What Is The Difference Between Adult Acne And Teen Acne?

More than 80% of teens have acne. Unfortunately, acne does not always fade away at the end of puberty and can continue to be an issue for some in their 20s, 30s, and sometimes even 40s. Multiple studies show that 50% of women in their 20s, 25% of women in their 30s, and 20% of men still struggle with acne.

Like teens, adults with acne can suffer from a negative body image, poor self-esteem, and discrimination in the workplace and other social settings. Some studies even suggest that acne negatively affects the quality of life of adults with acne more than teens. Adult skin heals and regenerates much slower than teenage skin, resulting in longer-lasting scars.

Adult acne differs from teen acne, including location, triggers, and treatment principles.

What are the different causes of teen and adult acne?

Throughout puberty, our bodies increase in sex hormones called androgens (like testosterone), which can cause enlargement of the skin's oil glands, also known as sebaceous glands. Teen acne is triggered when the oil glands in the skin enlarge and produce more oil. This oil mixes with dead skin cells that accumulate in the openings of the oil glands, clogging the pores. Once the pores are clogged, acne bacteria become trapped inside, triggering inflammation.

In women, hormonal fluctuations caused by the menstrual cycle and pregnancy can worsen acne. Studies have suggested that almost 70% of women report a worsening of acne right before menstruation. Other causes of acne in women are comedogenic makeup, overuse of cosmetic products, picking of the skin, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and some medications (including steroids, lithium, and phenobarbital).

Common triggers for both teen and adult acne are cow's milk (dairy) and food with high glycemic indexes, such as processed carbohydrates and sugars. Applying the wrong makeup and skincare products, such as oil-based serums, and washing the face too often frequently cause more acne breakouts. As the excessive application of different products can cause more harm than good, it is essential to simplify the skincare routine.

A telltale sign that helps differentiate adult and teen acne is the location. Teen acne tends to affect the forehead and cheeks. Adult acne usually appears on the lower parts of the face, such as around the mouth, on the chin, and along the jawline.

What is the difference in treatment for teen acne and adult acne?

The skin of teens is typically oilier than that of adults and can tolerate more potent and drying acne medications. Milder and less drying acne medications, paired with a matching oil-free acne-prone skin moisturizer, are usually better for treating adult acne.

What are the best treatments for adult acne?

The best treatment for adult acne will include preventive measures (the proper diet, the right makeup, etc., a medicated mild-acne cleanser, an oil-free skin moisturizer, and a night treatment cream customized to individualized acne severity and skin type.

What is the best diet for people with adult acne?

As with teens, a proper diet is essential for adult acne treatment. High glycemic index foods, like sweets, cakes, and white bread, promote inflammation and can lead to breakouts. People with adult acne benefit from eating low-glycemic foods like wild fish, nuts, fresh fruits, and organic, hormone-free meat.

What are the best acne medications for women with adult acne?

Blackheads and whiteheads:

Most adults (especially women) have drier skin types than teens. Acne washes and medications meant for teen acne can be too drying and irritating to their skin. While typically tolerated by teens, off-the-shelf acne washes, particularly those with 5% or 10% benzoyl peroxide, are too drying for women with adult acne and are not recommended.

The best treatment for blackheads and whiteheads for women with adult acne is beta hydroxy acid (i.e., salicylic acid). These magical ingredients help remove excess oil and exfoliate dead cells from the skin's surface.

Inflamed acne pimples in adults:

The best choice to treat inflamed acne pimples would be benzoyl peroxide 2.5%, which kills acne-causing bacteria and reduces inflammation.

Topical antibiotics like clindamycin and erythromycin come in various strengths and kill acne-causing bacteria. That said, topical antibiotics are regarded today as problematic for acne treatment due to bacterial resistance and are not recommended to be used as a single treatment.

Topical retinoids work by helping to shed old skin cells faster, allowing new skin cells to form and reducing the chance of clogged pores and acne. That said, the type of retinoid used for acne treatment is critical. For optimal results, avoiding over-irritating retinoids (Adapalene or Tazarotene) and looking for milder retinol-based products (0.25% - 0.5%) available over the counter is best.

The most common therapies for adult hormonal acne are birth control pills and spironolactone. Women that prefer a more natural way to balance their hormones can use DIM supplements. The DIM + cruciferous supplements contain natural extracts of cruciferous vegetables (kale, broccoli, alfalfa, and spinach) specially formulated to help balance hormones and reduce signs of hormonal acne in women.

What is the best treatment for "under the skin" pimples in adults?

