Why Does Acne Become More Persistent Over the Years
Most people think acne is just a teenage problem that fades away after high school. But for many adults, it sticks around or even gets worse with time. This happens because the reasons behind breakouts change as we age, turning simple pimples into ongoing battles.
Teen acne usually comes from a big rush of hormones during puberty. These hormones, called androgens, make oil glands in the skin work overtime. The extra oil mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria, clogging pores and causing inflammation. It often shows up on the forehead, nose, and chin.
In adults, things shift. Hormonal changes keep coming but in different ways. For women, monthly cycles bring ups and downs in hormones that spike oil production right before periods. Pregnancy floods the body with hormones, and after birth, they drop suddenly, leading to more breakouts. Menopause lowers estrogen, letting androgens take over and cause stubborn pimples. Men can face this too, but women see it more often, with spots along the jawline and lower face.
Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, make it even tougher. High androgen levels from PCOS keep oil glands active, making acne persistent and hard to shake. Other health issues, such as thyroid problems or adrenal disorders, can raise androgens too, fueling the fire.
Stress plays a bigger role as life gets busier. It raises cortisol, a hormone that boosts oil and inflammation indirectly. Poor sleep adds to this, weakening the skin’s defenses.
Diet sneaks in as a hidden trigger. Foods high in sugar, like sodas and pastries, or dairy can spike insulin and androgens, worsening sebum production. Unlike teens, whose skin handles excess oil better, adult skin gets drier and more sensitive over time. This makes it react strongly to irritants.
Habits we pick up also keep acne going. Overwashing strips the skin’s barrier, prompting more oil to compensate. Heavy makeup or the wrong skincare products clog pores further. Environmental factors and certain medications that mess with hormones add to the mix.
Adult skin differs from teen skin in key ways. It is less oily overall but more prone to deep, painful cysts instead of surface pimples. Breakouts last longer because hormonal imbalances build up over years, and lifestyle stresses compound them. What started as puberty surges evolves into chronic triggers that demand a different approach.
Sources
https://www.medicaldaily.com/hormonal-acne-adults-acne-causes-skin-hormones-explained-474128
https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/about-us/news/acne-over-30
https://www.chevychasedermatology.com/blog/acne-treatments/adult-acne-vs-teen-acne-why-breakouts-dont-always-end-after-high-school
https://fashionmagazine.com/beauty-grooming/adult-acne-causes-treatments/
https://drsambunting.com/en-us/blogs/sam-bunting/how-to-fix-adult-acne
