Why Does Acne Improve Then Suddenly Worsen
Acne often gets better for a while as your skin adjusts to treatments or lifestyle changes, but then it flares up again due to hidden triggers like hormones, diet, stress, or skincare habits that sneak back in. This cycle frustrates many people, especially adults over 30 who thought their breakouts were behind them.
When acne starts to improve, it usually means your routine is working at first. Topical creams, cleansers, or medications reduce oil, unclog pores, and fight bacteria, leading to clearer skin. Your skin barrier strengthens, and inflammation calms down. But this progress can reverse quickly if something disrupts the balance.
Hormones are a top reason for sudden worsening. In women, adult acne often hits the jawline because of hormonal shifts from birth control, pregnancy, menopause, or conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). These raise androgen levels, male hormones that boost oil production and clog pores. Even if acne was improving, a cycle change or stopping pills can spike hormones and bring back pimples along the jaw or T-zone.[1]
Diet plays a big role too. Foods high in dairy, sugar, or refined carbs like sodas, pastries, chocolate, and whey protein create inflammation that worsens acne. You might see improvement when eating cleaner, but one indulgent meal or high-glycemic snack can trigger a flare by ramping up oil and pore blockages.[1][2] Saturated fats, trans fats, and salt also fuel a pro-inflammatory state in the body, making breakouts return fast.[2]
Stress and poor sleep add fuel to the fire. They increase stress hormones like cortisol, which tells your skin to make more oil. If your acne was calming down during a low-stress period, a tough week at work or late nights can undo that progress.
Skincare mistakes often cause rebounds. Washing your face too much strips natural oils, weakening the skin barrier. Your skin overcompensates by producing extra oil, inviting bacteria and irritation that lead to more acne. Switching products suddenly or using the wrong ones for your skin type can do the same.[1]
Using the wrong treatments at first can purge existing clogs, making acne look worse before better, but true flares happen when triggers override the gains. Keeping a breakout log helps spot patterns, like linking pimples to certain foods or stress days. Talking to a dermatologist can pinpoint if hormones or PCOS are involved and suggest targeted fixes.
Sources
https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/about-us/news/acne-over-30
https://www.dermatologyadvisor.com/factsheets/diet-and-acne/
