The truth about adult acne

Katie Schill, FNP

Family Medicine

When you’re an adult, acne is supposed to be a thing of the past – right? Not always. Before you know it, breakouts can pop up like you’re a teenager again.

“Adult acne is a common occurrence,” said Prisma Health nurse practitioner Katie Schill. She eplains why.

• Hormones. “As we age, especially women, our hormones continue to change,” Schill said. “You might not have dealt with acne for years, and now here you are again.” Pregnancy, breastfeeding and changes in birth control can also be strong contributing factors.
• Over cleansing and not moisturizing enough. “Over drying your skin will make your pores really tight, which actually makes acne worse. I recommend using a good exfoliator followed by a quality moisturizer. Product quality is important.”  
• Sunscreen. “I recommend using one that states it’s for faces or sensitive skin. These will be less likely to clog your pores.”
• Stress. “During stressful times, we release hormones to help deal with the stress. Unfortunately, sometimes these hormones can cause acne breakouts.”

So, what should you do? Here are a few things Schill recommends.

• Use the right cleanser/exfoliator. “Look for something with salicylic acid in it. This is a first line treatment for acne and can be found in many over-the-counter products,” she said.
• Moisturize your skin. “Always follow your cleansing with a quality moisturizer.”
• Try Retinol. “Retinol is a fantastic treatment for acne, but it can be too intense for some people. Again, look for a quality product. Limit or avoid sun exposure while using retinol products.”
• Don’t pop your pimples. “And please don’t go extracting cysts or other growths, no matter how many YouTube videos you have watched.”

Schill said it’s time to seek care from your primary care provider if your acne persists or worsens, if you have other hormone-related symptoms, or if you have never had acne before and now you do.