Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1547015
34 ASCP Skin Deep Autumn 2026 GETTY IMAGES SKIN PHYSIOLOGY A CLIENT ENTERS the treatment room frustrated, exhausted, and discouraged with her adult acne. She is 34 years old and has tried "everything." Acne cleansers. Exfoliating acids. Spot treatments. Retinoids. Social media recommendations. Even professional treatments designed to "dry out" breakouts. Yet her skin is worse than ever. Her cheeks are inf lamed, the skin around her mouth burns when applying products, and new breakouts continue appearing along the jawline every month. She is convinced she has stubborn acne that won't respond to treatments. But after a closer evaluation, the issue becomes clear: The primary problem is not solely excess oil production. Her skin barrier is severely compromised, inf lammation is chronic, and repeated aggressive treatments have pushed the skin into a cycle of irritation and reactivity. Adult Acne Isn't Always Acne by Paloma Diniz This scenario has become increasingly common in modern esthetics practice. Adult acne is one of the most frequent concerns seen in treatment rooms today, but it's also one of the most misunderstood. While breakouts are often grouped into a single category, adult acne can present through multiple underlying mechanisms, each requiring a different treatment strategy. When professionals rely on standardized protocols without identifying the driving cause, treatment outcomes often become inconsistent. In many cases, overly aggressive correction worsens inf lammation, prolongs recovery, and increases sensitivity. The most effective providers aren't necessarily the ones using the strongest treatments but the ones who can accurately identify what the skin is communicating.