Breakouts used to be a teenage rite of passage you outgrew. Now? It’s crashing the adult party, especially for women.
If your skin is still throwing tantrums well past your teen years, don’t stress. You’re not alone, and there’s plenty you can do.
We enlisted our skincare expert and Global Education Ambassador, Tracey Beeby, to share the key triggers, practical fixes, and ingredients to watch.
Teen vs. Adult Acne: What’s the Difference?
Teen acne usually appears near the skin’s surface, think: blackheads, whiteheads, and the occasional pimple caused by puberty-fueled oil production.
Adult acne runs deeper, and may often appear as painful cysts and hormonal breakouts along the jawline and chin, linked to menstruation, pregnancy, or perimenopause. These take longer to heal and often leave scars.
What’s really causing your breakouts?
Hormones are a big trigger, but not the only one. Stress spikes our bodies' cortisol levels, which ramps up oil production. UV, pollution, and heat can all clog pores, weaken the skin’s natural defenses, and create the perfect breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.
The biggest skincare misstep you’re probably making?
Mixing and matching products from different brands. Skincare lines are designed to work as a system. When you cherry-pick from everywhere, you risk overloading your skin. Over-exfoliating, or relying on old-school hacks as a quick fix (toothpaste-on-pimples), can also do more harm than good. Instead, keep it simple and consistent.
The right products for your skin.
Breakouts don’t need a 10-step routine to treat, just the right products. Start with the Ultra Clear Foaming Cleanser, powered by Salicylic Acid and Clove Oil to gently clarify the skin and unclog pores.
Follow with the Ultra Clear Treatment Lotion, a targeted blend of Mandelic Acid, Salicylic Acid, and Niacinamide to target and calm breakouts.
Lock in hydration with Ultra Hydrating Lotion, because even oily, breakout-prone skin needs moisture to avoid overproducing oil.
If you want to take your results to the next level, try our New Clarifying Mandelic Peel. It’s clinically proven to target key concerns of breakout-prone skin, including excess oil, clogged pores, breakouts and visible redness. Your complexion will appear calmer, clearer, smoother and more radiant.
Find your nearest Ultra Clinic here!
*1 in 5 aged 16+ experience acne at one point in their life.
