Remember what it was like to be a teenager? Of course, we all do . . . and it is safe to say that none of us would choose to go back, right? After all, the teenage years are full of confusion, awkward moments, and self doubt. Unfortunately, it seems that at least one troublesome symptom of those teenage years can reappear when we are adults and throw us completely off. That problem is called adult acne, and if you are one of the millions of adults who suffer from it, then you know how big of a pest it can be. Want to know more about adult acne and what you can do about it? Here are some common causes and treatments of adult acne:

Causes. Adult acne occurs when sebum – an oil that is produced in the sebaceous glands – clogs the skin’s pores. The pore-clogging sebum eventually attracts bacteria and the pore becomes inflamed, thus creating a pimple. Another common cause of adult acne is hormonal imbalance – for men, androgens, and for women, estrogen. Estrogen imbalances are generally the result of things like birth control, menopause (and menopause treatments), and pregnancy. Additionally, some medications and makeup products can cause adult acne breakouts, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Treatments. There are many different types of treatments for adult acne. These include special soaps, lotions, masks, prescription medications, and fancy laser therapies. Depending on the severity of your case, you may be able to treat your adult acne at home. However, you may not get the results you want without going to a dermatologist. A good rule of thumb is to start small, with inexpensive over the counter remedies, before moving on to more expensive solutions like seeing a doctor.

Finding the right treatment. Although there are a number of acne treatments on the market, many of them are formulated to treat teen acne. Teen acne is more about oily skin, while adult skin is generally drier; therefore, teen acne products can really do a number on adult skin. When you embark on an adult acne treatment regime, try to choose dry skin formulations, and be prepared to learn by way of trial and error.

Adult acne can be a very trying experience. Many adults who develop this pesky problem often report feeling as though they want to run and hide their faces. If you suffer from adult acne, then there are things you can do to combat it. Reading over these common causes and treatments is a great start.

About the Author: Jackson Norat is 27 yeras old and suffers from adult acne – to the point where he often wonders if he has regressed back to his teen years. He currently works as a phlebotomist training assistant and hopes to one day transition into a career in the field of dermatology.