What Causes Acne After 40?

Breakouts plague most people at some point in life. Generally, acne peaks during adolescence. But skin problems can persist into your adult years. Adult acne can affect you into your 40s and 50s. 

The good news is that as an adult, you’re in a much better position to proactively manage acne. And we can help. 

As an expert in treating acne, Kenneth Warrick, MD, FAAD, at Atlantic Dermatology in Longs, South Carolina, works with you to figure out what’s behind your acne. This allows him to develop a personalized and effective treatment plan to clear up your skin.

To start, Dr. Warrick partners with you to discover what’s causing your breakouts. It could be:

Stress

Excessive stress encourages your body to create more hormones called androgens. These stimulate oil production, contributing to breakouts. 

If your acne has just started or gotten worse in tandem with a stressful season of your life, managing your stress could be one part of clearing your skin. 

Hormonal changes

Just like in your teenage years, changing hormone levels can trigger a breakout. This is particularly true for women leading up to and during menopause, pregnancy, or after making a change to birth control. 

If you’ve recently developed acne, evaluate your body as a whole. Could a shift in your hormone levels be to blame? 

Lifestyle 

The decisions you make each day affect your body — including your body’s largest organ, your skin. 

One study linked acne to an unhealthy diet, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle. Another study connected insufficient sleep to worse adult acne and interestingly noted that the sleep-acne overlap doesn’t seem to affect adolescents. 

The way you treat your skin also plays a role. A poor skin care routine could be behind your breakouts. If you just started getting acne and recently introduced a new skin care product, that could be the culprit. Try going without it for a few weeks to see if your skin clears up.

The choices you make each day directly impact your risk of acne. Eating better, prioritizing sleep, and developing a healthy skin care routine should all help. 

Eliminating adult acne

These are just a few of the common reasons behind adult acne. Whatever’s causing your skin issue, Dr. Warrick works with you to target and eliminate it. 

Here at Atlantic Dermatology, he offers a range of treatment options, including:

• Chemical peels
• Drainage 
• Extraction
• Injections
• Light therapy
• Oral medication
• Topical medication

Dr. Warrick may recommend one or a combination of treatments, along with lifestyle changes and a new skin care routine. He creates a personalized plan to move you toward clearer skin. 

If you’re ready to say goodbye to your adult acne, call our office today to schedule a consultation or use our online booking feature to make an appointment.