We think of acne as a problem of adolescents as they approach puberty. But that is far from the whole picture.

Acne, also known as pimples or zits, can strike anyone. According to Medline Plus,<,/a> some of the things that cause acne are:

No one knows exactly what causes acne. Hormone changes, such as those during the teenage years and pregnancy, probably play a role. There are many myths about what causes acne. Chocolate and greasy foods are often blamed, but there is little evidence that foods have much effect on acne in most people.

Fitness Health and Diet Tips talks about acne and women:

Most young women and men will have at least a few pimples over the course of their lives. But acne seems to affect men and women in different ways. Young men are more likely to have a more serious form of acne. Acne in young women tends to be more random and linked to hormone changes, such as the menstrual cycle.

As women get older, acne often gets better. But some women have acne for many years. Some women even get acne for the first time at age 30 or 40.