For a lot of individuals, the teenage years are supposed to be the peak stage of acne. Thus, when pimples begin popping up in your twenties or get more severe than they were in adolescence, it can be annoying and unsettling. Adult acne is more prevalent than ever, especially in women, and it’s seldom a result of poor hygiene habits or incorrect skincare products. In fact, anything ranging from hormones and stress to food choices and quality of sleep impacts your skin.
Fortunately, once you figure out what’s contributing to your 20s breakouts, they’re manageable. Instead of attempting every trending product on the internet, it’s important to find the underlying cause and create a skincare regimen that is beneficial to your skin and not overloading it.
Here are some reasons why you may be experiencing acne breakouts in your 20s.
Hormonal Changes
One of the biggest reasons why people unexpectedly get acne in their 20s is hormonal changes. Hormones continue to fluctuate well into adulthood, particularly during menstrual cycles, ovulation, after discontinuing birth control, or with conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). These hormonal changes cause more oil to be produced, making it more likely that pores will get clogged.
Hormonal acne commonly shows up on the chin, jawline and bottom of the cheeks. They tend to be more severe, more painful and slower to recover than normal pimples. Over-the-counter products may offer temporary relief, but chronic hormonal acne usually requires a customized treatment plan. However, if your breakouts seem to get worse at a certain time each month or aren’t responding to your normal skin care routine, see a skin specialist.
Daily Habits and Lifestyle
The 20s can be a time when there is a lot of change in a person’s life, for example, going to university, starting a career, having an inconsistent schedule and feeling more stress. These changes are exciting but they may also impact your skin. Cortisol is elevated when you are stressed out and it can encourage your skin to produce more oil. It can also promote inflammation which could lead to acne.
In some people, a lack of sleep, inadequate hydration, smoking, and diets filled with refined sugars or processed foods can also make current breakouts more severe. While food isn't the only cause of acne, but studies show that diets with an elevated glycemic index and too much dairy may lead to flare-ups in some people. Not just that, but bacteria and oil can be transferred to the skin by simply touching your face a lot, not cleaning your phone screen, or sleeping on dirty pillowcases.
Ineffective Skincare Routine
It may make sense to turn to stronger ingredients when you’re breaking out, but going too far can actually backfire. One of the biggest mistakes individuals make is piling on active ingredients on top of each other without providing their skin a chance to adjust. Strong acids, retinol, and exfoliating products may damage the skin barrier causing irritation, redness and even further breakouts.
Another common problem is taking skincare advice from online platforms and not taking into account your skin type. What works for somebody else may not work for you. Trends are fleeting, but healthy skin is often the result of consistency. Remember, a simple skincare routine with a mild cleanser, a non-comedogenic cream, and sunscreen is frequently better than a complex routine with a dozen different stages.
How to Deal with Acne in 20s?
- The first step in managing adult acne is to realize that there is no quick fix. Don’t expect overnight results, rather focus on establishing healthy routines and regularly using the products.
- Twice a day, wash your face with a mild cleanser, keep your skin moisturized even if it feels oily, and apply sunscreen each morning to protect the healing skin from dark spots.
- If you’re adding active ingredients such as salicylic acid, adapalene or retinoids, introduce them slowly to avoid irritation.
- Don’t squeeze or pick at pimples because this causes inflammation and makes dark marks and scars more likely.
- Drinking lots of water, sleeping well and reducing stress can also help you have healthier skin long term.
If your acne keeps returning or begins to affect your confidence, seeing a dermatologist can help you develop a treatment plan that is customized to your needs and addresses the underlying cause of your acne, rather than just dealing with the symptoms.