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As teenagers, all we want is to grow up—to leave curfews and homework in the past and enjoy life on our terms. However, it’s not long after we turn 20 that we realise that being an adult means chasing endless task lists, surviving relationship drama that deserves a plotline on some reality TV show and shouldering boulder-like responsibilities. And amid all this, the last thing we need is stubborn acne (the same ones we thought we’d left behind) following us through the threshold of our teenage years and into adulthood. If you’re nodding along, then you know the frustration and we can guarantee that you aren’t alone.
Adult acne comes in many forms—cysts, zits, comedones, blackheads, whiteheads, lesions, the list goes on. Sadly, there is not just one factor we can point to and blame. From stress and lifestyle choices to even skincare products that don’t suit you, there are a myriad of reasons your skin might be breaking out. This means that there is no one-sure-shot solution either. But don’t fret, to get to the bottom of this, we turned to Dr Monica Jacob, aesthetic physician and founder and director of Bodyz Wellness, who helped us create this guide to managing your acne in your adult years.
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Before we get into the details, let’s go over the basics. According to Dr Jacob, adult acne is the kind of breakout that occurs after 25. She said, “Adult acne tends to be more persistent and can recur over a long period.”
Unlike adolescent acne—which is primarily driven by the hormonal surges of puberty—adult acne has been linked to changes in the menstrual cycle or menopause Dr Jacob goes on to explain that these pimples can appear anywhere on the face and body. Mostly in the form of blackheads, whiteheads or cysts around the lower face, jawline and neck.
The key to winning the battle against adult acne is having the right kind of ingredients in your armory. Dr Jacobs recommends, “salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, niacinamide or azelaic acid”. Considering acne-prone skin tends to be sensitive, she advises opting for non-comedogenic, fragrance-free and oil-free formulas to minimise clogged pores and irritation. And for those already using skincare tailored for acne, the expert suggests incorporating lightweight moisturisers and sunscreens with a minimum of SPF 30.
In addition to your at-home skincare regimen, there are various in-office treatments like chemical peels, laser therapy, LED light therapy and oxygen infusion that that can further aid your journey in managing adult acne. Dr Jacob goes onto breaking down the benefits of these treatments. “Chemical peels exfoliate the skin and unclog pores, reducing acne and improving texture. Laser therapy goes deeper into the skin, targeting sebum production and boosting collagen for smooth skin. Lastly, oxygen infusion facials are a non-invasive, rejuvenating treatment that uses oxygen to push active ingredients into the skin, helping to minimise acne,” she explains.
If you’ve ever encountered pesky acne, you know that just calming it down and getting rid of it is not the end of the journey. It leaves behind an obstinate scar.
When we asked Dr Jacob what the best course of treatment was to neutralize these scars she said, “To treat acne scars effectively, it is important to consider a method that minimises the risk of hyperpigmentation. You can either opt for microneedling or a non-ablative laser treatment.” She adds further, “Dermal fillers are a good option too as they can smooth out deep scars. However, if you want a non-surgical option, skin boosters and nano-fractional radiofrequency RF treatments are highly effective for skin rejuvenation. They provide intense hydration from within, improving skin elasticity, texture, and radiance.”
Managing adult acne goes beyond skincare—it’s about making the right lifestyle choices. Dr Jacob suggests starting by paying attention to your diet. She recommends reducing high glycemic foods. “Certain fruits, like mangoes and bananas, can cause blood sugar spikes. This may lead to hormonal imbalances and increased sebum production, potentially worsening acne,” she explains. And that’s not all. Dr Jacob also warns against consuming excessive dairy products. She says, “Dairy may cause inflammation in some people, exacerbating acne for those with sensitive skin,” she shares.
Instead, Dr Jacob suggests focusing on vegetables and whole grains for healthy skin. Lastly, she names stress management as one of the key players to manage adult acne. She recommends indulging in healthy practices like yoga and meditation while cutting back on smoking and moderating alcohol intake to help improve your skin’s overall health.
