Adult Acne Explained: Why Breakouts Aren’t Just for Teens

Acne is often seen as a teenage rite of passage—but if you're still dealing with breakouts in your 20s, 30s, or beyond, you're far from alone. At The Treatment Centre, adult acne is one of the most common concerns we help clients manage, and it's one that deserves the same care, understanding, and individualised treatment as any other skin condition.

Let’s take a closer look at why adult acne happens, what might be triggering your breakouts, and how a personalised, holistic approach can help you regain control over your skin.

Adult acne refers to persistent or new-onset breakouts that occur after the age of 25. It can present as whiteheads, blackheads, cysts, or inflamed pimples, often located on the jawline, chin, and cheeks. Unlike teenage acne, which is usually oil-related, adult acne is often driven by deeper systemic or lifestyle factors.

Understanding the cause is the first step toward meaningful treatment. Adult acne is rarely caused by just one factor—it’s usually a combination of internal and external influences, including:

Fluctuations in hormones—common during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause, or when coming off the pill—can stimulate oil glands and lead to breakouts, particularly around the jawline.

Chronic stress raises cortisol levels, which can increase oil production and inflammation, setting the stage for acne to thrive.

Some people are sensitive to dairy, sugar, or highly processed foods, which can trigger inflammation and hormonal fluctuations. Gut health plays a significant role in skin health too—imbalances in the gut can reflect on the skin.

Using products that are too harsh or not suited to your skin type can disrupt your skin barrier, leading to increased sensitivity and breakouts.

Pollution, sweat, wearing masks, or exposure to pore-clogging environments can all aggravate the skin.

At The Treatment Centre, we take a personalised, holistic approach to managing adult acne. Rather than suppressing symptoms with generic solutions, we work to understand the why behind your breakouts and tailor your care accordingly.

We begin by exploring your skin history, lifestyle, hormone health, and current skincare routine to uncover triggers and patterns.

Depending on your skin’s needs, we may recommend:

• LED Light Therapy – to reduce inflammation and support skin healing

• Customised Facials – to gently clear congestion and support barrier health

• Clinical Peels – to exfoliate and rebalance oil production

• Microneedling – to address post-acne marks and encourage skin renewal

We guide you toward products with proven acne-fighting ingredients like niacinamide, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, and retinol—while ensuring they’re balanced to protect your skin barrier.

Where needed, we provide education and referrals to support your skin from within—addressing stress, hormonal health, and nutrition in a way that’s sustainable and empowering.

Adult acne is a legitimate skin condition, not a sign of poor hygiene or bad habits. Your skin is responding to deeper imbalances, and with the right care and knowledge, it can be restored to health.

If you're tired of battling breakouts, we’re here to help. Book a Skin Discovery Session with The Treatment Centre and discover a personalised path to clearer, calmer skin—rooted in compassion, science, and results.