Just because you’re over the puberty stage and has survived your teenage years, doesn’t mean you are now saved from getting acne.  Even after age 18, 25, 30, and so, many people—mostly women—get acne for the first time in their almost pimple-free existence.  This is called adult-onset acne.

Acne is caused by an increase in androgens or male hormones that are present in both sexes.  For women, it is caused by a decrease in the hormone estrogen, and an increase in progesterone.  A certain type of bacteria and diet are also linked to acne appearance.

The difference of adult acne with teenage acne is that the pimples are more commonly found on the lower cheek, the chin, and along and below the jaw line; blackheads and whiteheads are not apparent; and inflamed pimples, especially the “deep ones” may feel like they’re coming from under the skin.

It is possible though that these papules are only mistaken as acne but are not acne at all.  They might be Rosacea, a persistent redness from underlying blood vessels or Endocrinopathy, an underlying hormonal abnormality which causes acne that’s hard to control.

Effective treatments for mild and severe acne include topical retinoids such as Retin-A and Differin, topical antibiotics, combining benzoyl peroxide with topical antibiotics or retinoids (also called “combination therapy”), oral antibiotics, and hormonal therapy with certain oral contraceptives or other anti-androgen medications.