What It Could Mean When You Get Acne After Turning 50 – Health Digest

Happy 50th birthday to you? Maybe not if you’re experiencing a sudden (and understandably exasperating) burst of pimples and blackheads.

Although acne tends to be associated with adolescence, it’s far from being just a tween and teen phenomenon. People of all ages — including the AARP crowd — can find themselves facing acne. In fact, as a 2018 article found in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology shows, up to 22% can expect to have acne as adults. Worse yet, adult acne may be on the rise.

According to a piece published in 2022 by Dermatology Times, adult women are more likely to struggle with acne than ever before. In a decade, the rates of acne among adult females have risen by 10%. 

Obviously, it’s troubling to hear those types of statistics. And it’s even more frustrating to look in the mirror as a 50-something and see pimples and blemishes. However, rather than just lamenting your acne, listen to it. When acne appears later in life, it might be telling you that something else is happening in your body.

To understand the connection between acne and aging, Health Digest sought the expertise of cosmetic and medical dermatologist (and founder of Skincare Junkie) Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose. As she explains, acne in mature adults isn’t uncommon and can pop up for a variety of reasons.

“The most likely causes of late-onset acne are hormonal changes and use of acne-promoting skincare products or cosmetics,” Murphy-Rose asserts, though she adds that those are far from being the only cause of late-age acne. “Other possible causes of new-onset acne in your 50’s include certain acne-causing systemic medications, dietary changes, and increased stress.”

Let’s start with all those hormone zigs and zags: As people (particularly women) age, their hormonal balance can get thrown off — and sometimes the imbalance stems from external sources, like stress. As Dr. Mary Sheu, a dermatologist and medical director of the Johns Hopkins Dermatology and Cosmetic Center noted in an interview for Johns Hopkins Medicine, stress can wreak havoc on hormones, thereby prompting breakouts. Explains Shue, “Stress can increase certain hormones, such as cortisol. This can lead to more inflammation, which can trigger and worsen acne.”

An older study from 2017 that was offered in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology supports the correlation between stress and acne. During the study, the researchers examined the relationship between perceived stress levels and acne in a select group of adult females. They found that the more stress the participants felt, the worse their acne became.

Of course, women aren’t the only ones who can get acne as they age. Men can, too. For instance, the Cleveland Clinic notes that taking steroids can exacerbate acne in adult males.

But what does all this eruption of breakouts mean? Murphy-Rose cautions against assuming that constant bouts of acne are only related to stress or hormonal changes. In fact, she advises getting unusual acne checked out to be it isn’t a symptom of a more chronic or acute issue. 

“It’s important to rule out possible underlying causes including acne-inducing medications and systemic medical conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS),” avers Murphy-Rose. Healthline adds that another medically related acne cause can be Cushing’s syndrome. Both PCOS and Cushing’s syndrome affect hormones, although as Cushing’s Disease News explains, they aren’t the same condition and need to be diagnosed so a proper treatment plan can be established.

Here’s another fact worth throwing into the mix: Your “acne” might not be acne at all. It could be a different dermatological condition. Says Murphy-Rose, “Rosacea may appear very similar to acne and often first appears during the 4th or 5th decade of life.” That’s why she recommends seeing a healthcare provider so you can treat your acne (or what looks like it) appropriately.

Let’s say you’ve established that your acne isn’t due to a medical condition. In that case, it’s time to figure out how to tackle it. And to be fair, you may wind up experiencing a bit of product deja vu if you had blemishes as a teenager. 

As Murphy-Rose explains, “Many of the treatments for acne are the same whether [the] onset [is] in teens or later in life.” Therefore, you may recognize some of the brands and solutions you used when you were younger to get rid of outbreaks, such as over-the-counter or prescription topical medications or oral drugs.

As part of your mission to get rid of your acne, you may want to review the skincare products you’re using. The American Academy of Dermatology Association suggests looking at labels for buzzwords like “oil-free” and “non-comedogenic” since they’re less apt to irritate your skin. Be sure to do this with other creams, serums, sunscreens, and even perfumes that you apply to your skin. Otherwise, you may end up inadvertently causing acne cosmetica.

Just make sure you’re patient with the process — and know that not all preventative steps are going to work well or right away to keep your acne from reappearing. Murphy-Rose admits that many of her patients who have acne ask, “What am I doing wrong?” Often, she answers, “Nothing,” because acne can develop even if you’re following a healthy skincare regimen.

Since stress often comes up in acne discussions, it’s worth mentioning some well-received techniques to reduce stress (and therefore reduce a known acne trigger.) While there’s no guarantee that relieving stress will relieve you of your adult-onset acne, it’s a good idea in general. The Cleveland Clinic notes that when you manage your stress, you’re setting yourself up for less anxiety, more energy, and fewer troublesome gut problems.

There are dozens of stress-lowering techniques you can try, so feel free to experiment. For example, you might want to incorporate meditation into your daily routine. One 2023 study published in Scientific Reports focused on the results of putting participants through 10 weeks of mindfulness training. By the end of the study, participants who practiced mindfulness exercises reported a higher degree of well-being. In addition to meditation, the Mayo Clinic recommends exercise, healthy eating, and socializing as other avenues to tame stress.

Just remember that adults get acne, too. However, it might be more than meets the eye. Therefore, looking deeper into what’s making it appear can help you gain control over your physical and mental health.