Adults may continue to suffer from acne blemishes long past their teen years, with 25 percent of men affected by adult acne and up to 50 percent of women. While there is an understanding of the intricate process with which acne forms, it has been difficult to determine why it continues into adult life, especially causing acne in adult women.

It is believed that most adult acne is caused by hormone activity and there are several times when hormones go out of whack through the adult’s life. The most obvious time is during puberty, as well as pregnancy and menopause. The hormones, androgen is known to help the creation of oils in the skin and can cause blockages in the hair roots where acne forms. This hormone is present in males and females and is believed partly responsible for acne in adult women.

Females are at a greater risk due to the nature of their hormonal cycles such as menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. There are treatment options available for acne in adult women, in which topical ointments and treatments are showing no sign of helping. Some physicians have promoted the use of low-dose birth control pills to help reduce the increased androgens. Any usage should be on the advice of a physician and to be knowledgeable of the potential side effects of birth control medication.

Treatment Options For Severe Acne In Adult Women

Benzoyl peroxide is the most often recommended treatment for adult acne along with topical retinoids and, in extreme cases, oral antibiotics may be necessary to combat inflammation. If your doctor prescribes oral retinoids, and are at risk for pregnancy, you will be required to use two forms of birth control as these drugs can cause severe birth defects if you get pregnant while taking them.

It has been found that outbreaks of acne in adult women can be reduced by decreasing the body’s androgen production and greatly reducing oil production through the use of spironolactone, available by prescription.

Cleaning you face and other acne-prone areas of your body with a mild face cleaner is recommended and scrubbing should be avoided as it can actually spread the bacteria as well as promote more acne blemishes. To remove surface oils that may cause outbreaks of acne in adult women you can use glycolic acid or salicylic acid. These may cause excessive drying of the skin and a moisturizer may be used to reduce dry skin.