Acne was no fun when you were a teenager. And it’s still not today.
If you’re still struggling with male adult acne much longer than you ever anticipated, that sucks. Acne is miserable and suffering with blemishes is a drag.
Fortunately, it’s not all bad news. There are prevention and treatment strategies that will help reduce - if not totally eliminate - the breakouts you have to contend with.
Even so, many guys have one main question - when will my adult acne finally go away for good?
Teen Acne vs. Adult Acne - What’s the Difference?
While both are frustrating skin conditions, they can also be different. It’s important to understand the root causes of acne so you can prevent and treat it.
What Causes Teen Acne?
Teenage acne generally starts during puberty and mostly resolves at the end of this period in your early 20’s. The main culprit behind teen acne is hormones - specifically androgens which are male sex hormones. They cause increased oil production which can lead to clogged pores where conditions are perfect for bacteria growth.
What Causes Adult Acne?
Adult acne is different because it’s not related to the hormonal fluctuations of puberty. It can affect guys any time after their early 20’s with some men experiencing adult acne in their 30’s, 40’s, and even their 50’s.
Hormones may still be responsible for additional oil production and frequent breakouts of adult acne. Chronic stress is one major factor. If your body is under a near constant stress reaction, it’s going to have more androgens and thus conditions will be right for acne breakouts.
Is Adult Acne Worse?
Adult acne can seem worse and more prolonged than acne you experienced as a teen. That’s mostly because of changes to your skin caused by the aging process. The most common breakouts fall into these categories:
- Adult acne around the mouth
- Adult acne jawline breakouts
- Adult acne forehead blemishes
- Adult acne in the t-zone (forehead and nose)
Keep in mind that adult acne in men doesn’t solely present on the face. You can have all kinds of different breakouts including adult neck acne, adult chest acne, and adult back acne. They’re all miserable - but also all treatable.
The older you get, the harder it is for your skin to heal from a severe acne breakout. Starting in your mid-20’s, your skin becomes less elastic due to a drop in collagen and elastin production. As a result, it takes longer for your skin to get back to normal after having recovered from acne.
How to Increase Collagen Levels
This drop in collagen and elastin is natural and expected as you get older. But that doesn’t mean you’re helpless to resist it.
One of the best ways to increase collagen levels in your skin is to use anti-aging skincare products with ingredients that boost collagen production - like our Repairing Night Serum. Its key ingredients include:
- Plant Stem Cells - repair aging skin and reduce inflammation. Learn More
- Vitamin C - supports collagen production. Learn More
- MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) - reduces age spots and pigmentation issues. Learn More
When Does Adult Acne Go Away?
In most cases, adult acne goes away by your mid to late 50’s. This is true even for men who have experienced frequent cases of mild to severe acne throughout their adult lives. Part of the reason is hormonal changes and reduced androgens in the body.
It would be nice to have a specific answer for every guy who wonders “When does adult acne stop?” - but it’s not that easy. Every person has unique factors affecting their skin - and thus distinct experiences when it comes to adult acne.
How to Treat Adult Acne
The best way to treat adult acne is with a natural acne skincare routine that keeps your skin clean and moisturized while eliminating the conditions that allow blemishes to proliferate. The problem with many acne products is that they take a scorched earth approach - and that’s not ideal. It leads to dryness and irritation - which could ultimately make your acne issues worse.
That’s why our Acne Controlling System focuses on gentle, natural ingredients that won’t dry out or irritate your skin. It includes these four products:
- Acne Controlling Face Wash - Cleanses skin and prevents breakouts with 2% salicylic acid, grapefruit, and tea tree oil.
- Acne Controlling Face Moisturizer Treatment - Hydrates and nourishes skin while preventing acne breakouts and bacteria growth with 2% salicylic acid, willow bark extract, and vitamin E.
- Acne Controlling Spot Treatment - This concentrated formula reduces individual blemishes without over-drying your skin with 2% salicylic acid, willow bark extract, and witch hazel.
- Clearing Scar Cream - Diminishes the appearance of acne (and other) scars with vitamin C, MSM, and antioxidants.
For the best results, cleanse and moisturizer your skin twice daily - each morning and evening. This ensures that bacteria is removed and not allowed to grow in your pores.
Exfoliate Regularly to Control Acne
Adding exfoliation to your adult acne treatment regimen will help unclog your pores and prevent blemishes - like blackheads - from forming. Since acne occurs all over your body, you shouldn’t limit exfoliation to just your face. Use these products to incorporate this step into your skincare routine.
Renewing Face Scrub
Removes dead skin and oily buildup for clear pores and a brighter complexion. It’s made with jojoba beads, pumice, avocado butter, green tea extract, and coffee extract to combine powerful scrubbing with plenty of skin nourishment and moisture. Use it 2-3x each week for the best results - less if you need adult acne dry skin treatment.
Polishing Body Scrub
Scrubs away dirt, grime, oil, and dead skin for smoother skin with fewer breakouts. It’s made with walnut powder, glycolic acid, willow bark extract, oatstraw, and aloe vera for an exfoliating effect that won’t leave your skin dry or irritated.
How to Manage Adult Acne
You can reduce the frequency of acne breakouts by making smart lifestyle choices. They may not 100% prevent all blemishes, but they will reduce the likelihood that you’ll wake up with acne.
- Consistent Skincare Routine - The acne prevention routine mentioned above will offer you the best results if you apply it regularly.
- Less Stress - Easier said than done, but a major part of reducing acne breakouts. Yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques all contribute to reduced stress.
- Regular Exercise - Do whatever works for you - whether it’s running, swimming, lifting, or taking a fitness class. Keeping your body in top shape will help reduce your risk of developing acne breakouts as an adult.
- Eat Right - A balanced diet that’s full of lean meats, fresh vegetables, and delicious fruits will minimize your struggle with acne. Avoid excessive sugar as this can have a damaging and inflammatory effect.
The key to managing adult acne is taking a preventative approach. Occasional breakouts happen to everyone. But making smart choices will lower your chances of dealing with acne and help you enjoy your best skin.
