Acne is a problem that is considered to be a problem for teens and young adults. For the most part, those problems tend to pass as people age, and acne simply becomes a bad memory. For others, it is not so simple. Adult acne can be a problem for someone at nearly any age, and when it comes on and whether it ever goes away are questions that are not easily answered. There are effective treatments for adult acne – both natural and those involving prescription medications.

The following treatments are worth considering in the battle against adult acne.

#1 Cut the carbs

It’s well-established that diet has a significant influence on skin health, and refined carbohydrates, in particular, can be a major problem.

A 2007 study from Australia showed that people who adopted a low-glycemic index diet (which cuts carbohydrates like the ones that are found in white bread) had a 22 per cent reduction in acne lesions.

#2 Reduce dairy

Dairy products may be another food group that can make adult acne worse. In 2006, a study conducted at Harvard concluded that girls who included two or more glasses of milk as part of their daily diet were about 20 per cent more likely to experience break-outs compared to the group that drank less than a glass of milk per week.

#3 Blue light

Here’s one of the newer, high-tech treatments that have shown promise in the fight against adult acne. Dermatologists actually use a powerful blue light on affected areas. The light is able to kill off the bacteria that can cause acne. These treatments can be expensive and are not always covered by insurance.

#4 Aldactone

This prescription drug was originally developed for the treatment of hypertension or high blood pressure, but it is now being put to use as an effective treatment for adult acne. It helps regulate key hormones which tend to cause the development of acne.

#5 Tea tree oil

Those that prefer a natural approach to acne treatment would have no problem getting on board with this one. Tea tree oil, if you can put up with the strong aroma, is exceptionally good at exterminating bacteria, including the bacteria on the skin that promotes acne.

#6 Stress

This might be a bit surprising to some people, but for those who have studied up on the effects of stress on the body, it might be expected in light of all the other negative health consequences that go along with stress. Although stress is not considered a cause of acne, many believe that it can indeed make it worse.

#7 Antibacterials and retinoids

These are probably the acne treatments that are most familiar to people, and they are often recommended by dermatologists to treat adult acne. From all appearances, these treatments appear to work quite well and are treatments that have been used and proven for a number of years.

#8 Birth control pills

Obviously not an appropriate treatment for everyone with adult acne, and about as far from a natural treatment as you can get, but in some cases, birth control pills are a very effective treatment for adult acne.

This treatment also comes with its own set of unique and possibly very serious side effects, so opting for this treatment is not a decision that should be made lightly.