What Causes Acne in People Who Never Had It Before
Acne can surprise adults who never dealt with it as teens. It often starts due to sudden changes in hormones that ramp up oil production in the skin.
Hormones play the biggest role. Androgens, a type of hormone, tell oil glands to make more sebum, the skin’s natural oil. When sebum mixes with dead skin cells, it clogs pores. Bacteria then grow inside, causing swelling and pimples. This happens even in adults because hormone levels shift at different life stages.
For women, monthly periods bring hormone ups and downs that trigger breakouts around the chin and jaw. Pregnancy causes big hormone surges, leading to pimples on the face, chest, or back. After giving birth, dropping hormones can keep the problem going. Menopause lowers estrogen, letting androgens take over and spark new acne. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome raise androgen levels, causing stubborn spots.
Stress adds fuel. It boosts cortisol, a hormone that increases oil and inflammation. Starting or stopping birth control pills can shift hormones too, bringing out acne for the first time.
Other factors team up with hormones. High sugar foods or dairy might raise insulin, which nudges more oil from glands. New medications, like those for thyroid issues or adrenal problems, can tweak hormones and lead to breakouts. Sweat from workouts, dirty pillowcases, heavy makeup, or hair products trap oil and dirt in pores.
Genes matter too. If family members had late onset acne, you might get it from them. Clogged pores from dead skin buildup, plus bacteria like cutibacterium acnes, turn mild issues into red bumps or cysts.
These pimples often hit the lower face, like jawline and cheeks, unlike teen acne on the forehead. They form deep under the skin over weeks, so they feel tender and last longer.
Sources
https://www.medicaldaily.com/hormonal-acne-adults-acne-causes-skin-hormones-explained-474128
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.woodsidemd.com/post/adult-acne-or-rosacea-why-the-difference-matters-more-than-you-think
https://drsambunting.com/en-us/blogs/sam-bunting/how-to-fix-adult-acne
https://fashionmagazine.com/beauty-grooming/adult-acne-causes-treatments/
