As seen in the Nov/Dec issue of Retail Pharmacy Assistants e-magazine.
Acne is a condition in which the skin becomes inflamed. Most commonly it occurs during puberty, but in some cases, mostly in women[1], it can occur in adulthood.[2]
While adult acne may affect both men and women, it tends to come back as a result of hormonal fluctuations – those seen around menstruation, pregnancy and during perimenopause and menopause, says community pharmacist and master herbalist Gerald Quigley.
Hormone shifts associated with premenstrual tension, pregnancy, and menopause, “where oestrogen levels are fluctuating”, can impact the skin, he says, and during these times, acne breakouts can occur because “the normal oil content of the skin may change … and skin pores [may] become blocked”.
“When they’re blocked, they become clogged and they potentially then get inflamed and sometimes even infected,” Mr Quigley said.
According to Healthline[3], “fluctuating or excessive sex hormones can lead to changes throughout your body and skin”. These changes include “pH imbalance, inflammation, differences in circulation [and] excessive production of oil (sebum)”, and “play a part in the development of adult acne”.
Other potential causes of adult acne may include:
- Genetics (family history).
- Contact irritation.
- Beauty products.
- Stress.
- “Bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes can cause acne when present in the skin”.3
- Diet.
- Medications: Corticosteroids, antidepressants, epilepsy medications and even hormonal contraceptive pills may cause acne.3
- Health conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).3
“Any of these things will cause an ongoing issue where the normal oil content of the skin may change and the skin pores may become blocked,” Mr Quigley said, adding that when skin pores become blocked, they may then get inflamed and even infected.
Elaborating on the potential contributors to adult acne, Mr Quigley cites steroids and adds that situations potentially contributing to blocked pores, leading to acne, include going to bed with makeup on.
“Steroids can cause a problem,” he said. “So, if you’re on prednisone … there’s a higher risk of you getting [adult acne].” He adds that some beauty products may lead to acne breakouts, too, particularly in those who are prone to the condition.
While acne occurs in both teenage years and, in some cases, adulthood, Mr Quigley says adult acne should not be ignored.
“Often adult acne can be a sign that there are other things not right in your body,” he said. “If you try your best to treat it, and it just won’t resolve, you probably don’t have an option other than to see your doctor … you need to get some sort of diagnosis … Our skin [health] is a sign of overall health. We need to treat it very seriously. And if you’re not well, then your skin will often reflect that.”
So, what can you do when acne rears its oily head? Aside from seeing your GP for a diagnosis, particularly during serious, unmanageable breakouts, Mr Quigley says lifestyle factors can be considered.
“There are lots of lifestyle things you can do to make a difference,” he said, suggesting that reducing dairy intake should be considered.
“There’s no doubt that diary has a big involvement [in acne],” he continued, pointing to a high-fat diet, particularly one high in “fast food”, as a potential contributor to acne breakouts.
“We all know that high fat, high sugar, high salt isn’t the way to go, and especially [if you’re] acne prone,” Mr Quigley said. “We’ve got to remove those things.”
He recommends swapping a highly processed diet for one more in line with the Mediterranean style of eating, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein and healthy fats. It’s also important, he adds, to drink plenty of water and get ample fresh air, while also abiding by a skin care routine – “just cleansing, making sure the things that are applied are taken off correctly”.
Mr Quigley says those taking the oral contraceptive pill should discuss its effect with their GP, because “certain oral contraceptives can actually give you acne, as can some menopausal hormone products”.
Reducing stress is another lifestyle consideration to make, he suggests.
“You need to look at the underlying factors [for acne],” he said, among which “stress is very common”.
When considering vitamins, minerals and supplements for dealing with acne, Mr Quigley says zinc could be a key consideration.
“Zinc is a great natural antibiotic for acne [and] is a go-to for any acne issue,” he said. “Just 50mg of zinc a day. It’s an easy option. It works very well and [may] keep people away from [other] antibiotics.”
For stress relief, Mr Quigley suggests that Siberian ginseng may be used in combination with other stress relief methods, such as rest.
“[Siberian ginseng] is brilliant,” he said. “It works within a couple of weeks and just makes a real difference.”
Regarding the role of pharmacy assistants in this space, Mr Quigley says it’s important for them to be “sympathetic and empathetic” with customers experiencing adult acne, as it can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.
“And go back to the basics,” he said. “Keep reminding people [about] clean hands, clean pillows, clean eating – the word is clean!”
References
- nhs.uk/conditions/acne/causes/
- healthline.com/health/adult-acne
- healthline.com/health/adult-acne#causes
This feature was originally published in the Nov/Dec issue of Retail Pharmacy Assistants e-magazine.
