Treating Adult Acne in Women

More women suffer from adult acne than men, though men tend to have more severe cases.

According to Danielle Baruch, M.D., an experienced dermatologist with Dermatology at Mercy, poor hygiene does not cause acne, although things like eating certain foods and smoking can increase your chances of developing it.

Acne is caused by the skin making too much sebum, which, along with dead skin cells, clogs the pores, making them the perfect place for bacteria to grow.

"Based on how severe your acne is, what your family plans are, we can tailor a program to treat acne. We can treat it topically, and sometimes, there are pills that are really effective to help it," Dr. Baruch said.

Acne around the chin and jawline indicates hormonal acne, which is commonly triggered by hormonal fluctuations that occur around a woman's period, pregnancy and as she approaches menopause.

Family history and underlying health conditions can play a role in developing acne. It can also be a side effect of taking certain medications.

View dermatologist Dr. Danielle Baruch's interview regarding women and acne.