Women with hormonal acne tend to have "under the skin" pimples or cysts, which are usually inflamed and painful. To fight them effectively, combining the proper diet, a topical treatment, hormone-balancing supplements (DIM), oral antibiotics, or spironolactone (an anti-hypertensive medication shown to reduce hormonal acne) is best.

For women with severe or cystic acne, it is necessary to supplement a topical treatment with oral antibiotics, accutane, or spironolactone.

Shop:

Retinol for adult acne
Hormone balancing supplements (DIM) for adult acne

FAQs:

Q1. What are the different causes of teen and adult acne?

A1. Throughout puberty, our bodies experience an increase in sex hormones called androgens, such as testosterone, which can cause the skin's oil glands (sebaceous glands) to enlarge. Teen acne is triggered when these oil glands produce more oil and mix with dead skin cells, leading to clogged pores. Acne bacteria become trapped inside the clogged pores, resulting in inflammation.

In women, hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy can worsen acne. Other causes of acne in women include comedogenic makeup, overuse of cosmetic products, skin picking, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and certain medications like steroids, lithium, and phenobarbital.

Common triggers for both teen and adult acne are cow's milk (dairy) and high glycemic index foods, such as processed carbohydrates and sugars. Additionally, using the wrong makeup and skincare products, such as oil-based serums, and excessive face washing can contribute to more acne breakouts. Simplifying the skincare routine is essential to avoid potential harm.

A telltale sign that distinguishes adult and teen acne is the location. Teen acne mainly affects the forehead and cheeks, while adult acne typically appears on the lower parts of the face, such as around the mouth, chin, and jawline.

Q2. What is the difference in treatment for teen acne and adult acne?

A2. Teen skin tends to be oilier and can tolerate more potent and drying acne medications. For treating teen acne, stronger medications may be used. However, the skin of adults is typically less oily and more prone to dryness. Therefore, milder and less drying acne medications and oil-free acne-prone skin moisturizers are generally recommended for adult acne treatment.

Q3. What are the best treatments for adult acne?

A3. The best treatment for adult acne involves a comprehensive approach that includes preventive measures, such as maintaining a proper diet and using suitable makeup. A medicated mild-acne cleanser, an oil-free skin moisturizer, and a customized night treatment cream based on individualized acne severity and skin type can yield positive results.

Q4. What is the best diet for people with adult acne?

A4. A proper diet is crucial in treating adult acne, just as it does for teens. Foods with high glycemic indexes, like sweets, cakes, and white bread, can promote inflammation and lead to breakouts. Individuals with adult acne benefit from consuming low-glycemic foods such as wild fish, nuts, fresh fruits, and organic, hormone-free meat.

Q5. What are the best acne medications for women with adult acne?

A5. When treating black and whiteheads in women with adult acne, it is important to consider that most adults, especially women, have drier skin types than teens. Acne washes and medications intended for teen acne can be too drying and irritating for their skin. The best treatment option for blackheads and whiteheads in women with adult acne is beta hydroxy acid, specifically salicylic acid, which helps remove excess oil and exfoliate dead cells from the skin's surface.

For inflamed acne pimples in adults, benzoyl peroxide at 2.5% concentration is a practical choice as it kills acne-causing bacteria and reduces inflammation. Topical antibiotics like clindamycin and erythromycin can also be used, but they are not recommended as a single treatment due to concerns about bacterial resistance.

Topical retinoids are another option and work by helping to shed old skin cells faster, reducing the chance of clogged pores and acne. It is advisable to avoid over-

irritating retinoids like Adapalene or Tazarotene and opt for milder retinol-based products (0.25% - 0.5%) available over the counter for optimal results.

For adult hormonal acne, common therapies include birth control pills, spironolactone, and DIM supplements. Birth control pills and spironolactone help balance hormones, while DIM supplements contain natural extracts from cruciferous vegetables and assist in hormone balancing and reducing signs of hormonal acne in women.

Q6. What is the best treatment for "under the skin" pimples in adults?

A6. Women with hormonal acne often experience "under the skin" pimples or cysts, which are usually inflamed and painful. To effectively combat them, combining a proper diet, topical treatments, and hormone-balancing supplements like DIM is recommended. Oral antibiotics or spironolactone, an anti-hypertensive medication known to reduce hormonal acne, can also be used with topical treatments.

Women may require additional treatments such as oral antibiotics, accutane, or spironolactone for severe or cystic acne. It is advisable to consult with a dermatologist to determine the most suitable treatment approach for individual cases.

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