What Age Does Acne Really Go Away? We Ask The Experts - Byrdie

Almost all of us experience the occasional breakout, but when does acne stop? For some, it feels like never—particularly as the hormonal changes of adolescence shift to the rearview mirror, but the breakouts persist.

Oily skin, genetics, diet, and hygiene can all play a role in breakouts (and there are other factors to consider, too). In an effort to determine how long breakouts can last, we went to board-certified dermatologists Dennis Gross, MD, Carl Thornfeldt, MD, and Paul Jarrod Frank, MD. Read on to find out whether or not acne goes away with age.

Meet the Experts

• Dennis Gross, MD, is nationally recognized in medical and cosmetic dermatology and dermatological surgery and is the founder of his eponymous skincare line.
• Carl Thornfeldt, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Episciences and Epionce.
• Paul Jarrod Frank, MD, is a celebrity dermatologist, skin care consultant, and the founder of PFRANKMD.

When Does Acne Typically Stop?

For many, acne clears before age 20. However, according to one review, 26 percent of women aged 31-40 had acne, while 12 percent of 41-50-year-old women had clinical acne. The majority of female adults with acne had persistent acne from adolescence on.

"If underlying factors are not addressed, acne may not stop at all," explains Thornfeldt. "Twenty-six percent of 40-year-olds and 12 percent of 50-year-olds [have] acne, and 10 percent of females have oily skin from puberty on through their whole life."

What Causes Adult Acne?

"There are several causes of adult acne, including hormonal fluctuations, stress, and genetics," says Gross. "Adult acne usually begins in the late 20s to early 30s. Stress is a catalyst that can play a role in aggravating the condition. Genetics plays a large part as well."

"Hormonal changes [resulting from] pregnancy can affect adult acne, worsening or improving the condition," he continues. "Another hormonal change that can affect adult acne is stopping the usage of birth control pills, as well as premenstrual hormonal fluctuation. Also, perimenopausal hormonal changes or fluctuations may change the oil chemistry of the skin, which can lead to adult acne."

Other Acne Causes

• Yeast: Thornfeldt says acne may be caused by the skin's allergy to yeast. If you thought yeast issues were only something that happened, well, down south, the skin can also experience yeast overgrowth, which causes aggravation and breakouts. This may be a result of greasy lotions and oils, naturally oily skin, oral contraceptives, and stress, to name a few factors.
• Diet and lifestyle: "Diet and lifestyle play a role in everything with the body from arthritis to wrinkles," says Frank. "Lifestyle isn’t the cause of adult acne, but it's an influential factor. Everyone must consider diet, sleep, and exercise, and minimize pro-inflammatory foods in their diet, like sugar and dairy. Gluten is controversial, but sugars and dairy are the biggest factors and people must cut back."

Does Losing Oil With Age Help With Acne?

Even as we get older and feel our skin is drying out, the absence of oil can cause acne (it's a losing battle, really)."When acne occurs, the oil is too thick and waxy for its own good," says Gross. "Instead of flowing freely through the pores, it becomes blocked and forms a plug. Adult acne is also often associated with dry skin, which can exacerbate an existing acne condition."

He explains: "When the skin is dry, the dead skin cells flake off and can further block pores that already have an oil flow problem incubating the bacteria and leading to acne. These clogged pores—aka flat acne—may result in blackheads or simply appear as enlarged pores on the skin's surface; this is generally the beginning stages of acne."

How to Treat Adult Acne

Gross recommends looking for exfoliating, pore-clearing OTC products to treat adult acne. "To treat acne most effectively—yet gently—start out by using over-the-counter anti-acne remedies that contain either exfoliating, pore-clearing salicylic acid or bacteria-banishing benzoyl peroxide, such as my DRx Blemish Solutions Acne Eliminating Gel. I recommend looking for products that contain bisabolol, an active ingredient derived from chamomile extract that helps soothe redness and reduce inflammation." He also suggests sulfur, "a powerful ingredient that controls the oil that feeds the bacteria."

Thornfeldt also recommends products that address bacterial and yeast-causing acne, like his Epionce Lytic Plus Tx cream. "[It contains] salicylic acid, azelaic acid, willow bark extract, and zinc pyrithione," he explains.

When to Consult a Doctor

Frank says if the acne is more aggressive, a visit to the dermatologist may be in order. "Oral treatments such as pills can be more effective than topical treatments. Isotretinoin [formerly better known as Accutane] is more aggressive, and most dermatologists would agree that it is underused. It's the only 'magic' pill we have. There is no cure for acne, and unfortunately, many patients show up [having] already developed scarring of the skin. A patient should never get to the point when they have scarring. Isotretinoin must be taken seriously, prescribed, and monitored."

The Final Takeaway

There is a range of potential causes of acne—and without addressing them head-on, you might not get any resolution. You might be able to resolve the problem internally (via a change in diet) or externally (by incorporating topicals with dermatologist-recommended ingredients). But if things get really bad, you can always seek professional help and consult a dermatologist.

The 5 Best Face Washes for Oily Skin, Tested by Byrdie Editors