We Thought We Were Done with Pimples in Our Teen Years, So Why Are They Coming Back Now?

There are women who for years enjoyed relatively clear facial skin, and suddenly, in their forties or fifties, pimples begin to appear.

Sometimes they concentrate on the chin and along the jawline, sometimes they are deep and painful, and sometimes they appear again and again in the same place.

It can be especially frustrating when we already invest in caring for our skin and don't understand why it reacts this way.

One possible reason is acne influenced by hormonal changes.

What is the connection between hormones and pimples?

In our skin there are sebaceous glands that produce sebum, the skin's natural oil.

The activity of these glands is influenced, among other things, by hormones, especially androgens.

When there is a change in hormonal activity or in the sensitivity of the sebaceous glands to them, oil production may change.

Combined with blockage of the hair follicles and inflammatory processes, pimples may appear.

Why does it happen specifically around menopause?

During perimenopause, the years before menstruation stops, hormone levels change, and sometimes the ratio between them changes too.

These changes can affect the skin in different ways.

In some women, increased dryness and sensitivity appear, and in others, acne instead.

It's important to know that not every acne in older age stems from a hormonal imbalance that can be identified in a blood test.

Are pimples on the chin always hormonal?

No.

Acne along the jawline and chin can fit a hormonal pattern, but the location alone is not enough to determine the cause.

Skincare products, medications, mental stress, and other factors may also have an effect.

How should we care for the skin?

The common mistake is to treat the skin of a fifty-year-old woman exactly like the skin of a sixteen-year-old girl.

But mature skin may be drier and more sensitive, and therefore aggressive use of acne products can cause irritation.

It's advisable to start with gentle cleansing, a moisturizer that does not clog pores, and protection from the sun.

Ingredients such as azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids can help in suitable cases, but they should be chosen according to the skin's condition.

In certain cases a dermatologist may also recommend hormonal treatment or other medications.

When should we get checked?

If the acne appears suddenly and significantly, especially alongside new excess hair growth, unusual hair loss, or additional hormonal changes, it's advisable to see a doctor.

Deep pimples that leave scars also justify early treatment.

My daily recommendation

I think one of the most important things we can do is understand that our skin changes together with us.

A skincare routine that suited us at thirty won't necessarily suit us at fifty.

And sometimes, when pimples appear at an older age, the solution is not to dry the skin even more, but to adapt the treatment to its new condition.

Our body undergoes changes over the course of life, and the skin is part of this process.

The more we learn to know it, the more we can care for it in a correct and gentler way.

Nurit Rozenblat

With love,
Nurit Rozenblat
OrOrgani

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