Causes of Adult Acne in Older Women

Adult acne can affect females later in life. Hormonal changes, stress, and cosmetic use are just a few of the possible causes of acne that can occur in females in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. Other causes of adult acne can include genetics, smoking history, sleep disorders, and more.

One study of nearly 1,400 people ages 25 to 60 found similarities with teen acne but there are differences. For example, age-related lack of skin moisture can contribute to acne. Or, oral contraceptive use may not be a recommended treatment in older females. Talk with your healthcare provider about your symptoms, as they may be related to a serious cause.

Acne Basics

The main factors that lead to acne for teens and adults include:

• Over-production of a type of oil, known as sebum, by the skin
• An excess of dead skin cells that block the pores
• A large amount of acne-causing bacteria within the blocked pores
• Inflammation of the skin

Acne Causes in Females

Several factors that may cause or worsen acne in females include:

• Hormone changes: Hormonal shifts can affect the skin's oil production and how well skin cells are shed. These shifts can occur during menstruation, pregnancy, stopping or starting birth control pills, and menopause. Conditions that affect hormones, such as ovarian cysts and polycystic ovary syndrome, may also lead to acne.
• Family history: If you have close family members with acne, you may be more likely to develop it as an adult. Genetics can contribute to acne that affects adult females.
• Stress: While under stress, the body produces more hormones that increase the skin's oil production. This may lead to acne. Stress-related caffeine use and sleep disorders also can worsen acne.
• Cosmetics: Anti-aging creams, sunscreens, oil-based hair products, and perfumes may clog pores and cause acne. This type of acne can occur later in life and is sometimes called acne cosmetica.
• Smoking: Acne breakouts are more common in smokers than nonsmokers. The more an individual smokes, the worse acne can become.

Diet may affect acne. Research has shown that a diet high in sugar, cow's milk, saturated fats, and trans fats may cause more sebum production and lead to acne. Other studies, though, suggest that foods can't cause acne though they may make symptoms worse.

Prevention

There are a few things you can do to help prevent adult acne and keep it from getting worse:

• Wash your skin twice a day with a non-drying and non-comedogenic cleanser, which won't clog your pores.
• Look for cosmetic products labeled oil-free, non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic. Non-acnegenic means it most likely won't cause acne.
• Avoid heavy skin creams or hair products that may clog your pores.

When to See a Dermatologist

Whether you have had acne since your teenage years, or it is a new skin problem, consider seeing a dermatologist, a hair, skin, and nails specialist, for treatment options.

A dermatologist can help you understand what may be causing your acne. They may prescribe medications or offer topical treatments applied directly to the skin.

Your dermatologist can work with you to find a treatment that's right for your skin type and the severity of your acne. They may suggest:

• A topical option, such as tretinoin
• Isotretinoin, an oral medication that should be used with caution due to possible side effects
• Spironolactone, for hormonally driven acne

Summary

In general, acne is caused by an overproduction of sebum, high amounts of acne-causing bacteria, and dead skin cells blocking pores. Adult females may experience acne because of hormonal changes, smoking, cosmetic use, and other factors.

To help prevent acne, use cleansers and cosmetics that won't clog your pores. Be sure to also wash your face twice a day. If your acne isn't clearing, consider seeing a dermatologist for treatment. They may prescribe medications or recommend over-the-counter products.