Waking to breakouts when you thought acne was behind you? Feeling frustrated but not sure what to do? Believe it or not, adult acne is more common than you think, and it can be just as frustrating, if not more, than those pesky teenage pimples we all endured!

From hormonal changes and stress to skincare mistakes and environmental factors, there are a number of reasons why blemishes can return in adulthood. The good news? With the right targeted skincare routine and lifestyle changes, you can achieve clear skin once again! Keep reading as we discuss what’s causing your breakouts and, more importantly, our expert approved tips and solutions on how to treat them!

Why you’re getting breakouts - the most common triggers for adult acne

Unfortunately, adult acne can be caused by a number of factors, often different from the breakouts we experienced in our teens, so it’s important to try and identify your specific root cause. Everything from hormonal imbalances, stress, diet, and even the medication you might be taking can contribute to your breakouts. Here are the most common triggers:

 1. Hormonal Imbalances

If you are experiencing blemishes and acne in your 40’s and 50’s, chances are it could be to do with perimenopause and the menopause. And if you had a history of pimples and acne as a teenager, you’ll more likely to be susceptible to getting acne flare ups now too! Unfortunately, fluctuations in our hormones, particularly androgens (like testosterone), can increase oil production, this excess oil can then mix with bacteria, dead skin and debris leading to clogged pores and breakouts! This is why acne also often flares up around the menstrual cycle, and during pregnancy, as well as due to conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

2. Stress

When you're stressed, your body produces more cortisol, which can stimulate oil glands and worsen acne. Stress-induced inflammation can also slow healing, making breakouts last longer.

3. Skincare & Makeup products

Using the wrong skincare or makeup or simply overloading your skin with it, can clog pores and trigger breakouts. Too many products, as well as heavy, oil-based, or comedogenic products can worsen acne, while harsh cleansers can strip your skin and in turn cause it to go into overdrive and overproduce oil, which is where the cycle comes into play!

 4. Diet

Some studies suggest that high-glycemic foods (like white bread, potatoes, rice, cereals), dairy, and processed sugars can trigger acne by increasing inflammation and oil production so if you are ingesting much of these foods it could be one reason for your increased blemishes!

5. Lifestyle

It can be hard to get that 8-9 hours of sleep a night believe me! But lack of sleep, as well as other lifestyle choices like smoking and drinking alcohol and sugary drinks can and will affect your skin in one way or another and it’s usually through the increase in blemishes.

6. Environmental Factors

Pollution, sweat, and even your phone screen or pillowcase can harbor bacteria that contribute to breakouts. Regularly cleaning your phone and changing pillowcases can help reduce bacteria exposure.

6. Medications

Certain medications, including steroids, birth control pills, and antidepressants, can disrupt hormones or increase oil production, leading to breakouts.

7. Over-Exfoliating or Harsh Skincare

Too much exfoliation or harsh acne treatments can strip the skin’s natural barrier, leading to more oil production and irritation, making acne worse instead of better!

How to treat breakouts and adult acne

1. Cleanse gently (but effectively!)

Many people with acne-prone skin make the mistake of over-cleansing or using harsh scrubs, which can strip the skin and lead to even more breakouts. Instead, opt for a gentle cleanser with acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid.

We highly recommend Hubislab A.C Clearing Purifying Cleansing Gel. It’s a soothing gel-based cleanser which has been especially formulated (salicylic acid and powerful antioxidant green tea) for congested and acne prone skin to completely but gently clear pores, removing makeup, dirt and grime from the skin without over-drying, all whilst protecting the skin against oxidative damage.

2. Don’t skimp moisturiser

It’s a common misconception that oily or acne-prone skin doesn’t need moisture! The truth is, when your skin is dehydrated it can actually produce even more oil to over compensate, leading to further breakouts, eek! You do need to be careful about the moisturisers you choose though!

When looking for the best moisturisers for acne prone skin, you’ll want to choose lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturisers that hydrate without clogging pores, like the ProCorrective Clear-Control Moisturiser for balancing hydration and oil control. It’s carefully selected non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging) super skin-clearing, calming and hydrating ingredients (we are talking Zinc Chloride, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Cinnamon, Thyme, Mallow, Witch Hazel, Tea Tree Extract, Niacinamide, Glycolic and Salicylic Acids, Microcitrus Australasica, a.k.a. Caviar Lime and Hyaluronic Acid!)combine to deeply target acne by rapidly clearing away blemishes and clogging, while moisturising and smoothing uneven texture. It’s so good! In fact the whole Pevonia ProCorrective line is outstanding for the management of adult acne!

