Reasons You Have Adult Acne, and  Ways to Get Rid of It =

The Causes:

1. Your hormones may be to blame.

2. Stress can be an extra (and very influential) driving force.

3. Pollution isn't helping your case either.

4. You may be using the wrong products.

5. You're cleansing too frequently and intensely.

6. Specific foods may or may not have an effect—the evidence is all super fuzzy.

7. Your sweet tooth is causing a skin problem.

The Treatments:

1. The ingredients to look for:

• Salicylic acid is the gold standard of acne treatment. It's also called a beta-hydroxy acid. Salicylic works by exfoliating gently to unclog pores. It's in a ton of OTC cleansers and spot treatments, and it's gentle enough to use on your whole face.
• Benzoyl peroxide works by actually killing the acne bacteria, while exfoliating the pores at the same time. It's not so gentle and can make skin really dry and irritated if you use too much. Stick to spot-treating with this one.
• Sulfur draws oil out of skin and has a drying effect, making it another great spot treatment. You'll also find it as the active ingredient in some face masks, like Cosmedix Clear Clarifying Mask.
• Glycolic Acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid and an exfoliating ingredient that targets both acne and wrinkles at the same time. "The same way it helps acne, it helps wrinkles—by removing dead cells on surface. If you have effective exfoliation, you're stimulating collagen and hyaluronic acid," Dr. Schultz explains. This will help improve skin's texture and reduce fine lines and wrinkles while also clearing up breakouts.
• Retinol is a vitamin A derivative, which the skin absorbs and converts to retinoic acid. Retin-A is the prescription form. "Topical retinoids are fortunately one of the most effective treatments for acne, and also happens to be a highly effective antiaging ingredient, because of its collagen-building properties," Dr. Tzu notes. The biggest downside is they're harsh and can sometimes be too much for sensitive skin. For an elegant OTC option, try Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening Solution.

2. Exfoliation is key, and something you should do more regularly.

This is Dr. Schultz's number-one piece of advice. "Exfoliation is the most important thing you can do on a regular basis to be fighting acne both in terms of preventing it and treating it." His go-to ingredient? Glycolic acid. While a glycolic cleanser will help, a treatment that really soaks into your skin is what will give you the results you want. Try BeautyRx Advanced 10% Exfoliating Pads or Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum.

3. Always keep a spot treatment handy.

Spot treatments are key for treating a pimple ASAP. Benzoyl peroxide is often vilified for being harsh, but when it comes to really zapping a zit, it should be your best friend. Just dab it on the trouble spot to dry it out and kill bacteria. For heavy-duty action, try Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Gel; for something gentler, we like Arithmetic Acne Control Complex, which has soothing ingredients to counter the drying effects and is made with adult skin in mind.

4. Look for products that also fight inflammation.

Inflammation is always involved when you have a breakout, causing that swelling and redness we all work hard to cover up with our best concealer. We like Groh Ergo Boost Skin Repair Treatment—it's rich in antioxidants that help calm down irritation, and ergothioneine, a compound naturally occurring in mushrooms, helps repair damaged skin cells.

5. You may need more than just topical treatments.

Hormones are ruthless, and all the topical treatments in the world won't make a difference if yours are seriously out of whack. In that case, you need to fix things internally first. "Medications that manipulate hormonal levels, such as oral contraceptives and spironolactone, are helpful in curbing hormonal chin and lower face outbreaks," Dr. Tzu says. Ask your derm about what might work for you.

6. Never try to extract cysts on your own.

Those big, painful zits will leave a scar if you pick and prod at them—"the only way to reduce it quickly is to drain it, and that's not a DIY deal," Dr. Schultz warns. The reason they're painful is because quick expansion stretches the nerves. "Drinking good red wine is often helpful [to numb the pain]," he jokes. Take Advil, apply a warm or cold compress (whichever feels better to you), and go see your derm. "Cortisone shots are the true 'spot treatments' for painful cystic acne lesions," Dr. Tzu says.

7. There's a difference between scars and hyperpigmentation.

Scars that are indented aren't going to go away on their own and most likely need professional treatment. Talk to your derm about laser options, as well as subcision and microneedling—all proven methods to get rid of scarring. But those brown spots left behind once a zit goes away? You can treat them at home if you're diligent. Dr. Schultz says you have to stick to a regimen of daily sunscreen use, exfoliation, and application of a bleaching product that will help remove the excess pigmentation in the skin. Try Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum.