Unfortunately, many people can keep on experiencing acne in their 30s, 40s and even beyond. According to The American Academy of Dermatology adult acne is actually on the rise, now affecting up to as many as 15% of women. Why is adult acne on the rise? No one can say for sure, but one speculation connects increasing industrialisation and pollution with the increase: “One reason for increased prevalence is due to living in a developed area,” says dermatologist Ainah U. Tan, MD. “Studies have shown that industrialised nations have higher rates of acne.”
While research shows that adult acne seems to disproportionately affect women, acne can affect men or women of any age from puberty onwards. One study reported that “female patients account for two thirds of visits made to dermatologists for acne, and one third of all dermatology office visits for acne are by women who are older than 25 years.”