Acne often starts in the teenage years but can stick around or get worse as we age because of changes in our bodies and daily habits. While teen breakouts usually come from a big surge in oil from puberty hormones, adult acne builds up from a mix of ongoing triggers that make pores clog more easily and inflammation last longer.
One main reason acne becomes more stubborn over time is shifting hormones. In adults, especially women, hormones like androgens can stay out of balance due to things like menstrual cycles, birth control changes, pregnancy, or menopause. These raise oil production, leading to clogged pores along the jawline and chin rather than the forehead. Conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, make this worse by boosting male hormones that keep oil glands overactive, turning occasional pimples into persistent ones.[1][2][4][6]
Stress and poor sleep add fuel to the fire. They ramp up hormone levels like cortisol, which tells skin to make more oil and triggers inflammation inside pores. Over years, chronic stress weakens the skin’s protective barrier, letting bacteria like Cutibacterium acnes thrive in clogged spots and cause red, swollen bumps that heal slower.[1][2][4][5]
Diet plays a bigger role as we get older too. Foods high in sugar, like sodas and pastries, or dairy and whey protein spike blood sugar and insulin, which boost oil and clog pores faster. If you eat these often, breakouts can become a regular pattern that simple washing does not fix.[1][2]
Skin care mistakes make persistence worse. Washing too much strips natural oils, so skin overproduces them to compensate, trapping dead cells and bacteria. Heavy creams, makeup, or non-comedogenic sunscreens in wrong seasons clog things more. As skin dries out with age, it gets sensitive and reactive, turning mild clogs into deep cysts.[1][2][3][4]
Seasonal shifts and lifestyle habits keep the cycle going. Summer heat and sweat mix with oil to feed bacteria, while winter dryness irritates skin and sparks flares. Hot showers, dirty pillowcases, or friction from masks add up over time, making acne harder to shake.[2][3]
Genetics and immune responses seal the deal for many. If family members had long-lasting acne, you might too, as genes control oil and healing. A strong immune reaction to bacteria inside pores leads to more inflammation and scarring if not caught early.[2][5]
Over time, these factors layer on top of each other. What began as quick teen pimples turns into adult acne because pores take 4 to 6 weeks to fully clog and inflame, and without addressing root causes, the process repeats and strengthens.
Sources
https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/about-us/news/acne-over-30
https://www.doctorrogers.com/blogs/blog/acne-pimples-101-why-we-break-out-what-s-actually-going-on-and-how-to-handle-it-like-a-dermatologist
https://www.deblieckdermatology.com/blog/1397079-seasonal-acne-why-breakouts-change-throughout-the-year/
https://www.chevychasedermatology.com/blog/acne-treatments/adult-acne-vs-teen-acne-why-breakouts-dont-always-end-after-high-school
https://www.fivensondermatology.com/acne
https://drsambunting.com/en-us/blogs/sam-bunting/how-to-fix-adult-acne
