The facts about adult acne

Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme, medical director at West London’s Adonia Medical Clinic, lays down the facts you need to know about adult acne.

Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme
Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme

Caused by bacteria

Adult acne is acne found in anyone over the age of 18 and is caused by bacteria that builds up in the skin.

Patricia Bright
@thepatriciabright

It’s more common than teenage acne

Adult acne can happen to anyone at any point in time. For some, it can be triggered by using a product with poreclogging ingredients or if they are going through pregnancy or menopause.

Genetics play a part

Some people will have a genetic predisposition that is more likely to create an environment in which the bacteria of acne will be happy to grow and appear on the skin’s surface.

Lydia Dinga
@lydiadinga

Both inflammation and bacteria need addressing

Acne is caused by a bacteria that grows in the thickness of the skin. However, for that bacteria to turn into acne, it must spark an inflammation. This inflammation is the body’s response to the presence of the bacteria. It sends cells to get rid of the bacteria, which causes the skin to become inflamed with redness, pain and puss. For this reason, the inflammation as well as the bacteria must be addressed.

Follow Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme on Instagram.

Feature image by @taj.mahaly.

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