As a skin therapist, one of the most common skin conditions I have seen and treated over the years is adult hormonal acne.

Adult acne is a skin concern widely seen in 25-year-olds plus and more commonly seen in females.

Dealing with such skin condition can be really frustrating and emotionally draining. I've been often told by my clients "I have tried everything and nothing has worked!".

What I always tell them is:

"Your acne does not define you, you are not your acne. You have come to the right place and together we will solve your skin issue - it may take time, but CONSISTENCY is the key'

Also read: Why do I Still Have Acne?

When it comes to adult hormonal acne, the most popular question asked is "Why am I getting acne as an adult when I didn't have acne as a teenager?"

This is a very complex question to answer, and there is not just one answer. Everyone's body works systematically different from each other.

In females, hormonal adult acne can happen due to hormonal fluctuations, such as the ones experienced during menstruation, in the post-partum period or breastfeeding.

However, there are many other triggers and factors in play here.

Many factors can trigger hormonal adult acne.

• Hormonal imbalances
• Genetics
• Environment
• Lifestyle (think alcohol, smoking, highly processed foods)
• Another common cause in the past few years has been chronic stress

What does hormonal adult acne look like and how to identify it?

Hormonal adult acne generally appears as red, large, painful, under the skin pimples, and also in the form of cysts.

The areas in which these breakouts appear are:

• Lower half of the face
• Cheeks
• Jawline
• Chin
• They can also be present on the chest and back

Where do I start to fix my hormonal adult acne?

With hormonal adult acne, the root of the cause is commonly associated with internal issues - in other words, your body is telling you something is not balanced in your inner health.

These can be seen through:

• Poor gut health
• Not eliminating your bowels
• Inefficient liver function
• Lack of nutrients
• Overproduction or underproduction of either estrogen or testosterone

Seeking guidance through a naturopath and receiving detailed blood tests of your hormones, nutrients, vitamins and minerals is one way to start fixing the cause of your acne (instead of just band-aiding it with medication or the contraceptive pill).

Seeing an experienced Skin Therapist that can put you on a personal tailored home regime and professional skin routine is also a must when dealing with hormonal adult acne.

Moreover, professional skin treatments will definitely help you and can consist of chemical peels, dermal needling, and healite treatments.

Also read: The 9 Triggers of Acne and How to Prevent Them

These are a few products I recommend to my clients when dealing with adult acne:

As I said before, every skin is different, and there are many causes for adult acne. If you're unsure which product is right for you or would like to have a personalised skincare program designed for you to target your specific concerns, reach out to us - we offer Complimentary Skin Consults via Zoom, on the phone, email or in person!

About The Author 

My name is Sari Pols,
I have been in the skincare industry for over 15 years. My passion lies in ‘Health’. Health for the skin and body. My philosophy is if we have good well-being on the inside, then it shows our vitality on the outside.
I have furthered my knowledge of Skin Anatomy, Skin Concerns, and Fitness. I am a true believer in how to make my clients feel their best both inside and out. My emphasis is on guiding my clients through their journey of skin concerns and conditions. I do not like to bandaid a concern or condition but want to get down to the root of the cause. I aim to give personalised consultations with treatment and correct prescribed skin products.