When we became adults, we thought we would leave acne behind, along with ugly hairstyles, poor partner choices, and questionable trends. But for some of us, acne has accompanied us into adult life as a tenacious suitor who can’t take a hint. It’s tiring, to say the least, and can be especially frustrating when you don’t know what’s causing it!

So, what causes adult acne?
•  Hormonal imbalance – menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and birth control pills
• An increase in androgens like testosterone
• Overproduction of sebum can cause oily skin, clogged pores, and acne
• Stress and lifestyle factors can worsen acne

What is the difference between adult and teenage acne?
• Adult acne is often caused by the body’s inability to dispose of excess hormones. It tends to be more difficult to treat and more prone to cystic acne. It often occurs around the chin and neck area..
• Teenage acne is often caused by an increase in hormones during puberty that creates an overproduction of oil. Teenagers have predominantly blackheads and blemishes.

• Blemishes – blemishes are created when a lump of keratin and sebum gets stuck in a pore, creating a small bump under the skin.
• Blackheads – blackheads are those small, black dots that often appear on and around almost. It is the same as blemishes, except that the pore is open and the contents are exposed to air, oxidize and turn black.
• Inflamed blemishes – created when clogged pores become inflamed and begin to inflame the area around it. They manifest themselves either as painful bumps under the skin or large ones with visible pus.

What can we do about it?
First of all, make sure you use the right skin care products for your complexion. All skin types are different and even dry skin can experience excess oil and acne breakouts

• Don’t clean too much as it can cause the skin to produce even more oil
• Exfoliate your skin from time to time – this can help prevent clogged pores
• Look for ingredients that have soothing properties,