How can I get rid of adult acne? Here are eight of the best treatments to banish the blemishes
Zits and blackheads are not just plaguing teens
IF you're one of the lucky ones, you'll have waved goodbye to the days of zits and blemishes in your teenage years.
But some women are prone to spots in adulthood. Here's more about it.
Why do women get spots in adulthood?
Some people breeze through their teen years with barely a blemish on your skin.
But for many women, acne in later life is becoming an increasing concern.
In 2015 a study of 92 private dermatology clinics found a 200 per cent rise in the number of adults seeking specialist treatment for acne.
What's worse, women are five times more likely than men to be affected by adult acne.
A number of factors including fluctuating pregnancy hormones, the menstrual cycle and changing methods of contraception (the pill, coil or patches) trigger outbreaks.
Seven ways to tackle those stubborn spots
Even celebrities have suffered - Cameron Diaz, Kate Moss and Victoria Beckham to name just a few.
But here are seven things we can do about it:
Visit your doctor
Sun Doctor Carol Cooper advises anyone suffering with late life acne to visit their GP.
She warned: "For some people, acne is down to something else, like polycystic ovary syndrome, so this needs to be investigated.
"Your GP can recommend antibiotic gels, tablets - there will usually be a step-by-step progression to see what works."
One treatment your doctor may recommend is Skinoren cream, which contains the active ingredient azelaic acid.
Azelaic acid kills the the bacteria associated with acne and reduces the growth of the keratin surface skin cells that can block pores.
This helps to unblock the pores and sebaceous glands (which secrete sebum) meaning it doesn't become trapped, reducing the formation of blackheads and spots.
Try retinol
One woman has been hailed for revealing that retinol helped her get rid of her cystic acne.
In a Reddit post entitled "Hard work and retinol really make a difference", user Egotr4p shared a side-by-side image of herself before and after starting a new skin regime.
She explained that while she didn't see a dermatologist, she used tretinoin .025 percent - a prescription-strength retinoid.
This particular product is only available via prescription, but you can get lower-strength retinols over-the-counter.
However, retinol isn't the only part of her routine.
She also relies on a six-step system in the morning and seven steps at night, using products including cleanser, toner, Micellar water and vitamin C serum.
Alongside her new skincare routine, the Reddit user has overhauled her diet and converted to veganism.