One of the first things we might have thought about when reaching adulthood was that we would not have to worry about acne anymore. Imagine our horror to realise that acne is something that still happens even after puberty. Depending on our diet, lifestyle and the environment around us, we will most probably see a pimple or two from time to time even more so for women when we experience our monthly bleeding.

However, we can avoid a bad breakout by paying close attention to our daily routines. What we surround ourselves with and the stress we face every day plays a major factor in the health of our skin.

In this article, we will cover the major causes of adult acne, how to minimise them and also what treatments are available for them.

What Are Some Of The Causes of Adult Acne?

Sometimes the simplest reason for the sudden breakouts might just be that your pores are clogged. Pores are not your enemy and actually perform an important role in the skin by keeping your skin soft and protected. However, once clogged by dead skin cells, excess oil, dirt and/or possibly bacteria, pimples will appear on the skin surface.

If this is the case, it is relatively simple to address. It might mean that the facial cleanser you use might not be working effectively or that you might need to exfoliate more regularly.

Hormones

Menstruation can cause fluctuation in hormonal levels that are normal, hence, acne is expected the closer you are to having your period. The increase in progesterone during your periods after ovulation is related to acne and can increase the sebum production on your skin.

But hormones are not just related to menstruation cycles. Androgens like testosterone can increase sebum production as well and can contribute to hormonal acne. Because your hormones are fluctuating, hormone-related acne usually pops around the time of your period, during or after pregnancy, during premenopause or menopause and when you start or stop using hormonal birth control.

Food

Certain foods that are fried, loaded with sugar such as fast food and pizza could increase the frequency of acne breakouts. Other items such as chocolate, caffeine or dairy could also be a culprit in the latest appearance of pimples.

Now that we have covered some of the main possible causes of the acne breakout you might be facing as an adult, let’s get into the treatment options.

Pollution

Living in Singapore, air pollution can affect a great many things including our skin. Besides UV radiation, air pollution throws a lot of dirt on our skin. The excess amount of dirt on our faces increases the percentage of pores being clogged and the increase in acne.

Cleansing your face after time outside can decrease the risk of acne.

Using the Wrong Skin Care Products

Not knowing what type of skin you have (oily, dry, normal, combination) can lead you to invest in the wrong skincare products. What works for the people around you might not work for you simply because everyone has a different type of skin.

If you have oily or combination skin, using water-based products or oil-free products can help to decrease the chances of acne. But it is always important to know that if you have an oily skin type, it doesn’t mean your products have to be stripping away your natural oils or that your face should feel dry after a facial cleanse. In fact, making sure your skin is hydrated is arguably more important than using the “right” product for you.

Stress

Stress is a constant fixture in our lives and there’s nothing inherently bad about it. Knowing when you’re undergoing a huge amount of stress can prepare you to expect acne and to treat it when it happens.

The hormone cortisol has a strong link to acne as our bodies create cortisol under chronic stress. It can be produced in our hair follicles and different types of skin cells. Cortisol has also been referred to as a stress hormone but it’s also important in helping to regulate the different body processes we undergo. Some of which are the immune system, digestive system and neurological systems that can affect our moods.

However, the true link between acne and stress is when cortisol is being over-produced which causes issues with our body processes and our skin.

Too Frequent or Intense Cleansing  

One of the first things some people might do when they’ve had an acne breakout is to over wash the skin. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you might feel like you only need to cleanse once a day but most of us might probably need to cleanse our faces twice a day. If you’re cleansing your face more than that, it might cause the skin to overcompensate and create even more oil to hydrate the face.

Another common mistake is to exfoliate the face more than usual. Some exfoliating products can be too harsh on our skin and they can even damage or exacerbate existing acne. Depending on your skin type, you should be exfoliating not more than three times a week.

Different Treatment Options

Oral Medications

If your acne is severe and topical creams have failed to make a difference, you might want to consider oral medications. We would recommend consulting with a dermatologist as they will be able to prescribe the right oral medications based on your skin condition. These medications will help to manipulate hormonal levels and are helpful in preventing outbreaks.

Spot Treatments

If you’re looking to treat a pimple quickly, spot treatments that contain acne-fighting ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide work by killing the bacteria responsible for acne. However, it can be harsh and may not be suitable for those with sensitive skin.

Acne Treatment Innovations: Exploring Non-Invasive Solutions

Persistent or adult-onset acne can be challenging, especially when topical creams or oral medications offer limited relief. Fortunately, medical aesthetic advancements have introduced non-invasive technologies that may help manage acne symptoms more effectively.

📌 Photothermal Therapy for Sebum Regulation

One such category of treatment is Photothermal Therapy (PTT) — a method that uses light-based energy to reduce excess sebum and acne-causing bacteria without damaging surrounding skin tissue. These therapies often involve steps such as:

• Deep facial cleansing
• Delivery of topical or transdermal agents (e.g., gold-based particles or skin boosters)
• Light or laser activation (e.g., picosecond laser, low-level light therapy)

This form of treatment is designed to help regulate oil production, improve skin texture, and promote a clearer complexion with minimal downtime.

🔗 You can learn more about Cambridge Medical’s sebum-regulating options here.
Consultation is advised to determine your skin’s suitability for these treatment methods.

📌 Plasma-Based Skin Rejuvenation

Another category gaining popularity is plasma-based skin regeneration, a technology that delivers controlled heat energy to the skin surface to rejuvenate cells and treat multiple skin concerns simultaneously — such as:

• Acne and acne scarring
• Enlarged pores and dull skin
• Fine lines and pigmentation irregularities

Plasma systems are known for being quick and well-tolerated with minimal downtime. The sessions typically last between 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the skin concern being addressed.

🔗 Cambridge Medical provides a variety of skin renewal solutions, which you can explore here.

Wrapping Up

Every acne journey is unique. While new treatment options such as photothermal and plasma-based therapy may offer promising results, it’s essential to work with a medical professional who can assess your skin and guide you toward the most suitable approach.

📌 Disclaimer

This article is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Treatment options are subject to suitability as assessed by a licensed medical practitioner at Cambridge Medical Group.