Adult Acne: Popular Questions and Answers
Why do I still have acne in my late 20s? At its root, adult acne is caused by the same things that cause teen acne: excess skin oil and bacteria. Any changes in hormones, including those brought on by pregnancy and menstruation, can trigger excess oil. Women who smoke also seem to be more prone to acne. Acne tends to run in families, so if a parent had adult acne, you're at higher risk. People can get acne into their 40s and beyond. I wash a lot but still get blackheads. Why? Washing your skin can't get rid of blackheads or acne. Why? Blackheads form below the skin's surface, when oil, also called sebum, reacts with air in a partially clogged pore. When the pore is totally blocked, you get a whitehead. Wash your face twice a day and after sweating, using a mild cleanser and warm water -- not hot water. Do not scrub your skin as that can worsen acne. Do birth control pills cause or cure acne? Birth control pills may help some women control ac...