Our last question to Dr Jacob was perhaps one of the most important—what are some of the most common mistakes that end up exaggerating acne? We often overlook the sensitivity of adult acne and end up exacerbating it through everyday practices. Dr Jacob explained, “Over washing or using harsh face scrubs can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and increased sebum production. This triggers more breakouts.”
Another frequent practice that she has observed is that people tend to skip moisturisers. The fact is that, just like any other skin type, moisturisers are essential for acne-prone skin. Dr Jacob further adds, “An often-overlooked practice is popping pimples. It leads to inflammation, scarring and the spread of bacteria.” Sure, we’ve all indulged in this seemingly satisfying act, but it must be avoided.
Before we get into the details, let’s go over the basics. According to Dr Jacob, adult acne is the kind of breakout that occurs after 25. She said, “Adult acne tends to be more persistent and can recur over a long period.”
Unlike adolescent acne—which is primarily driven by the hormonal surges of puberty—adult acne has been linked to changes in the menstrual cycle or menopause Dr Jacob goes on to explain that these pimples can appear anywhere on the face and body. Mostly in the form of blackheads, whiteheads or cysts around the lower face, jawline and neck.
The key to winning the battle against adult acne is having the right kind of ingredients in your armory. Dr Jacobs recommends, “salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, niacinamide or azelaic acid”. Considering acne-prone skin tends to be sensitive, she advises opting for non-comedogenic, fragrance-free and oil-free formulas to minimise clogged pores and irritation. And for those already using skincare tailored for acne, the expert suggests incorporating lightweight moisturisers and sunscreens with a minimum of SPF 30.
In addition to your at-home skincare regimen, there are various in-office treatments like chemical peels, laser therapy, LED light therapy and oxygen infusion that that can further aid your journey in managing adult acne. Dr Jacob goes onto breaking down the benefits of these treatments. “Chemical peels exfoliate the skin and unclog pores, reducing acne and improving texture. Laser therapy goes deeper into the skin, targeting sebum production and boosting collagen for smooth skin. Lastly, oxygen infusion facials are a non-invasive, rejuvenating treatment that uses oxygen to push active ingredients into the skin, helping to minimise acne,” she explains.
If you’ve ever encountered pesky acne, you know that just calming it down and getting rid of it is not the end of the journey. It leaves behind an obstinate scar.
When we asked Dr Jacob what the best course of treatment was to neutralize these scars she said, “To treat acne scars effectively, it is important to consider a method that minimises the risk of hyperpigmentation. You can either opt for microneedling or a non-ablative laser treatment.” She adds further, “Dermal fillers are a good option too as they can smooth out deep scars. However, if you want a non-surgical option, skin boosters and nano-fractional radiofrequency RF treatments are highly effective for skin rejuvenation. They provide intense hydration from within, improving skin elasticity, texture, and radiance.”
Managing adult acne goes beyond skincare—it’s about making the right lifestyle choices. Dr Jacob suggests starting by paying attention to your diet. She recommends reducing high glycemic foods. “Certain fruits, like mangoes and bananas, can cause blood sugar spikes. This may lead to hormonal imbalances and increased sebum production, potentially worsening acne,” she explains. And that’s not all. Dr Jacob also warns against consuming excessive dairy products. She says, “Dairy may cause inflammation in some people, exacerbating acne for those with sensitive skin,” she shares.
Instead, Dr Jacob suggests focusing on vegetables and whole grains for healthy skin. Lastly, she names stress management as one of the key players to manage adult acne. She recommends indulging in healthy practices like yoga and meditation while cutting back on smoking and moderating alcohol intake to help improve your skin’s overall health.
Our last question to Dr Jacob was perhaps one of the most important—what are some of the most common mistakes that end up exaggerating acne? We often overlook the sensitivity of adult acne and end up exacerbating it through everyday practices. Dr Jacob explained, “Over washing or using harsh face scrubs can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and increased sebum production. This triggers more breakouts.”
