Why Adult Women Still Have Acne

The beauty industry talks about aging all the time. It makes some people uncomfortable. What we don't always talk about is whether our acne regimen is age appropriate. There is not a one-treatment-fits all for acne. It is important to understand what role hormones may play in acne breakouts outside of teenage years. Studies have shown that acne breakouts can appear into your 50s. However, what stimulated your blemishes during puberty versus your adult years may have shifted over time.
Women in child-bearing age may experience acne due to changes in their reproductive system. Long-term contraceptive methods using progesterone can cause undesirable side effects include nervousness, rash, headache, acne, skin or hair problems - among others. Women using birth control or anyone on a prescription medication should ask their doctor about the visual side effects of their drug therapy.
Hormones can be the culprit for adult acne. Sebaceous glands, collagen production and hyaluronic acid €” naturally found in the skin €” are influenced by hormones. When the body's estrogen, testosterone or androgen hormone levels are off balance, the skin produces more sebum. As women age, older skin may be more prone to irritation, lack of elasticity, dryness and slower natural exfoliation. This means the skin is not functioning in a way that could avoid clogged follicles and rebalance itself to suppress breakouts.
According to “Skin Aging and Sex Hormones in Women Clinical Perspectives for Intervention by Hormone Replacement Therapy” published in Experimental Dermatology, studies have shown the positive influence of hormone replacement therapy on skin aging. Phytohormones can have “estrogen-like” effects for those that suffer from an estrogen deficiency. To put it simply, if your acne is hormonal, phytohormones help create balance in the body which can stop acne all together.
It also has other skin-changing effects. These plant-derived hormones have been shown to help reduce the look of wrinkles and inflammation. Boris Entrup explains in Beauty 40+: 24 Beautiful Step-by-Step Looks, “(Phytohormones) help the skin to store more moisture and aid in the creation of more collagen and elastin resulting in a former, smoother appearance.”