Adult Acne: The Emotional Fallout

With a growing number of women dealing with the physical and psychological impact of acne, Charlotte Philby reports on the causes and treatments

- Charlotte Philby

‘When you develop acne as an adult, it can be really hard to accept,’ says Anna Brahms, 34, who had perfectly clear skin all through her teens. It wasn’t until the age of 23 that the PR executive from Edinburgh developed pimples on her chin, which soon escalated to full-blown acne. ‘Suddenly I had these painful cysts that started beneath the skin, grew to a bump, and left marks that would take weeks to fade. I always had between one and five angry spots at any one time. It made me feel unkempt and less professional.’

Anna’s situation is not unusual. Around five percent of women in the UK over the age of 25 have adult acne. Some have residual problems that started in puberty and never went away, while others, like Anna, suffer from the late-onset variety. The condition is caused by the overproduction of oil from the sebaceous glands – not, as many people assume, by poor diet or hygiene. While there is no definitive answer as to why some people get it and others don’t, it does tend to run in families.

Dr Stefanie Williams, who is medical director of London’s Eudology clinic, says there has been a sharp increase in the number of women visiting her clinic with issues of adult acne. And while no one knows what’s causing the rise, stress and a diet high in refined sugars and carbohydrates can exacerbate the problem, as can an unsuitable skincare routine. ‘The majority of patients I see use products that can contribute to the issue,’ she says. ‘This may be because they see wrinkles and turn to anti-ageing creams, which tend to be quite rich and can trigger acne in predisposed individuals.’