Warwick Busby 
Acne is a common skin condition, and should never be ignored. If you are experiencing breakouts beyond your teenage years, consult a Dermatologist for advice and treatment options.
Hormonal fluctuations, stress and certain medications can all play a part in adult acne, manifesting itself with blackheads and whiteheads, papules pustules or cysts on the face, chest back or shoulders.
1. Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes that lead to acne in teenagers may also impact adults. Acne occurs when hair follicles become clogged with excess oil and dead skin cells, producing additional oil which then produces pimples. Genes, changing hormone levels (especially around period time, pregnancy, menopause or switching birth control pills), hair or skin products with ingredients known to clog pores as well as stress may all play a part in contributing to acne breakouts.
Poor hygiene doesn’t cause acne directly, though it may exacerbate breakouts. Picking or squeezing at blemishes may also result in scarring. Acne tends to run in families; so if any of your parents or siblings had it as teenagers, it increases your odds that it will affect you too; similarly if any of your grandparents suffered from it themselves.
2. Excessive Oil
As well as appearing to teenagers, acne can affect adults of any age. Causes for adult acne could include genetics, hormone fluctuations, bacteria exposure and irritation from skin care or hair products. Mild adult acne includes blackheads, whiteheads and small pus-filled pimples (pimples); moderate or severe forms often appear as red or discolored patches covering one-quarter to three-quarters of your face or body with skin that has become reddening or inflamed and even may sting when touched.
Acne is caused by excess sebaceous oil production from sebaceous glands located beneath the skin, mixing with dead skin cells to clog pores. This creates an overgrowth of bacteria which leads to inflammation and swelling of affected areas.
To help reduce excess oil, cleanse twice daily with a mild, soapless cleanser and avoid harsh scrubbing which can stimulate more oil production. Instead, look for one containing exfoliating ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid which contain exfoliation benefits.
3. Stress
Stress can cause acne in adults too: many who never had it as teenagers suddenly start suffering from it as adults — known as stress acne or “stress breakout.”
Garner notes that during times of high stress, “sebum production seems to increase.” As more oil clogs hair follicles and forms an environment for pimples to form, stress acne often presents itself in similar places as non-stressful times — such as finals week or when dealing with stressful issues at work or home.
Stress disrupts healthy habits such as sleeping or eating well, making it all the more important to find ways to decrease it such as yoga, meditation, exercise, deep breathing exercises and simplifying your schedule. All of these strategies have proven successful at relieving tension in one way or another and have had positive effects on complexion as well as overall health.
4. Poor Diet
Some foods can lead to adult acne outbreaks, including milk and sugar. Studies indicate that insulin increases may alter hormones that impact skin health; furthermore, many fast food items (burgers, fries and sodas) contain high fat contents and could increase inflammation within the body, contributing to breakouts.
Note that most studies show correlation and not causation; diet rich in nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables is proven to improve acne. Furthermore, using gentle cleansers with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide will help remove excess oil from the face, and prevent pores from becoming clogged up; over time this could also prevent acne scars and other skin issues from appearing.
