When most people think about acne struggles, they think about adolescence. This is the time in life when many people struggle with acne, and most grow out of it when they reach adulthood. However, there are others that continue to struggle with acne well into their adult life or in an even more perplexing twist, develop acne for the first time as an adult. Adult acne can be a major problem for people when it comes to their self-esteem and confidence. Acne can also be uncomfortable and downright painful. If you are a woman struggling with adult acne, you may wonder what you can do about the situation. Get to know some of the ways you can treat adult acne. Then, you can get the help you need to manage your acne as soon as possible. 

Change Your Skincare and/or Makeup Choices

Some people have skin that is just particularly sensitive to certain chemicals and ingredients such as those found in skincare and makeup products. These products can sometimes clog pores, worsening acne. 

A good start to treating your acne is to switch up the products you use on your face. Look for products that are non-comedogenic (meaning they do not clog pores). You will also want to select products that have little to no oil in them, as oil tends to cause breakouts as well. 

Moisturize Daily

While it may seem counterintuitive when you have acne, moisturizing can provide a great deal of help. Skin that does not get the proper amount of moisture can get oilier (the body's attempt to prevent dry skin), causing acne to develop. As such, find a non-comedogenic, oil-free moisturizer (look for a sensitive skin formula), and use it once a day. This can help to get your skin back in balance. 

Talk to Your Doctor About Hormone Levels

One of the major causes of acne is the fluctuation of hormones in the body. This is why many women are more prone to breakouts when they are menstruating. However, hormone levels that are out of balance, in general, can cause acne as well. And this is true of both men and women.

If you have acne that lasts all month long, it would be a good idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor and to have your hormone levels tested. Should your hormone levels be outside the norms, a medication like hormonal birth control or hormone supplements can help to eradicate the acne you are struggling with. 

Visit a Dermatologist

If you are still struggling with acne in spite of all of these steps, you may want to go ahead and visit a dermatologist. Your dermatologist will speak to you about your lifestyle and habits, inspect your skin, and develop a treatment plan based on your unique individual needs. This generally will include combining different medications. Salicylic acid is one of the acne treatments they may recommend. You might also get a combination of oral and topical medications. 

Now that you know more about dealing with adult acne, you can start trying to manage your condition as soon as possible. Find more resources at sites such as http://www.greaterdesmoinesdermatology.com/.