Breaking Free from Adult Acne: Why Your 30s and 40s Aren’t Too Late for Clear, Radiant Skin
If you thought acne was just a teenage phase, you’re not alone—but you might be surprised to learn that about 50% of women in their 20s and 25% of women in their 40s get hormonal acne. The frustrating truth is that acne sufferers commonly experience the onset of hormonal acne in their 20s, 30s or even in their 40s, often catching adults completely off guard when they least expect it.
Understanding Hormonal Acne in Adulthood
Hormonal acne, also called adult acne, is triggered by changes in hormones. Hormonal acne develops when hormonal changes increase the amount of oil your skin produces. Unlike teenage acne that typically appears in the T-zone, adult-onset acne is more prevalent in women and more likely to appear along the jawline than in the “T-zone” of the forehead, nose and chin.
What makes hormonal acne particularly challenging is its stubborn nature. Hormonal acne does not always respond fully to treatment with acne creams, such as topical retinoids, and antibiotics. In some cases hormonal acne does not even respond well to treatment with Isotretinoin. This resistance to traditional treatments often leaves adults feeling frustrated and searching for more effective solutions.
The Root Causes Behind Adult Breakouts
Several factors contribute to hormonal acne in your 30s and 40s. The hormonal imbalance that results in jawline acne is thought to be caused by a relative increase in androgen levels. Common triggers include:
- Changing hormone levels in women, including around your period, irregular periods, during pregnancy, during menopause or after discontinuing birth control
- Stress: Researchers have found a relationship between stress and acne flare-ups. In response to stress, our bodies produce more androgens (a type of hormone). These hormones stimulate the oil glands and hair follicles in the skin, which can lead to acne
- Pre-existing medical conditions (polycystic ovary syndrome, other ovarian conditions and metabolic conditions)
Professional Treatment Options That Actually Work
The good news is that effective professional treatments are available for hormonal acne. While adult acne can be frustrating for many women, regardless of their age, we have a wide spectrum of treatments that work. Here are the most effective professional treatment options:
Topical Treatments
Based on the severity of your acne, different treatment options are available to reduce sebum production, pimple formation and painful inflammation: Blackheads and whiteheads: Topical cream (tretinoin). Inflammatory acne: Topical retinoid and/or topical antibiotic and/or benzoyl peroxide. Topical retinoids may help treat mild to moderate hormonal acne. If OTC retinoids aren’t effective, a doctor may prescribe a stronger topical retinoid.
Hormonal Therapies
For many women, addressing the hormonal component is crucial. Oral contraceptives can be used to help treat hormonal acne in people assigned female at birth. Together, these ingredients target the hormones that can contribute to acne. This can be especially helpful during peaks in hormones, such as ovulation.
Another option is a prescription diuretic called spironolactone, which can block the effects of androgen in women. Spironolactone (Aldactone) is an oral medication that blocks the effects of androgens on the skin. Most women begin to notice less oily skin and fewer breakouts within a month of starting spironolactone, but this treatment can take three months before full results are evident.
Advanced Professional Treatments
For those seeking cutting-edge solutions, newer treatments show promising results. One of the newest advances in hormonal acne treatment is WINLEVI topical cream. It is a 1% clascoterone formulation that targets the effects of acne-causing hormones in the skin that cause inflammation and excess oil production. Applied to clean dry skin twice a day, it can help reduce hormonal breakouts within 10-12 weeks.
BBL Forever Clear is a revolutionary broadband light therapy that treats the root cause of acne – without medication, topical creams, or birth control pills. Women dealing with hormonal breakouts can see significant improvement in their skin with this quick and painless in-office treatment.
Finding Expert Care in North Carolina
When dealing with persistent hormonal acne, seeking professional help from experienced skincare specialists is essential. For those in the Triangle area seeking professional skin care north raleigh, Wake Skincare offers comprehensive treatment options tailored to address adult acne concerns.
At Wake Skincare, we specialize in creating personalized treatments that make you look and feel your best. From the moment of your initial consultation, our signature services and a wide array of intensive treatments are tailored to meet your unique needs. Our treatment options span from holistic, all-natural methods to advanced cosmeceutical and medical-grade solutions. Whether you’re dealing with acne, scars, rosacea, blackheads, congestion, dullness, dehydration, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, or sagging skin, our intensive treatments provide effective relief and noticeable improvements.
Located in Wake Forest, North Carolina, Wake Skincare was founded by Jacqueline Grace, who is deeply passionate about making people feel and look beautiful. Her skincare journey led her to Wake Forest, North Carolina, where she opened a luxurious facial spa, inspired by her training and mentorship under Maria of Italian Skincare. When Maria returned to Rome, Jacqueline took over, evolving the spa into what is now Wake Skincare, celebrated for its specialized treatments that leave your skin glowing.
The Importance of Professional Assessment
If nothing clears your acne, you should see a dermatologist. Effective treatment is available. Often a dermatologist will use two or more treatments. With a dermatologist’s help and a bit of patience, virtually every case of acne can be controlled.
Professional skincare specialists can provide comprehensive evaluations that consider your unique hormonal patterns, lifestyle factors, and skin type. Each person’s skin is unique, and personalized HydraFacial treatments can be tailored to your specific concerns. Highly trained estheticians are well-versed in the latest skincare techniques and can create a treatment plan customized for you, whether your goal is to combat acne, sun damage, or signs of aging.
A Comprehensive Approach to Clear Skin
Successfully treating hormonal acne in your 30s and 40s often requires a multi-faceted approach. Combining different treatments usually works best. Your primary care provider or dermatologist can help you come up with the best plan for you. This may include professional treatments, proper skincare routines, and lifestyle modifications.
To clear up hormonal acne and keep it at bay it’s important to establish an appropriate skincare routine. Wash your face in the morning and again in the evening. Additionally, research showed that dairy and sugar are among the greatest factors associated with acne. Research suggests that some high-glycemic and dairy foods could affect hormones like insulin and androgen, causing acne to develop. If you have hormonal acne, you may consider limiting sugar, dairy, and refined carbs, such as white bread and pasta.
The journey to clear skin in your 30s and 40s doesn’t have to be a solo battle. With the right professional guidance, effective treatments, and a comprehensive approach, hormonal acne can be successfully managed. However, with the right knowledge and guidance, clearer skin is possible. There are a number of effective treatments and new ones being found all the time. Don’t let adult acne define your confidence—take the first step toward clearer, healthier skin by consulting with experienced skincare professionals who understand the unique challenges of hormonal acne in adulthood.