Why won't my adult acne go away?
Adult acne runs on hormones, stress, genetics and sometimes products, which is why teenage scrubbing strategies fail against it. Harsh cleansing strips the barrier and makes oil production worse.
What works: a gentle cleanser twice daily, a non-comedogenic moisturizer, and evidence-based actives, benzoyl peroxide or adapalene, used consistently for eight to twelve weeks before judging. Consistency beats intensity every time.
Deep painful cysts, scarring, or acne flaring with irregular periods deserve professional treatment; prescription options are excellent now, and scars are far easier to prevent than to fix.
Source: NHS, acne
See a doctor promptly if
- Deep, painful lumps under the skin that heal leaving pits or raised scars
- Acne that appears fast over weeks, with a deepening voice or new coarse facial hair
- Sudden severe acne with fever, joint pain, or feeling unwell
- Acne with no periods for three months, when you are not pregnant
- Low mood, avoiding people, or thoughts of harming yourself because of your skin
- A single spot that bleeds, crusts, or fails to heal after several weeks
Answered by the AskDoc Medical Team · Medically reviewed under our Medical Director, MBBS · How we review
The one skin product doctors push
Broad-spectrum SPF 50, worn daily, does more against skin aging and skin cancer risk than any cream sold above it. The best sunscreen is the one you will actually wear every morning.
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