Acne in adult women

Who said acne was just for teenagers? Did you know that adult acne can affect up to 1 in 2 women⁽¹⁾? 

Far from being a memory from teenage years, this skin condition, which affects between 12 and 54% of women, can occur or persist well beyond the age of 20⁽¹⁾. 

Adult acne in women is therefore much more common than you think, but why does it occur? Why do these spots persist or reappear in adulthood? What are the specific triggers for women? What advice should you follow to restore healthy skin? 

This article provides an overview of adult acne in women to help you understand it better. Ready to get rid of your acne? Find out how! 

In most cases, acne in adult women is mild to moderate⁽¹⁾, but it can be persistent and sometimes even severe, with a high risk of scarring. Furthermore, classic acne should not be confused with other forms such as fungal acne, which is linked to yeast proliferation and requires a different treatment. 

And that's not all! Acne in adult women can be linked to three different contexts:

• Persistent acne, the most common type (in 70 to 80% of cases⁽²⁾), continues from adolescence onwards. 
• Late-onset acne, on the other hand, appears after the age of 25 (in 20 to 40% of cases⁽²⁾), just when you thought you had turned the page.
• Finally, recurrent acne, that intruder that returns periodically, forces us to question every daily action. 

However, while some women develop more widespread acne across their entire face, the most typical form of acne in adult women remains linked to late-onset acne concentrated on the lower part of the face (jawline, chin) and sometimes the cheeks and forehead.

What causes acne in adult women?

There are many causes of acne in adult women⁽¹⁾ and it is often a combination of internal and external factors that are at play:

• Firstly, there are hormonal imbalances : periods, pregnancy, the pill, menopause, or even polycystic ovary syndrome can upset the skin's balance by stimulating sebum production.
• Added to this is an imbalance in the skin microbiome: certain bacteria, such as Cutibacterium acnes, promote inflammation and the appearance of spots. 
• Lifestyle can also tip the balance and contribute to the onset of acne in adult women⁽³⁾: stress, smoking, an unbalanced diet with an excess of fast-releasing sugars, ultra-processed industrial foods or dairy products, alcohol, the use of unsuitable cosmetics... The result? Acne that is often persistent and difficult to treat. 
• A family history⁽⁴⁾ and combination or oily skin are other factors that contribute to acne in adult women. These predispositions particularly influence your skin’s sensitivity level and inflammatory response.

Certain specific contexts, such as skin irritation or infection in sensitive areas, can also lead to particular symptoms, such as pubic acne, which is important to differentiate correctly in order to provide appropriate treatment. 

What are the treatments for acne in adult women?

To treat acne in adult women, it is important to tailor the treatment to the individual. There are several options available to discuss with your doctor⁽³⁾:

• Creams containing retinoids or azelaic acid are ideal for mild to moderate cases: they reduce spots, unclog pores and reduce marks. 
• For more severe cases, oral treatments such as antibiotics, spironolactone (anti-androgen) or the contraceptive pill target the hormonal causes.
• If these solutions are not sufficient, isotretinoin may be used as a last resort on prescription from a healthcare professional.