Adult Acne & Sensitive Skin

Acne is caused by sebum, which is an oily substance produced by the skin's sebaceous glands. This substance clogs pores, attracts bacteria and causes inflammation, leading to acne. Adults who had acne problems in adolescence as well as adults who did not are prone to developing adult acne. Adult acne can develop at any age. Proper skin care and the help of a dermatologist can control breakouts of adult acne.

Who Gets Adult Acne?

Men and women are capable of developing adult acne, but it is more common among adult women than adult men, according to WebMD.com.

Types of Adult Acne

Persistent acne is acne that has never stopped since adolescence. Late-onset acne develops in adulthood and is likely to occur after many years of being relatively acne-free. Women commonly suffer from hormonal acne, which occurs in conjunction with hormone fluctuations during pre-menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.

Causes

Lots of things can trigger an outbreak of acne. They include diet, cosmetics or stress, but hormone fluctuations seem to trigger acne outbreaks among women, according to the Acne Resource Center Online. Hormonal acne is often associated with menstrual cycles. Outbreaks commonly occur around the mouth and along the jaw line.

Treatment

Topical solutions and oral antibiotics or oral contraceptives---for hormonal acne---may be prescribed to treat adult acne. Oral contraceptives are not suitable for cases of cystic or nodular acne, but regulate hormone levels and reduce acne flare-ups in female patients suffering from hormonal acne. Remember that acne is an inflammation, not an infection that can be removed from the skin. Steps should be taken to control the inflammation and patients should avoid scrubbing the skin, which can irritate dry skin, another common side effect of adult acne.

Daily Skin Care

Because dry skin is more sensitive, adults who experience frequent flare-ups should do everything they can to avoid irritating their skin. Use a gentle facial cleanser twice a day, but if the skin is particularly dry and sensitive, the second cleansing can be with warm water only. Use the hands to wash the face and avoid washcloths, unless they are washcloths meant for babies, which are especially gentle. Cleansers containing beads and granules are abrasive, according to WebMD.com, and should be avoided. Creams containing salicylic and glycolic acids prevent discoloration and help fade acne scars. In addition, benzoyl peroxide helps kill bacteria and is an effective spot treatment. A light moisturizer and daily sun protection are very important since acne treatments can increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun.