Acne are generally believed to be something more related to teens than adults but for many adults it has been different and they still suffer from acne in their twenties or thirties. Some people did not even experience acne before reaching their twenties, the causes of adult acne are usually different from those in teens but mostly one or the combination of the following is true in their case.

Stress
Until recently, stress related acne was a myth. Researchers are now beginning to understand the correlation between stress and acne. For adult acne sufferers, stress is considered to be the leading cause to post-pubescent breakouts. When we are exposed to stressful situations, the brain triggers the central nervous system, which in turn sends signals to the rest of the body as part of a primitive fight or flight response. Part of this response is hormonal release from our adrenal glands and fatty secretions from the sebaceous glands, which lay beneath the skin. Both hormonal imbalance and fatty secretions, which can clog pores, are known contributors to acne outbreaks.

Hormonal Imbalances
Hormonal imbalances as a cause of adult acne primarily affect women. Imbalances that occur during a woman's menstrual cycle or as a result of pregnancy can lead to acne outbreaks. There are adult males who report that they have monthly acne episodes. While men obviously do not menstruate, it is believed that men may have hormonal cycles similar to women. Adults tend to ingest more coffee than do teens. The caffeine in coffee and tea promotes the production of cortisol, which is also known as the stress hormone. As noted, hormone imbalances are known contributors to adult acne.

Smoking
The chemicals introduced into the body by cigarette smoking limit blood circulation to skin cells, inhibiting the skin's ability to heal and regenerate. The toxins released in cigarette smoke can clog pores and promote bacterial growth in pores, all of which contributes to adult acne.

Heredity
Recent research has shown that people are more likely to suffer from adult acne if they have a family history of adult acne sufferers. Environmental Job conditions that expose the skin to high levels of pollutants, irritants, or humidity can lead to an increase in adult acne.

Cosmetics
Poorly formulated cosmetics that are heavy or greasy can clog skin pores, trapping bacteria, dirt, and oils resulting in adult acne breakouts. Covering acne with makeup can make the condition worse.

Knowing the cause of your acne can help in curing it in a better way, you should try figuring out the real cause of your acne before going for medications.