{
  "id": 13505428,
  "title": "Adult acne is real, but there are ways to treat it. Here's what to know",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/adult-acne-is-real-but-there-are-ways-to-treat-it-heres-what-to-know-13505428",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-10T19:20:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-10-adult-acne-real-ways.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Adult acne is a condition that affects people beyond their teenage years, causing embarrassment and affecting self-esteem. Adult acne can appear on the face, chest, and shoulders, and can even be found on the back—a phenomenon known as \"bacne.\" Dermatologists emphasize that treatments vary from person to person and depend on what is causing the acne and how it looks.\n\nTreating acne involves understanding its underlying causes. Acne develops when pores become clogged with oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells. This process can lead to whiteheads, blackheads, or painful red bumps, and may take weeks to months to heal. Factors contributing to acne include genetics, hormones, the environment, and diet. For instance, excessive dairy consumption has been linked to acne in some individuals.\n\nWhile many people try to pick or pop their pimples, dermatologists strongly advise against this. Picking can lead to deeper inflammation, spread of acne, and an increased risk of scarring. The risk of scarring is particularly high for darker-skinned individuals, as their skin produces extra pigment when stressed.\n\nTreatment options for acne range from over-the-counter products to prescription medications. For mild cases, over-the-counter creams containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinoids such as adapalene can be effective. More severe cases may require higher-strength treatments like antibiotics or isotretinoin. Hormonal acne, common in women, can be treated with birth control, spironolactone, or cortisone shots. Expert dermatologists also recommend using exfoliants and face washes with glycolic acid to help fade discoloration. In cases of severe scarring, dermatologists may recommend more aggressive treatments such as laser therapy.",
  "summary": "As a teenager, Gillian Maegan Montalbo's pimples weren't too bad—just a few bumps on her forehead and nose.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Adult acne is real, but there are ways to treat it. Here’s what to know",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/adult-acne-is-real-but-there-are-ways-to-treat-it-heres-what-to-know",
        "published": "2026-10-10T11:59:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}