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What’s the Difference Between Teen Acne and Hormonal Acne in Adults?
Published 22nd May 2026
min read
Expert Reviewed By
Teen acne during puberty is driven by the surge of hormones during teenage years, typically appearing on the forehead, nose and upper cheeks. Hormonal acne in adults is triggered by ongoing hormonal fluctuations, linked to the menstrual cycle, stress, or menopause. Hormonal acne in adults tends to appear as deep, painful cysts along the jawline and chin.
Thames Skin Clinic is a doctor-led acne clinic in Twickenham treating teenagers and adults from South West London.
What’s the Difference Between Teen Acne and Adult Hormonal Acne?
Teenage acne affects most young people at some point during puberty, usually between the ages of 12 and 18. Acne is common in teenagers because of the hormonal shifts of adolescence, particularly a rise in androgens and testosterone, which cause the skin’s oil glands to go into overdrive.
Hormonal acne in adults can affect women and men well into their 30s, 40s and beyond. According to the, Barbie Botox (Traptox) adult acne is increasingly common, with women more commonly than men.
At, Dr Anna Hemming treats teenagers experiencing their first breakouts as well as adults dealing with persistent hormonal acne.
For many people, yes. Teenage acne does improve significantly once hormone levels stabilise, typically in the late teens to early 20s. However:
The most important thing to understand is that persistent teen or adult acne is not a hygiene problem or something to simply wait out. Acne has identifiable causes, and it responds to the right treatment. If your acne is cyclical or leaving marks on your skin, a assessment is the right next step.
Explore or with Dr Hemming at our Twickenham clinic.
What Causes Teenage Puberty Acne
Teen acne during puberty is caused by a surge that directly overactivates the skin’s oil glands. Three things happen in sequence:
What Does Hormonal Adult Acne Look Like?
Does Hormonal Adult Acne Follow a Pattern?
Yes, and that pattern is one of the clearest signs that hormones are the driver of acne, especially for women who acne breakouts in the days before their cycle.
If you notice a predictable monthly pattern, particularly deep spots on the chin and jawline in the week before your period, it’s an indicator that hormones are the primary driver of your acne.
What Causes Hormonal Adult Acne
the same androgens driving excess oil, but the triggers are ongoing and more varied than during puberty.
All acne has a hormonal component, since hormones regulate sebum production. The term “hormonal acne” specifically describes breakouts that occur in response to hormonal fluctuations. Those fluctuations can come from multiple sources:
Many adults travel to our hormonal acne clinic in South West London for expert and treatment. with us and we can create a treatment pathway for you.
Acne Treatments at Thames Skin Clinic
is a doctor-led skin clinic specialising in in Twickenham, Kingston. Wimbledon and South West London. We treat patients for acne, rosacea, pigmentation and acne using medically led, bespoke treatment plans.
is the founder and medical lead at Thames Skin Clinic. As a former GP who served Buckingham Palace for seven years, she brings over two decades of medical experience to aesthetic and regenerative skin care.
Acne is one of her core specialisms. She has been recognised nationally for her expertise:
Dr Hemming and her team take a holistic, medically led approach to acne by assessing hormonal history, lifestyle, skin type and severity before recommending a treatment pathway.
To book a consultation with Dr Anna Hemming, today or .
To learn more about acne in both teens and adults, read our comprehensive guide to .
Can Acne in Adults Be Treated Without Roaccutane?
Yes. Hormonal acne in adults can be significantly improved without Roaccutane. Treatment depends on the severity of the acne, the level of inflammation and the underlying hormonal triggers.
At Thames Skin Clinic, treatment plans are tailored to the individual and may include grade skincare and AviClear laser treatment. AviClear targets the sebaceous glands to reduce excess oil production that to hormonal breakouts.
For persistent or painful acne, a professional assessment is to prevent scarring and ongoing inflammation.
When Should I See a Doctor About Acne?
You should see a doctor about acne if your breakouts are painful, persistent or leaving marks or scars on the skin. Acne that does not with over the counter products often needs professional treatment.
For teenagers, early treatment can help reduce the risk of long term scarring and support confidence during puberty. For adults, cyclical breakouts around the chin and point to hormonal acne, which needs professional treatment.
At Thames Skin Clinic in Twickenham, Dr Anna Hemming assesses the underlying causes of acne before creating a personalised treatment plan. Many patients travel to our South West London acne clinic for expert treatment of teen acne and acne in adults.
Monday – 09:30-16:30
Tuesday – 09:00-17:30
Wednesday – 09:00-19:30
Thursday – 09:30-17.30
Friday – 09:00-17:30
– 09:00-16:30 by appointment
Thames Skin Clinic
Baylis Mews,
Twickenham TW1 3HQ
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