Why Acne Appears During Major Life Transitions
Life changes like starting a new job, moving to a new city, or facing family shifts can bring unexpected pimples. These transitions often shake up your body in ways that lead to breakouts, even if you never had acne as a teen.
One big reason is hormones going out of whack. During times like pregnancy, stopping birth control, or entering menopause, hormone levels shift fast. For example, dropping estrogen lets androgens, which are male-like hormones, take over. These boost oil from skin glands, clog pores, and spark inflammation that turns into pimples. Jawline spots are a classic sign of this in women, often linked to cycles, polycystic ovary syndrome, or perimenopause.
Stress piles on during these changes. Big events ramp up cortisol, a stress hormone that cranks oil production and worsens clogs. Poor sleep from worry or new routines makes it harder for skin to heal, letting bacteria thrive and cause more breakouts.
Daily habits shift too. New diets with sugary foods or dairy can spike insulin, messing with hormones and adding inflammation. Skipping exercise or using heavy makeup in a rushed life traps oil and dirt. Even medications for stress or other issues might trigger flares.
These factors hit harder in transitions because your body is adjusting all at once. Women in their 30s, 40s, and beyond see this most, with up to 12 percent of those 41 to 50 dealing with it. The pimples tend to be deeper and more painful than teen ones, showing up on the chin, jaw, or neck.
Sources
https://woodlandswellness.com/why-middle-aged-women-are-turning-to-acne-fillers-for-solutions/
https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/about-us/news/acne-over-30
https://www.medicaldaily.com/hormonal-acne-adults-acne-causes-skin-hormones-explained-474128
https://www.westchestercosmeticdermatology.com/blog/adult-acne-why-it-happens-and-how-to-treat-it/
https://www.oreateai.com/blog/understanding-acne-causes-triggers-and-solutions/f88ee5ac12abf0411691321d54966900
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/health-and-wellness-around-the-world/article-879585
https://emani.com/blogs/emani-beauty-blog/causes-of-acne
