When most people think of acne, they think of teenagers. However, acne is quite common in adults as well. And sadly enough, adult acne is often more difficult to treat than its teenage equivalent.

Most of the time adult acne is related to hormonal fluctuations. The right cleansing routine is important, but hormonal therapy is often the most effective type of treatment. Here's a look at the different alternatives adults have for treating their acne skin.

Acne Remedies and Skin Care Products

You may feel a bit uncomfortable when you're an adult that's looking for the right acne skin care products. However, just keep in mind that adult acne can be treated with the same types of products used to treat teenager acne. This should make your search a bit easier.

Acne responds very well to salicylic acid and retinol, which are both ingredients that help regulate the production of sebum. They can also eliminate it from the surface of the skin.

Benzoyl peroxide is another ingredient that is very effective against acne, however, it can irritate sensitive skin. If your skin isn't responding well to this ingredient or is very dry and sensitive, then you might want to use more moisturizer or switch to tea tree oil.

Another great way to treat acne is by using AHAs. These ingredients are known to help exfoliate the skin and remove excess sebum, dead cells, debris, and bacteria. This will help reduce the appearance of clogged pores and acne breakouts.

Along with choosing the most effective products, adult acne skin care should include the right cleansing routine to help keep your skin acne free. Remember, your skin needs to be cleansed, toned, exfoliated, and moisturized regularly. This basic routine should be enough for most cases of mild to moderate acne.

Oftentimes doctors will prescribe antibiotics or Accutane. If this is your case, then make sure to consult with your doctor about the possible side effects these medications can cause. Accutane, especially, can cause severe problems.

Acne Remedy: Hormone Therapy

If your cleansing routine and over the counter products are not having an effect on your acne, it's time to ask about hormone therapy. There are a couple of options you can try to get your acne under control. Both choices have to do with inhibiting the production of certain hormones.

If you are a woman, then birth control pills are a common way of treating hormonal acne. They center their efforts on reducing the levels of testosterone in the body. Another form of hormone theraphy are DHT inhibitors.

Recently, studies have shown that a person's ability to convert testosterone into DHT has a direct effect on the appearance of acne. By inhibiting DHT you can help reduce the risk of acne outbreaks.