Still breaking out? The grown-up’s guide to navigating hormonal acne

IT FEELS a bit like a cosmic joke, doesn’t it? You spend your teenage years waiting to “outgrow” breakouts, only to find yourself years later (perhaps even at 50), navigating the same stubborn jawline spots.

- GERRY CUPIDO

EVEN adults struggle with hormonal acne. | Freepik

(Freepik)

If you're currently staring at a painful chin blemish and wondering why on earth this is still happening, you aren't alone.

Hormonal acne doesn’t care about the candles on your birthday cake; it’s all about the internal chemistry that keeps our skin on its toes. Whether you are navigating your 20s, 30s, or heading into perimenopause, understanding this cycle is the first step to reclaiming your glow. Here is a breakdown of what's really going on beneath the surface.

Hormonal acne is exactly what it sounds like. Breakouts are triggered by fluctuations in your body’s endocrine system.

It isn't just a “puberty thing”; it’s a lifelong dialogue between your hormones and your oil glands.

• Androgen spikes: The main trigger is an increase in androgens (like testosterone). When these levels rise, they signal your sebaceous glands to produce a thicker, stickier oil.