Hormones continue to shift long after the teenage years — especially for women. These fluctuations stimulate oil production and increase inflammation within the pores.

Common hormonal triggers include:

• Ovulation and menstrual cycles

• Pregnancy and postpartum hormone shifts

• Perimenopause and menopause

• Starting, stopping, or changing birth control

• Hormone therapies

These changes can cause sudden breakouts, typically around the jawline, chin, and neck, which are areas highly sensitive to androgen (testosterone) fluctuations.

Life gets busier — and stress levels tend to rise in adulthood. Unfortunately, your skin feels it too.

Stress increases cortisol, which:

• Stimulates more oil production

• Increases inflammation

• Slows healing

• Disrupts the gut-skin axis

This is why adults often notice breakouts during high-stress seasons or after poor sleep.

As we age, skin naturally sheds dead skin cells more slowly. If you’re acne-prone, this compounds the existing tendency toward clogged pores.

Resulting concerns:

• Bumpy texture

• Clogged pores that won’t budge

• Frequent congestion

• Breakouts that take longer to heal

Corrective exfoliation becomes essential for maintaining clear, balanced skin.

Many adults unknowingly irritate their skin with:

• Over-exfoliation

• Too many active ingredients used at once

• Harsh cleansers

• Drying spot treatments

• Stacked “influencer routines”

A compromised barrier leads to:

• More inflammation

• More sensitivity

• More breakouts

• Slower healing

A simple, balanced routine is often far more effective than a complicated one.

Even high-quality or “clean beauty” products can contain problematic ingredients for acne-prone skin.

Common adult-acne triggers:

• Heavy creams marketed as “anti-aging”

• Natural oils like coconut, cocoa butter, wheat germ

• “Non-comedogenic” makeup (a label that is not regulated)

• Hair products containing waxes, oils, and glycols

Adults also tend to layer multiple products daily, increasing the risk of congestion.

The gut-skin axis plays a significant role in adult acne. When the microbiome becomes disrupted, systemic inflammation rises — and your skin responds.

Common causes:

• Antibiotics

• Certain medications

• Alcohol and sugar

• Food intolerances

• Stress

• Pesticides

• Poor digestion or irregular elimination

Balancing gut health is often a key step in long-term acne clearing.

Adult acne requires a strategy built around balance, barrier health, and ongoing support.

Here’s what works best:

Because adult skin is more sensitive and requires barrier support, personalized routines work dramatically better than generic acne products.

Your routine should include:

• A gentle, acne-safe cleanser

• A corrective toner (mandelic, salicylic, or enzyme-based)

• Hydration serums that strengthen the barrier

• Oil-free or acne-safe moisturizers

• Targeted acne treatments (used strategically, not daily)

This helps:

• Clear clogged pores

• Prevent buildup

• Reduce texture

• Speed healing

But the key is not overdoing it — adult skin needs a balanced, guided approach.

Your skin reflects your internal rhythms.

Supporting sleep, stress management, gut health, and balanced nutrition makes a visible difference.

Avoiding pore-clogging and acne causing ingredients is essential.

Link internally:

See our complete list of pore-clogging ingredients in Acne Lesson 6.

Adult acne responds significantly better with expert support versus going it alone.

This is where our AOS Clear Skin Club becomes invaluable.