Skin Health Acne Causes of Acne in Older Women By Sharon Basaraba twitter Sharon Basaraba is an award-winning reporter and senior scientific communications advisor for Alberta Health Services in Alberta, Canada. Learn about our editorial process Sharon Basaraba Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD on November 03, 2019 Casey Gallagher, MD, is board-certified in dermatology. He is a clinical professor at the University of Colorado in Denver, and co-founder and practicing dermatologist at the Boulder Valley Center for Dermatology in Colorado. His research has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Learn about our Medical Review Board Casey Gallagher, MD Updated on January 03, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Causes Acne Triggers Prevention When to Get Help If you're frustrated by blemishes you thought you'd left behind in your teenage years, you're not alone. Many women have acne breakouts into their 30s, 40s, and 50s. Here's a look at how common adult acne is among older women, its causes and what you can do to treat the problem. dexter_s / Getty Images Causes Various studies have investigated the prevalence of acne among older adults. The primary causes of acne are the same for the young and old: Over-production of oil, or sebum, by the skinAbnormally sticky or abundant skin cells produced within the follicle, forming a plugProliferation of a normal skin bacteria called P. acnes within the plugged follicleInflammation of the skin Adult acne is more common in women than in men, and it often continues past menopause. Acne Triggers in Older Women According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), there are several factors that may cause acne in women in their 20s, 30s and beyond. They include: Hormone fluctuations: Hormonal fluctuations that occur during menstruation, pregnancy, ovarian cysts, stopping or starting birth control pills, and menopause are believed to be a major cause of adult acne. Hormone imbalances can affect oil production by the skin as well as how effectively skin cells are shed.Family history: If you have brothers or sisters with acne, you may be more likely to develop it as an adult, according to the AAD.Cosmetics: Anti-aging creams, sunscreens, hair pomades, and sprays containing heavy oils or perfumes may clog pores and cause acne, typically along your hairline, scalp, or face. This type of acne can occur later in life and has been dubbed acne cosmetica by dermatologists.Smoking: Acne flares are more common in smokers.Diet: While still limited, research has been emerging that the Western diet, high in sugars, dairy products, saturated fats, and trans fats may stimulate insulin/insulin-like growth factor and promote acne.Stress: Being under stress can boost the production of male hormones called androgens. These hormones, which naturally occur in both men and women, stimulate oil production and can worsen acne. Experts believe that an excessive amount of androgens, a condition called hyperandrogenism, may be a significant cause of late-onset acne in women who didn't have acne as adolescents. Preventing Adult Acne There are simple things you can do on your own to help prevent adult acne and keep it from getting worse. First, wash your skin once or twice a day with a non-drying, non-comedogenic cleanser that won't clog your pores. Look for cosmetic products labeled oil-free, non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic (unlikely to cause acne breakouts). In addition, avoid heavy skin creams or hair products which may aggravate your skin condition. When to See a Dermatologist Whether your acne has persisted since your teenage years or has appeared as a new skin problem in later life, consider seeing a dermatologist if you're looking for treatment options. A specialist can help you determine the factors which may be triggering your acne and can help you with prescription medications to help regulate hormones or treat your breakouts without drying or otherwise irritating your aging skin. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with acne can be frustrating. Our free guide provides expert tips to help you take control. Sign up and get yours today. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Perkins AC, Maglione J, Hillebrand GG, Miyamoto K, Kimball AB. Acne vulgaris in women: prevalence across the life span. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2012 Feb;21(2):223-30. doi:10.1089/jwh.2010.2722 American Academy of Dermatology. Adult acne. Zeichner JA, Baldwin HE, Cook-Bolden FE, Eichenfield LF, Fallon-Friedlander S, Rodriguez DA. Emerging issues in adult female acne. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(1):37-46.