Another frequent practice that she has observed is that people tend to skip moisturisers. The fact is that, just like any other skin type, moisturisers are essential for acne-prone skin. Dr Jacob further adds, “An often-overlooked practice is popping pimples. It leads to inflammation, scarring and the spread of bacteria.” Sure, we’ve all indulged in this seemingly satisfying act, but it must be avoided.
Before we get into the details, let’s go over the basics. According to Dr Jacob, adult acne is the kind of breakout that occurs after 25. She said, “Adult acne tends to be more persistent and can recur over a long period.”
Unlike adolescent acne—which is primarily driven by the hormonal surges of puberty—adult acne has been linked to changes in the menstrual cycle or menopause Dr Jacob goes on to explain that these pimples can appear anywhere on the face and body. Mostly in the form of blackheads, whiteheads or cysts around the lower face, jawline and neck.
The key to winning the battle against adult acne is having the right kind of ingredients in your armory. Dr Jacobs recommends, “salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, niacinamide or azelaic acid”. Considering acne-prone skin tends to be sensitive, she advises opting for non-comedogenic, fragrance-free and oil-free formulas to minimise clogged pores and irritation. And for those already using skincare tailored for acne, the expert suggests incorporating lightweight moisturisers and sunscreens with a minimum of SPF 30.
In addition to your at-home skincare regimen, there are various in-office treatments like chemical peels, laser therapy, LED light therapy and oxygen infusion that that can further aid your journey in managing adult acne. Dr Jacob goes onto breaking down the benefits of these treatments. “Chemical peels exfoliate the skin and unclog pores, reducing acne and improving texture. Laser therapy goes deeper into the skin, targeting sebum production and boosting collagen for smooth skin. Lastly, oxygen infusion facials are a non-invasive, rejuvenating treatment that uses oxygen to push active ingredients into the skin, helping to minimise acne,” she explains.
If you’ve ever encountered pesky acne, you know that just calming it down and getting rid of it is not the end of the journey. It leaves behind an obstinate scar.
When we asked Dr Jacob what the best course of treatment was to neutralize these scars she said, “To treat acne scars effectively, it is important to consider a method that minimises the risk of hyperpigmentation. You can either opt for microneedling or a non-ablative laser treatment.” She adds further, “Dermal fillers are a good option too as they can smooth out deep scars. However, if you want a non-surgical option, skin boosters and nano-fractional radiofrequency RF treatments are highly effective for skin rejuvenation. They provide intense hydration from within, improving skin elasticity, texture, and radiance.”
Managing adult acne goes beyond skincare—it’s about making the right lifestyle choices. Dr Jacob suggests starting by paying attention to your diet. She recommends reducing high glycemic foods. “Certain fruits, like mangoes and bananas, can cause blood sugar spikes. This may lead to hormonal imbalances and increased sebum production, potentially worsening acne,” she explains. And that’s not all. Dr Jacob also warns against consuming excessive dairy products. She says, “Dairy may cause inflammation in some people, exacerbating acne for those with sensitive skin,” she shares.
Instead, Dr Jacob suggests focusing on vegetables and whole grains for healthy skin. Lastly, she names stress management as one of the key players to manage adult acne. She recommends indulging in healthy practices like yoga and meditation while cutting back on smoking and moderating alcohol intake to help improve your skin’s overall health.
Our last question to Dr Jacob was perhaps one of the most important—what are some of the most common mistakes that end up exaggerating acne? We often overlook the sensitivity of adult acne and end up exacerbating it through everyday practices. Dr Jacob explained, “Over washing or using harsh face scrubs can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and increased sebum production. This triggers more breakouts.”
Another frequent practice that she has observed is that people tend to skip moisturisers. The fact is that, just like any other skin type, moisturisers are essential for acne-prone skin. Dr Jacob further adds, “An often-overlooked practice is popping pimples. It leads to inflammation, scarring and the spread of bacteria.” Sure, we’ve all indulged in this seemingly satisfying act, but it must be avoided.
