“Growing up, we expect hormones and breakouts to go hand in hand, but adult acne? That’s just plain frustrating.”

I was around 12 or 13 when I had my first spot. I knew immediately what it was, as my older sibling was already suffering with acne. “Suffering” is truly the right word, especially growing up in the early ”90s when skincare knowledge was scarce and often expensive.

It wasn’t too bad at the beginning, here and there, but when I reached 14 it came with vengeance and I didn’t help matters as I was a picker. I tried so many different products I could get my hands on but due to lack of knowledge, low budget and impatience my skin became very sore.

I did try and make some small changes like washing towels, not sleeping with makeup on and drank plenty of water. I followed my older sibling which helped for guidance as we didn’t have much resources in the early 90’s.

My skin began to settle down in my early twenties. Although occasionally the odd spot would appear, I knew the triggers—either lack of sleep or eating junk food.

Fast forward to my early forties, and things started to change. Painful spots began appearing on the sides of my face and neck. Despite being well-versed in skincare by then, the usual products I relied on no longer worked. I researched and bought new products that helped, but it still wasn’t enough for me.

I knew there was an underlining issue, my body was trying to tell me something and I needed to listen. I did some research just to reeducate myself on Acne and the causes as it’s been a while so I had to revisit the facts:

Cause of Acne

• Hormonal Change- As women age, estrogen levels often decrease which leads to more oiley glands, causing acne.
• Diet: Some studies show a diet high in fatty and sugary foods, including milks and sugary drinks can be a cause for acne
• Stress: Stress can trigger the release of substances in the skin that activate inflammatory processes as well as more androgens, a hormone which can lead to more excess sebum production and spots.

Type of Acne:

Did you know? there are six main types of acne-related spots:

1. Blackheads – These are small, black or yellowish bumps that appear on the skin. Despite their dark appearance, they aren’t filled with dirt; the black color comes from the pigment produced by the inner lining of the hair follicle.
2. Whiteheads – Similar to blackheads, but they tend to be firmer and won’t release any contents when squeezed.
3. Papules – Small red bumps that can feel tender or sore to the touch.
4. Pustules – Like papules, but with a white tip at the center due to a build-up of pus.
5. Nodules – Large, hard lumps that form beneath the surface of the skin and can be painful.
6. Cysts – The most severe type of acne spot, these are large, pus-filled lumps that resemble boils and are more likely to cause permanent scarring.

I had no idea there were six different types of acne! I was convinced I had cystic acne as the spots were so painful. Frustrated after dealing with it for months and unsure how to properly care for my skin, I finally made an appointment with the doctor.

A little note- if you’re going through something similar make sure to take pictures and keep a record, this will help the doctor understand and diagnose you correctly. Last thing you want is, to see the doctors and you’re having a good skin day!

My visit to the Doctor was reassuring, we talked about my skin and how it’s begining to affect my moods, she throughly looked my skin and confirmed my acne was Cysts and hormonal related. My hormonal acne primarily appeared along my jawline, a common area for this type of breakouts. Hormonal acne is linked to the overproduction of sebum—an oily substance produced by skin glands—that clogs pores and leads to pimples.

I was prescribed Benzoyl Peroxide- a cream for my face to treat any under the surface spots and pigmentation scars , I was also given an antibiotic – lymecycline, to prevent any future spots. The antibiotic course was for 4 months. I was a bit sceptical at first with the antibiotic as i’m not one to take medicine for not so urgent situations but after reading up on it i decided to give it a try, and within a month there were visible improvements .

The side effects weren’t great at first, but they were short lived. Im currently on my last week to complete the course and I can say during this period the cysts were at bay! Let’s hope it stays that way, I will keep you updated!.

I did also change my skin care, I kept it very simple, I stopped using all acids and retinoid as advised, and did the following :

Mornings : A simple micellar wash followed by a rice toner, a centella moisturiser, spf and an oil free tinted base.

Evenings: if i’m planning to use my benzoyl peroxide, after double cleansing , I avoid applying any serums just incase I react. I would apply a small amount of my medication followed by a ‘fatty’ moisturiser. I do love Avene Tolerance control.

I also made changes to my diet, cutting out sugary snacks, eating more protein, and drinking plenty of water. While the antibiotics course lasted for a few months, the lifestyle shift is a long-term commitment.

“Taking care of your body from the inside truly reflects on the outside“.

If you have any questions or want to share your own experience with acne, feel free to reach out—I’d love to hear from you!

Disclosure: I am not a medical expert, and what was prescribed for me may not work for you. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any medication! until next time! x