Adult Acne: Why It Happens and What You Can Do About It

Battling adult acne? You're not alone! 30 percent of women age 40-60 suffer from acne.Try these tips for restoring your skin to its blemish-free days

Many of us associate pimples and breakouts with our teenage years. Unfortunately, some people experience acne during their midlife years. If this is happening to you, know that you are not alone. Some estimates say 30 percent of women age 40-60 suffer from acne.

Experts believe that hormones are to blame for adult acne. Between pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause, hormones may get imbalanced, resulting in breakouts. Here are some tips to restore your skin to its blemish-free days.

Gentle cleaners
Most dermatologists recommend using a gentle cleanser such as Cetaphil.

Lotions or creams
Many over-the-counter products can be used to treat adult acne, but it may take a few tries to figure out which one works best for you. Benzoyl peroxide is commonly used to kill bacteria that can cause acne. If you tend to have dark marks from acne, you may need to use products that contain salicylic and glycolic acids.

Here are 3 homemade acne treatments that help to naturally clear up blemishes:

1. Aspirin
Even those of us who are well past adolescence can get the occasional pimple. Put the kibosh on those annoying blemishes by crushing one aspirin and moistening it with a bit of water. Apply the paste to the pimple, and let it sit for a couple of minutes before washing off with soap and water. It will reduce the redness and soothe the sting. If the pimple persists, repeat the procedure as needed until it’s gone.

2. Olive Oil
Okay, the notion of applying oil to your face to treat acne does sound a bit wacky. Still, many folks swear this works: Make a paste by mixing 4 tablespoons salt with 3 tablespoons olive oil. Pour the mixture onto your hands and fingers and work it around your face. Leave it on for a minute or two, then rinse it off with warm, soapy water. Apply daily for one week, then cut back to two or three times weekly. You should see a noticeable improvement in your condition. (The principle is that the salt cleanses the pores by exfoliation, while the olive oil restores the skin’s natural moisture.)

3. Toothpaste
Your teenager is bemoaning a prominent pimple, and the day before the dance too! Tonight, have her or him dab a bit of non-gel, nonwhitening toothpaste on the offending spot, and it should be dried up by morning. The toothpaste dehydrates the pimple and absorbs the oil. This remedy works best on pimples that have come to a head. Caution: This remedy may be irritating to sensitive skin.

See a Doctor
If you cannot manage your acne using OTC products, you may need to schedule an appointment with your dermatologist. Your doctor can prescribe higher strength ingredients that cannot be found OTC.