By Courtney Humphries

Q. Is acne treated the same way in adulthood as in adolescence?

A. Pimples and zits are hallmarks of adolescence, so it can come as a surprise when people find their skin still breaking out well into their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Dr. Deborah Scott, a dermatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, says acne medications are similar in adolescence and adulthood, but there are different considerations for older skin.

For one, many treatments targeted to teens focus on combating oily skin, which isn’t as much of a concern in adults. “Some of the agents we use in adolescence that are drying aren’t appropriate in adults,” she says. Adults should avoid harsh skin care products and may need a noncomedogenic moisturizer — which doesn’t promote breakouts — along with their acne treatment.

Women with acne that persists into adulthood often benefit from treatments that control hormones, including birth control pills, Scott says. Doctors may recommend more aggressive treatment for adults who clearly aren’t outgrowing their acne, particularly when there is scarring. Adults can be more prone to scars and pigmentation changes from their acne, Scott says, because “our skin seems to be less resilient in recovering from the inflammation.”

The term “adult acne” is sometimes used to describe rosacea, a separate condition in which the skin becomes red and inflamed around the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, and eyelids; the skin can develop bumps and pimples similar to acne. Rosacea is sometimes treated with similar medications, such as antibiotics or topical retinoids, but over-the-counter acne medications won’t help.