Acne after age 30 surprises many people who thought breakouts were just for teenagers. It often shows up as deep cysts or pimples along the jawline and cheeks, and women tend to get it more than men.
Hormones are a big reason for this kind of adult acne. In women, shifts in hormones like androgens, which are male hormones everyone has a bit of, can ramp up oil production in the skin. This extra oil clogs pores and leads to inflammation. These changes happen during the menstrual cycle, with progesterone rising before periods, or from bigger issues like polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. PCOS raises androgen levels and comes with signs like irregular periods, weight gain, and extra facial hair.[1][2]
Birth control can play a role too. Starting or stopping pills or IUDs might throw off hormone balance and spark breakouts. The same goes for times like pregnancy or menopause when hormones fluctuate a lot.[1]
Stress makes things worse by releasing cortisol, a hormone that boosts oil production. Poor sleep has a similar effect, keeping your skin from recovering overnight.[1][2]
What you eat matters as well. Foods high in sugar, like sodas, pastries, and chocolate, or dairy products spike insulin and oil levels. Whey protein shakes fall into this group too. Processed foods can add to the problem for some folks.[1][2]
Using the wrong skincare products or washing your face too much strips away natural oils. Your skin then overproduces oil to fight back, trapping bacteria and causing more pimples.[1]
Certain medications, like steroids or some birth control, can mess with hormones and trigger acne as a side effect.[2]
Keeping track of when breakouts happen can help spot patterns tied to your cycle, diet, or stress. A dermatologist can check for hormone issues like PCOS and suggest the right fixes.[1][2]
Sources
https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/about-us/news/acne-over-30
https://drankitmehra.com/blogs/hormonal-acne-causes-treatment-dermatologist-guide
https://fashionmagazine.com/beauty-grooming/adult-acne-causes-treatments/
