Acne can be particularly frustrating for adults. A treatment that worked so well during our teen years can be useless or even make acne worse. If this happens, you may wonder whether those blemishes really are acne. After all, do adults get acne? 

Yes, adults get acne. Some adults continue to get acne well into their 30s, 40s, and even 50s. It is even possible to get acne for the first time as an adult. Dermatologists call this “adult-onset acne.” It is most common among women going through menopause. Women tend to get adult acne more often than men do. Adult acne can be difficult to manage, especially since there are so many different factors that can contribute to it. Everything from diet to age to skin type can affect how your body reacts, and the right solution isn’t always one-size-fits-all.

Trying to prevent acne in the first place can be one of the best ways to combat skin problems, and diet can play a role in keeping your skin clear. While there aren’t any foods that you should be eating, we recommend avoiding some options. Try cutting back on dairy, particularly low fat or skim milks, and avoiding high-glycemic foods like potatoes, white bread, and short-grain rice. Depending on your skin type, you might want to try different things to combat adult acne. If you have sensitive skin, make sure to use non-foaming, cream-based cleansers. For extra support, use vitamin A products in your nifhtly routine.

Acne is caused by heredity, hormones and stress. Years ago diet and cosmetics were blamed for acne, but current thinking downplays these factors. Often women who escaped teenage acne get adult acne, and it’s often stress related. It’s hard to eliminate stress these days, but fortunately there are many treatments to control adult acne. Over-the-counter acne medicines can be helpful for mild blemishes. The best ones contain benzoyl peroxide such as Clearasil Ultra and additional glycolic acid such as ProActive, but these can be drying.

For more severe outbreaks, dermatologists prescribe antibiotics for inflamed pustular acne. Topicals such as clindamycin can kill the germs that cause the pimples. Oral antibiotics such as minocycline can work faster and more effectively than topicals. These medicines have a good safety record, but we hope to taper off the pills and use just topicals as the acne subsides.

Retinoids such as Retin A are topicals that unplug pores and prevent acne, and are popular for anti-aging skin renewal effects. The newest one is Tazorac, and a less irritating one is Differin. These work over weeks to months, can be drying/irritating, but can help skin wrinkling and discoloration in addition to acne. For the most severe cases Accutane, is a retinoid pill which “cures” acne, but there are major side-effects and limitations to its use.


Here are the best products a we recommend to fight adult acne

adult acne

Neova Radiant Wash with Buffered Acids

Clean and refine skin’s appearance with this wash from Neova. Formulated with fruit acids that slough off dead skin and removes impurities, it’s a powerful cleanser that also fights the appearance of dark spots and sun damage to keep your skin looking young and refreshed.

Roc Retinol Night Cream

Visibly reduce the appearance of lines and deep wrinkles with this retinol-packed anti-aging night cream. Oil-free, it won’t clog pores. Apply it just before going to sleep, since skin is most receptive for repair and renewal at night.

Alastin 0.5 Retinol

This renewing retinol product delivers critical benefits to combat the signs of aging. The anti-inflammatory formula can be great for acne-prone skin, and potent hydrators can protect against skin dehydration.

Neostrata Foaming Glycolic Wash

Cleansing and exfoliating, this wash helps reveal your clearest and most radiant complexion. With 18% glycolic acid, it helps remove impurities, unclog pores, and support cell renewal, and the formula includes grapefruit extract and plenty of antioxidants to leave your skin feeling healthy and refreshed.

Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46

This oil-free sunscreen can help calm and protect sensitive skin, especially skin that’s prone to acne, rosacea, and discoloration. The mineral-based formula is lightweight and silky, and won’t weigh down your skin.

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser

If you’re prone to acne scars and hyperpigmentation, it’s not enough to only treat the acne ― you’ve got to treat the spotting at the same time. We recommend CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser because it has salicylic acid to gently exfoliate the skin, niacinamide to soothe inflammation, as well as hyaluronic acid and ceramides to moisturize and protect the skin barrier.

SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Gel Cleanser

While looking for these double-duty products, consider those with retinol or glycolic acid, since both ingredients have multiple benefits when combating acne. Not only do they help exfoliate and turn over the skin, decrease inflammation and oil production, these agents can also help lighten dark spots and PIH left behind from acne lesions.