# What Age-Related Acne Really Looks Like
Many people think acne is something that only happens during the teenage years. This is a common misconception. Research shows that acne is surprisingly common in adults, affecting a significant portion of the population well into their thirties and beyond.
Adult acne is more widespread than most people realize. Studies from the University of Oulu found that around 31 percent of 35-year-old women have acne on either their face or back. This means that nearly one in three women at this age deal with acne, yet many of them do not recognize what they are seeing or seek treatment for it.
The appearance of adult acne differs somewhat from teenage acne in terms of location. While teenage acne can appear all over the face, adult acne tends to concentrate in specific areas. The lower portions of the face are most commonly affected, particularly the chin and cheeks. This pattern is consistent across adult populations and represents one of the key differences in how acne presents as people age.
Adult acne shows up in various forms. The most common type is acne vulgaris, which appears as papules, whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, and cystic nodules. These lesions can range from mild to severe, and like teenage acne, they can lead to permanent scarring if left untreated.
One surprising finding is that back acne is far more common in adults than many people expect. About 12 percent of adult women have acne on their back, and 6 percent have acne in both locations. Back acne often goes unnoticed because people do not see it regularly unless they are examined by a dermatologist or specifically look for it. Skin changes on the back are frequently mistaken for harmless heat spots or other minor skin conditions, which means many people do not realize they have acne at all.
The reasons adult acne goes untreated are complex. Poor symptom recognition plays a major role. Many adults simply do not identify what they are seeing as acne, so they never seek help. Additionally, even when people do recognize acne, treatment rates remain surprisingly low. Over-the-counter and prescription acne medications are used only sparingly by adults, and more effective treatments like oral antibiotics and isotretinoin are used very rarely, even for severe cases.
Hormonal factors can influence adult acne patterns. High cortisol levels, which can result from chronic stress and anxiety, stimulate the skin’s oil-producing glands to create more sebum. This excess oil production leads to acne breakouts, particularly on the jawline and cheeks. This hormonal connection explains why stress and anxiety can trigger or worsen acne in adults.
The consequences of leaving adult acne untreated should not be underestimated. Both facial and back acne can result in permanent scarring. The longer acne remains untreated, the greater the risk of lasting skin damage. This makes recognition and early treatment important for preventing long-term complications.
Adult acne deserves to be taken seriously. Although it is often dismissed as a teenage problem, the evidence shows that acne is a legitimate concern for many adults. Understanding what adult acne looks like, where it typically appears, and why it often goes unrecognized is the first step toward getting appropriate treatment and preventing permanent skin damage.
Sources
https://drchernoff.com/non-surgical/skin-improvement/acne-improvement/
