Question: I’m a man in my 40s and I’ve suddenly started getting acne almost like I’m a teenager again. I’m wondering if this could be the sign of a serious health problem. I’m in good health otherwise. In fact, I recently started a strenuous workout routine.


Dr. Hibberd's answer:
It's not unusual for middle-aged people to have acne. A published study indicated that while majority of men in their 20s had acne; 20.1 percent of men in their 30s had acne; 12 percent of men in their 40s had acne; and 7.3 percent of male study participants 50 or older had acne. There are reports to suggest that raised levels of stress, poor diets, and even too much exercise could cause acne. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has demonstrated that a healthier eating group had a measurable drop in the severity of their acne. Sweat can play havoc with the skin, creating a moist environment for micro- organism growth and the emergence of a skin problem dubbed "exercise acne."
You can keep your face clean with over-the–counter antibacterial face washes, or use topical creams, gels, or lotions with vitamin A derivatives and/or benzoyl peroxide to control your acne. If the acne persists, a dermatologist may be prescribe antibiotics to reduce the amount of bacteria