Why Does Acne Improve With Age for Some People
Acne often gets better as people get older because hormone levels stabilize after the teenage years, reducing oil production and pore clogging. For many, the wild hormone swings of puberty fade, leading to clearer skin in adulthood.
During puberty, hormones called androgens surge in both boys and girls. These hormones tell the skin’s oil glands to work overtime, producing extra sebum that mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria to form pimples. This is why acne peaks in the teens for most people. As we age into our 20s and beyond, androgen levels usually settle down for many individuals, so the skin makes less oil and pores stay clearer.[1][2][4]
Not everyone sees this improvement at the same pace. Women might keep dealing with breakouts longer due to monthly menstrual cycles, where progesterone rises and boosts oil before periods. Pregnancy, birth control changes, or conditions like PCOS can also keep hormones off balance, causing acne to linger into the 30s or later.[2][3][4] Menopause brings dropping estrogen, which lets androgens take over and spark new pimples in some cases.[2]
Lifestyle factors play a role too. Stress raises cortisol, another hormone that amps up oil and inflammation, but as life routines stabilize with age, stress might ease for some, helping skin calm down. Diets heavy in dairy or sugary foods can spike insulin and androgens, worsening acne, but shifting habits over time supports better skin.[2][3]
Skin itself changes with age. Younger skin turns over cells faster, trapping more gunk in pores. Older skin slows this process, which can mean fewer clogs, even if oil production drops. Using the right skincare without harsh stripping also prevents rebound oiliness that fuels breakouts.[3][6]
For those whose acne does improve, it often happens naturally by the late 20s or early 30s as the body matures out of puberty’s chaos. Genetics matter here too; some people inherit skin that bounces back quicker once hormones level off.
Sources
https://www.clinic-2000.com/adult-acne-explained-why-breakouts-start-after-25-clinic-2000/
https://www.medicaldaily.com/hormonal-acne-adults-acne-causes-skin-hormones-explained-474128
https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/about-us/news/acne-over-30
https://drankitmehra.com/blogs/hormonal-acne-causes-treatment-dermatologist-guide
https://clearstem.com/blogs/skin-care-learning-center/clearstem-anti-acne-anti-aging
https://drsambunting.com/en-us/blogs/sam-bunting/how-to-fix-adult-acne