3. Exfoliate regularly (but don’t overdo it!)

Exfoliation is key to unclogging pores and preventing breakouts, but doing it daily can damage your skin barrier. Stick to gentle chemical exfoliants with AHAs or BHAs (like glycolic or salicylic acid) two times per week to keep your skin smooth and clear.

We love Pevonia Enzymo Spherides Peeling Cream. Do not let the name ‘peeling cream’ put you off though! Papaya and Pineapple have been selected for their enzyme peeling action, an action that gently digests away impurities, sebum, toxins and the dead skin cells, instead of abrading or burning them off. So, it’s gentle, really gentle, and it’s effective too! Nothing makes skin feel cleaner, lighter or more purified than this jar of goodness and it’s easy to use! Simply apply a thin layer on cleansed skin, wet the fingertips with warm water, this will help to “wake up” the enzymes, then leave them to do their thing for 5-10 minutes, then rinse away. 

4. Spot treat your skin

When a breakout appears, resist the urge to squeeze it please! And yes, I know how tempting it can be, but squeezing spots can spread bacteria and exacerbate your acne! Instead, use a targeted spot treatment with ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, or tea tree oil to reduce inflammation and speed up healing.

5. Manage your stress

Easier said than done we know, but there are some amazing aids and coping mechanisms when it comes to stress. Try to give yourself a little “me” time. This might feel like an impossibility especially if you are a busy, working mum! But we are simply talking even a few minutes a day to soak in a bath, read your book, listen to a podcast, meditate, exercise or simply listen to music! Breathing exercises can also be game-changing and I know have seriously helped me! One of the main symptoms of perimenopause is anxiety and being in my mid 40’s I have definitely been hard hit. I find music and breathing has helped no end. I’m telling you just a little time out can make a noticeable difference in your skin’s clarity.  

6. Choose your makeup wisely

Heavy, oil-based foundations can clog pores and worsen acne so you’ll want to opt for non-comedogenic, breathable makeup formulas, and always remove your makeup before bed to prevent buildup and irritation!

Mineral makeup is the best makeup for acne prone skin, its free from common irritants such as fragrances, preservatives, and synthetic dyes, making it less likely to cause breakouts or allergic reactions plus so many formulations are lightweight and breathable, so you literally feel like you aren’t wearing makeup (even though it will help conceal those blemishes) and will literally allow your inflamed skin to breathe and not be clogged!

I know I am biased but I have been using ELES Mineral Makeup for YEARS. And I will never use anything else. I can hand on heart say their products have helped my skin, prevented me from getting spots even! I personally love the ELES Mineral Sheer Tint and ELES Mineral Powder Foundation, but the no. 1 ELES best-seller is the Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation, and the reviews speak volumes!

All three products are mineral, filled to the brim with skin friendly, anti-ageing ingredients and do not ever clog pores! Brillant stuff.

7. Watch your diet

If you are struggling with adult acne, you should try and cut down on high-glycemic foods which have been linked to acne flare-ups. Also try reducing your intake of processed sugars and dairy products. Instead eat a diet rich in antioxidants (like leafy greens, nuts, and berries) and healthy fats (like fish, avocado and unsalted nuts), and increase hydration to help balance skin.

8. Try to get enough sleep

Sometimes getting that 7-9 hours of solid sleep a night can seem like an impossibility, I know! But sleep really is essential for skin health because it allows for cellular repair, collagen production, and hydration balance. During deep sleep, our body boosts blood flow to the skin, helping to reduce inflammation, prevent premature ageing, and promote a radiant complexion (crazy right?)

9. Stay kind to your skin and consistent with your routine

From spots to adult acne, we know how frustrating breakouts can be! But constantly switching products can often make things worse! Remember to treat your skin with gentle, nourishing care and give products time to work their magic. Clear skin doesn’t happen overnight! Sticking to a consistent skincare routine with the right products for your skin type really is key to preventing breakouts in the long run.

By following these simple yet effective tips, you can take control of adult acne and enjoy a clearer, healthier complexion, we promise!