Adult acne: why does it suddenly appear?

Hormones are often the main cause

When women suddenly experience acne again, hormones often play an important part. Hormonal fluctuations affect the skin’s sebum production. When more sebum is produced, pores become blocked more easily and inflammation has more chance to develop.

This can happen during different stages of life:
– Around menstruation
– During pregnancy
– When coming off contraception
– During the menopause
– During hormonal changes brought on by stress

During the menopause in particular, we regularly see women develop blemishes again, even though their skin has been clear for years. You can read more about this in how your skin changes during the menopause [How your skin changes during the menopause].

What we often see in our boutiques

In our boutiques, we regularly speak with women who are surprised to develop acne again in their forties or fifties. They often tell us that they had barely any spots as teenagers and are now suddenly dealing with deep, underlying inflammation around the chin or jawline. Many women initially think they are doing something wrong with their skincare. In reality, we often find that hormonal changes, stress or shifts in the skin’s condition are the main cause. The reassuring news is that there is usually something that can be done, once you understand what is happening in the skin.

Stress has more influence than many people think

Your skin responds to what is happening in your body. During periods of stress, the body produces more stress hormones. These hormones can stimulate sebum production, which allows pores to become blocked more easily. Stress also affects the skin’s ability to recover. Inflammation can remain visible for longer and existing skin concerns are often made worse. Many women notice that their skin becomes more unsettled during busy periods at work, when they are sleeping poorly or during emotionally demanding times. This is no coincidence.

A lack of sleep can also worsen acne

During sleep, your skin recovers from the strains of the day. When you consistently sleep too little, the skin has less time to carry out that repair process properly.
This does not mean that one bad night immediately causes spots, but a prolonged lack of sleep can contribute to skin that reacts more sensitively to inflammation and recovers more slowly. Sleep therefore often plays a larger role in acne than people think.

Why pores become blocked

Acne ultimately develops when pores become blocked. This happens when sebum, dead skin cells and dirt build up in the opening of the pore. When bacteria are then given the chance to multiply, inflammation develops. You see this as a spot, a red bump or a deep, underlying inflammation. In the article recognising hormonal acne on your face [Recognising hormonal acne on your face], you can read how to tell whether your blemishes may have a hormonal cause.

The wrong skincare can make things worse

Many women try to fight acne by cleansing the skin as thoroughly as possible. It seems sensible, but it often backfires. When the skin is dried out too much, the skin barrier loses its balance. The skin can then begin to produce more sebum in response to that dryness. This can create a vicious circle in which the skin becomes increasingly unsettled. This is precisely why a good approach often comes down to balance rather than drying out.

Several factors often play a part at once

In practice, adult acne rarely stems from a single cause. Usually several factors reinforce one another. One example we often see is a woman going through the menopause who is under more stress, sleeping less well and noticing that her skin is becoming more sensitive. At the same time, her hormonal balance shifts, which increases sebum production. This creates a situation in which blemishes can develop more easily. This is exactly why, at Babassu, we always look at the bigger picture and not just at the spots themselves.

When a treatment can offer support

Sometimes a good routine at home is not enough to bring the skin back into balance. Professional facials can then help to address congestion and improve the skin’s condition.
For acne later in life, a frequent choice is the Natura Bissé Detox Cure. This treatment supports the skin in clearing blocked pores and helps it look fresher and calmer again. During a skin analysis, we look at the factors that may be affecting your acne, so the treatment is better suited to your skin.

Understanding is the first step towards improvement

Adult acne rarely appears without reason. Hormones, stress, lifestyle, the skin’s condition and a hereditary predisposition can all contribute to the development of blemishes. The better you understand which factors are at play for your skin, the easier it becomes to choose an approach that truly suits you. Are you mainly looking for practical tips to calm your skin? You will find them in skincare advice for acne later in life [Skincare advice for acne later in life].

Frequently asked questions about adult acne

Why do I suddenly have acne when I never had spots before?
Hormonal changes, stress, shifts in the skin’s condition and lifestyle factors can all cause acne to develop later in life too.

Is acne during the menopause normal?
Yes. Hormonal changes during the menopause can affect sebum production and contribute to the development of blemishes.

Can stress cause acne?
Stress is usually not the only cause, but it can make acne worse, as stress hormones have an effect on the skin.

Does adult acne clear up on its own?
That varies from person to person. When the underlying cause remains, the symptoms can persist. With the right care and treatment, improvement is often possible.