Adults get acne just like teenagers do. The cause is often the same — hormones. Teens get acne during puberty because the body produces excess sebum, or oil that clogs the pores. This is the same for adults, while the cause may not be puberty there is usually some kind of hormonal change or imbalance going on that causes the excess production of sebum that leads to acne. Treatment for teens and adults is different, as their skin types have different needs. Teens can handle harsher ingredients, for example benzoyl peroxide, which is often too drying for adults.

Look for products containing salicylic acid, which is milder on the skin but still an effective treatment for acne. Retinol and alpha hydroxy acids are other ingredients you may want to try. It might help to do some research on adult acne and look up product reviews before you spend money on over the counter products. Skin care products can be expensive, so you want to make sure to choose the best one for your skin type and problem.