Three Proven Treatments for Adult Acne

World Wide Web | Three Proven Treatments for Adult Acne | Teenagers are told that they will "grow out" of their acne. But the truth is that many teens who have acne also have acne into adulthood. Men and women of any age can have acne. Generally, acne does improve with age because the changes that happen in your teenage body slow down and you are less prone to acne outbreaks.

According to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 25% of men and 50% of women are affected by acne at some point in their adult lives. In 2004, the International Journal of Cosmetic Science reported an increase in adult acne in the past several decades.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Adult acne treatment can be the same as treatment for teen acne - benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is found in both over-the-counter and prescription acne treatments. It removes dead skin cells and clears pores so that bacteria can't cause outbreaks. Benzoyl peroxide also kills the bacteria that can cause acne.

Many adult acne treatments have between 2 and 10 percent of benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide can dry out skin. Dry skin can be prevented or treated with a gentle moisturizer that is free of dyes and fragrances.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is another common ingredient in acne treatments. It also clears up pores and removes dead skin cells that contribute to acne. Unlike benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid does not kill bacteria on the skin. Salicylic acid treatments usually contain between 0.5 to 2 percent of the ingredient. Salicylic acid has side effects that include skin redness and irritation. However, it can be gentler on skin that benzoyl peroxide.

Some over-the-counter and prescription acne treatments combine these two ingredients in smaller doses. The combination of both ingredients attacks several causes of acne and can be the most effective treatment if the one ingredient does not work well enough on its own.

Birth Control

Women are more likely than men to have acne throughout their lifetime. Hormonal imbalances that begin in adolescence can continue into adulthood and keep causing acne to flare up. Birth control also reduces oil production in the skin. Birth control does not kill bacteria. It is best used in combination with other acne treatments that contain either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

Acne may first surface in the teen years but can persist throughout a person's lifetime. Severe acne or acne that is not treated appropriately can also lead to permanent scarring, which requires additional treatment. Keeping your skin clean, avoiding the use of harsh irritants in some make up, and using moisturizer on a daily basis can help you treat acne and keep outbreaks at bay. Seek the help of a dermatologist for moderate to severe cases of acne.

I am a freelance writer and besides conquering acne myself, I regularly research and write about skin care topics such as acne, scarring, moles, warts and the like. For more information, tips, and resources on adult acne treatment and to uncover the easy-to-follow recommendations on acne treatment in general, visit our site here.

Article Source: EzineArticles