Acne in adults

Although commonly thought of as a condition which affects teenagers and young adults, acne in adults is a common and often embarrassing affliction. Fortunately, there are a number of effective and natural treatments available.

Originating in Australia, tea tree oil has been shown to tackle mild to moderate acne breakouts. A low-cost serum can be found in most health food stores. Although most beneficial when applied directly to the affected skin, some users will find the harsh smell and slight burning sensation to be bothersome. For those individuals, many products feature tea tree oil in a diluted form. Although it is considered a natural remedy, users should always take care when using it for the first time to determine the onset of any adverse affects.

Start by washing your skin properly. A gentle washing with a mild cleanser helps remove built up oil and the cells of dead skin that can clog your pores. Don't overwash because it can lead to dry skin. Dry skin signals your body to produce more oil which will contribute to prolonged acne.

However adults are not completely safe from developing acne. About 8% of adult population has a form of acne. Not as much as the teen acne but equally unpleasant. Most cases of adult acne have one common cause: overactive hormones. This hormonal imbalance translates in excessive oil production by the sebaceous glands.

Sebaceous gland is attached to every hair follicle. They produce sebum, an oily greasy substance with the purpose of keeping the skin moist. When too much sebum is released by these glands we may have a problem. Excess sebum combined with skin's dead cells can lead to a blocked skin pore which can turn in a form of acne: blackhead, whitehead or more serious forms cysts and nodules.

If sebum excess creates the premises for acne then bacteria, Propionibacterium, which is inoffensive on a healthy skin, becomes responsible for developing acne when the skin is inflamed. In this case you can develop pimples, cysts, nodules. If you ignore them these acne can lead to permanent deep scars.