Acne and acne care have long been part of adolescence and the teenage years. We’ve all heard the stories about some poor girl waking up to a horrible blemish on her nose the day before a big date.

But acne strikes adults too, and acne care can actually become more difficult in adulthood. Acne is caused by clogged pores, which are often the result of oily skin. Adults are more likely to have combination skin types ranging from dry or normal to oily, and this can make acne care a challenge.

Acne can also be caused by irritation to the skin from confining clothing, chafing or even shaving. Hormones are also a contributing factor, which is one of the reasons why acne is so prevalent in adolescence and why pregnant women can find themselves dealing with outbreaks and acne care.

While there are many causes of this relatively harmless but nonetheless frustrating and often painful skin condition, the guidelines for acne care are pretty much the same across the board.

Cleaning the affected area with a mild soap or cleanser is an important part of acne care. When suffering from acne, there is often a temptation to use astringent cleansers. Such products are generally not recommended for irritated skin.

An important component of acne care is to avoid irritations to the skin which might cause new outbreaks. Oily hair should be washed regularly and be kept pulled away from the face and forehead areas when dealing with facial acne. Careful shaving is also an important component of acne care. Women who are dealing with outbreaks are often tempted to hide them with makeup. This can worsen the situation and counteract the positive effects of an acne care regimen, particularly if an oil-based makeup is used. While concealing acne with makeup can temporarily help deal with embarrassment or self-consciousness, it can hinder the healing process, so avoiding putting foundations or other makeup on the irritated area is the best bet.

People who are dealing with acne are often tempted to pick at or “pop” pimples or blackheads, either because they have a misconception that this is part of effective acne care or out of a simple desire to get rid of blemishes. This temptation should be avoided at all costs, since doing so only aggravates the situation and can also lead to scarring.

Even when these general guidelines are followed, even mild cases of acne can sometimes require a visit to the dermatologist. Professional acne care can include a variety of treatments including topical medications or pills. Acne can take several weeks to heal and ongoing acne care habits are encouraged to minimize future outbreaks.