Adult Acne: Pimple in your 20s? Know Causes & How to Prevent

Have you ever felt like you said goodbye to acne in your teenage years only to be greeted by it again in your 20s? Because it is very likely to happen! While acne is generally faced by pubescents, as an adult, you can still be plagued with it.

What is Adult Acne?

Facing acne in your 20s to all the way in your 50s is called adult acne. Many adults who may have never had acne in their teenage years might still face adult acne. Generally, women are more prone to adult acne than men and this occurs for several reasons!

Adult Acne Causes

While acne is closely tied to hormonal changes, there are many reasons why adult acne appears. Here are the main adult acne causes you should know about.

- Hormonal imbalances

Women in particular go through several phases of hormonal imbalances throughout their life. Menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause are the main phases where adult bodies see hormonal imbalances which ultimately lead to acne in women.

- Skincare products

With the rise of skincare brands and influencers, it can be tempting to blindly hoard skincare products and use them without checking if they are right for your skin. When you do so, you may notice your skin slowly breaking out! Skincare products that are comedogenic, greasy, heavy and contain oils which can clog your pores are one of the common reasons for adult acne. Some skin care products also contain artificial fragrances which do not suit sensitive skin and can result in a breakout!

- Stress

Stress acne is real! When people feel stress, their body's natural ability to heal reduces which can result in triggering breakouts and making your acne worse.

- Family history

Oftentimes adults face acne when they have a history of acne in their family. So, if you are confused about why you are facing acne in your 20s, it could be because someone in your family does too!

- Side effects of medication

Sometimes you may face acne as a side effect of taking a new medicine. If you are continually facing this issue or noticing your acne worsen because of a medicine, be sure to check with your doctor for other options.

- Hair styling products

One of the lesser-known adult acne reasons is the usage of hair styling products. They sometimes cause pimples on the forehead and hairline. These products trap oil on the skin and result in clogged pores which lead to pimples, whiteheads and more. And post-usage of hairstyle products if your hair regularly touches your skin, your acne can easily worsen!

Adult Acne Treatment & Prevention

If you are in your 20s facing a fresh outbreak of pimples out of nowhere, fret not! There are several adult acne treatment options available for you to try out.

• Using an over-the-counter acne-fighting cream or gel for spot treatment is the perfect at-home adult acne treatment for mild forms of acne.
• For more serious cases of adult acne, look out for products with Adapalene, Salicylic acid, Benzoyl peroxide and azelaic acid.
• If you are facing extreme acne with red pimples, and pustules filled with pus, visit a dermatologist to find the right solution.
• To prevent acne, make sure to follow a healthy diet and increase water intake. Avoid sugary drinks and junk food which increase the sebum production in the skin and make sure to keep your face clean and rid of excess oil.
• Choose at-home acne treatments that deal with open pores, pimples and acne scars like makeO skin(formely skinnsi) acne treatment. Using clinically proven ingredients, our acne treatments are customised to treat your adult acne with ease and comfort.
• You can also choose regular skinnsi oil control facials to purify pores, reduce grease and oil and renew your skin!

FAQs

What causes sudden acne in adults?

Sudden acne can be caused by various factors like hormonal imbalances, changes in diet or surroundings, usage of comedogenic skin care products, heavy use of hairstyling products, a family history, the result of stress or even a side effect of medication. If your acne persists, make sure to visit a dermatologist or undergo an acne treatment.

How long does adult acne last?

There is no set timeline for adult acne. It can be a rare occurrence that disappears within a few days or it can be a stressful and complicated journey. Using over-the-counter acne fighting products can help mild acne, but for severe cases, it is best to meet a dermatologist to treat your acne in the best way possible.

Why do I have acne at 25?

You may be facing adult acne, a common issue among people in their 20s. Adult acne occurs for various reasons like

• Hairstyling products
• Skincare products
• Family history
• Hormonal imbalance
• Stress
• Side effects of medication
• Change in diet
• Excess travel and change in surroundings etc.

What does stress acne look like?

Stress acne looks like normal acne which includes whiteheads, blackheads, bumps and pus-filled pimples. These are caused when stress takes over the body’s ability to heal quickly.