Acne can be difficult enough when you're a teenager, but when you're 36 years old and still coping with "zits," it can be downright humiliating. Although the causes of adult acne are not fully understood, this condition is quite common, with an estimated 50 percent adults suffering from it, CBS news reports. Factors such as hormones and stress may contribute to adult acne, and those who suffered in adolescence are more likely to experience a recurrence. However, because adult skin tends to be drier than a teenager's, it isn't appropriate to treat it with harsh astringents.
Step 1
Use products containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. According to CBS News, salicylic acid helps to exfoliate dead skin and unclog pores. When purchasing a benzoyl peroxide-based product, you should avoid choosing one with more than 2.5 percent as more than this may be too drying. Some products containing these ingredients are marketed to adults.
Step 2
Try a gentle home peel or microdermabrasion kit. These products, available from your local pharmacy, can also help in unclogging pores and removing layers of dead skin, reports CBS News. You should take care not to rub the face too vigorously or otherwise cause irritation, however, because this may make the condition worse.
Step 3
Take birth control pills. For women dealing with adult acne, the hormones in some birth control pills may help to control the problem, according to CBS News. These birth control pills may inhibit the hormones called androgens, which activate oil glands and may trigger acne. Talk to your doctor about which birth control pills may be appropriate for you.
Step 4
Try tea tree oil. MayoClinic.com reports that a topical formulation of 5 percent tea tree oil appears to work as well as 5 percent benzoyl peroxide lotion. Moreover, tea tree oil may be less irritating to the skin, making it a suitable choice for adult acne. You should avoid tea tree oil if you suffer from acne rosacea, as it appears to make that condition worse. Acne rosacea is a type of adult acne characterized by inflammation and redness in the cheeks, nose and forehead.
Step 5
Talk to your doctor about prescription medication. For some adult acne sufferers, the severity or persistence of the condition may call for prescription medications, CBS News reports. Your dermatologist may prescribe oral antiobiotics, a topical cream or both. One type of commonly used topical acne product is the retinoid cream Retin-A. This product is applied at nighttime and is considered to be one of the more effective topical products for acne.
Things You'll Need
- Topical products with salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide
- Home microdermabrasion or exfoliation kit
- Tea tree oil
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