormonal changes, stress, skin sensitivity...

Hormonal acne in adults

Hormonal acne is the type that occurs most often in adults. Hormonal changes stimulate the skin's sebaceous glands, causing them to produce more sebum, which then builds up. The pore becomes blocked, inflammation develops and the spot appears.

This acne appears in the so-called U-zone: neck, chin and mouth. The spots are usually larger, accompanied by pain, and have an oily appearance. They can take weeks to disappear and may leave marks.

Adult acne treatment

To control and prevent adult acne, we must pay close attention to stress, eating habits and our skincare routine:

• We must keep stress under control to maintain normal cortisol levels.
• Follow a healthy diet, enriching meals with vegetables and fruit, as well as nutrients such as omega-3, antioxidants and zinc-rich foods (pulses, chicken, beef...). We should limit dairy, sugars, carbohydrates,  ultra-processed foods, fried foods...
• Pay attention to the active ingredients used at each step of your skincare routine.

 How to tackle adult acne. Skincare routine

To deal with adult acne, we recommend focusing on every step of your skincare routine:

Step 1. Cleansing

Cleansing is essential to prevent and treat acne, as it helps remove excess sebum and prevent the pore from becoming clogged. To achieve this, cleansing product formulas should contain specific active ingredients such as acids or niacinamide to meet these goals. Some of our favourite anti-acne cleansing products are:

Eucerin Dermopure Gel Limpiador Purificante

With a blend of acids to achieve optimal pore cleansing. It also provides gentle exfoliation, which helps prevent marks. It is ideal for skin with more severe acne.

Cerave Blemish Control Gel Limpiador

With clay for a purifying effect, niacinamide to regulate excess oil, and ceramides to hydrate and repair the skin. It is perfect for oily, acne-prone skin that is on the drier side or has some sensitivity.

Step 2. Treatment

Anti-acne treatment products should have specific formulas that target the spot, its inflammation, and help prevent and fade possible marks. We recommend 2 treatment products, depending on your skin type:

Avène Cleanance Comedomed+

Helps tackle acne, blackheads and marks even on sensitive skin. It fades marks and regulates the skin's sebum. Its star active ingredient is Comedoclastin, milk thistle extract.

Biretix Tri-Active Gel

Highly recommended for adult female acne, it effectively tackles more stubborn acne and the marks typically associated with adulthood. Its formula contains a retinol complex, as well as acids and niacinamide.

Step 3. Sun protection

Using sun protection is essential in any routine, but it is especially important in an anti-acne routine. Sun exposure can damage the skin on many levels, but it also worsens the condition and can even cause marks to linger.

For this type of skin, it is necessary to use products that do not add oil and absorb quickly. We recommend La Roche-Posay Oil Correct SPF 50+, which offers a high level of sun protection, protects against different types of radiation, has a non-greasy formula, regulates the skin's sebum and does not encourage the appearance of spots.

For sunscreen to work properly, it must be applied in the correct amount and reapplied every 2 hours.

Hydration step

Many people with oily skin do not apply creams or hydrating products because they think that, since they already have excess oil and shine, they do not need them. In fact, the opposite is true: there may be excess oil, but the skin still needs water to balance the skin barrier and prevent dehydration. You should use hydrating products with specific active ingredients that do not add oil and that moisturise this type of skin, such as products containing hyaluronic acid or niacinamide.

Important: All the products used in your skincare routine, including make-up, should state on the packaging that they are "non-comedogenic" and "oil-free", to help prevent breakouts and avoid adding extra oil.