Acne is a condition that is mainly associated with teenagers. Unfortunately, for some people it does not only end when with puberty. In fact, you may not know it, but you or someone you know may suffer from a common acne condition known as adult acne.

Most experts haven't agreed on the actual cause of adolescent or adult acne, however, hormonal fluctuations and genetic predisposition are thought to be two of the main causes. There are even certain medications that can also bring about acne breakouts. One thing is for sure, however, poor hygiene does not cause acne.

As with adolescent acne, finding the right treatment for adult acne cases will strictly depend on the type of acne you have. For the most part, adult acne breakouts are brought about after stressful situations or during hormonal fluctuations. However, for some people adult acne is more than just a simple pimple, in fact, some acne sufferers experience severe acne, like nodulocystic acne, throughout most of their lives.

Treating Adult Acne

Achieving a well rounded acne remedy for adult acne will depend upon building the appropriate acne skin care routine with the right acne products. Adult acne skin care may be daunting for some people because of the wide range of products that are available on the market today. These products are usually geared towards teenagers, however, the best products can also be used to treat adult skin.

Keep in mind, however, that skin becomes thinner with age, which means that your skin care routine should become much more gentle as the years go by. If you want to keep your skin from harmful chemical agents, choose products that are fragrance free and oil free.

Acne is usually treated with products that contain ingredients that can irritate mature, dry or sensitive skin. In cases like this you have two choices. First you can look for products that are especially geared towards these types of skin or, you can reduce the frequency with which you use these acne products. You might have to buy several products, but it will be well worth the investment.

Your basic skin care routine should include cleansing, exfoliation and moisturizing. You should exfoliate at least once a week and only add a toner if your cleanser does not remove all of the debris on your skin. After moisturizing, use an acne product to spot treat areas that are prone to breakouts.

This should be enough to keep your skin acne free. However, there are cases of stubborn adult acne that will require a tougher approach. In such cases, you may need a prescription cream or oral medication to treat acne breakouts.

Unfortunately, if you use stronger medication you are also increasing the possibility of irritation. There are slow-release formulas that have helped deal with this problem. Some stronger treatments, both prescription and over the counter include:

*DHT Inhibitors and Birth Control Pills

Both types of treatment deal with hormonal problems.

*AHAs

These alpha hydroxy acids include lactic acid and glycolic acid.

*Accutane

This product is known to cause severe side effects, so before using this product, consult with your doctor about its use.

*Antibiotics

*Azelaic Acid