Puberty passed, your skin calmed down, and those teen breakouts became a thing of the past. You thought you’re done with acne. And suddenly, in your late 20s or 30s, your skin is flaring up again. Jawline bumps, forehead pimples, random zits on your back. You are not alone; while you may meet people who have it all under control but there are many who go through these random flare-ups in 30s. If your skin’s been acting up lately, there’s a good chance it’s not just bad luck, it’s your lifestyle talking back. “Acne in men in their 30s is often a reflection of internal and external imbalances. While teenage acne is largely driven by puberty-related hormone surges, adult male acne is more complex,” says Dr. Siddhant Mahajan, Dermatologist at Kaya Limited. 

Stress Management 

You’re juggling work, deadlines, gym goals, relationships, bills but your body’s way of dealing with it releasing stress hormones like cortisol and testosterone. Unfortunately, those hormones accelerate oil production and clogged pores leading to acne. While it’s difficult to manage stress or get rid of it completely, at least you know what’s happening in your body and why. "Fluctuating testosterone levels, combined with increased stress, poor sleep, and a high-glycemic diet, can overstimulate sebaceous glands, leading to excess oil production and clogged pores," says Dr Mahajan.

Lack of Proper Skincare Routine

We get it, 30s are crucial when there are plenty of things on your plate to care for and skincare routine might not on your priority list. Therefore, using a harsh soap bar meant for your body becomes your face staple too. Not washing your face post-gym, not using moisturiser and sunscreen regularly and over exfoliating the face can also contribute to the issue. "Factors like sweat, pollution, and frequent shaving can cause irritation and inflammation, worsening breakouts. Many men overlook skincare at this stage, relying on harsh cleansers or skipping moisturisation, which can disrupt the skin barrier and exacerbate acne," explains Dr Mahajan. Additionally, dirty pillow cover, phone screens and beard grooming using heavy oils can clog pores.

Easy Ways To Deal with Adult Acne

Here’s the good news: you don’t need a 10-step routine or fancy creams that cost half your rent. A few simple tweaks can make a huge difference. 

Keep it clean

Use a face wash with salicylic acid or tea tree oil once or twice a day. Don’t scrub your face harshly or using harsh scrubs. Be kind to your skin, it’s already irritated. 

Moisturise regularly 

A lightweight, oil-free moisturiser helps balance your skin and keeps it from going into overdrive producing oil. Acne or oil over production doesn't mean you can skip moisturisation.

Spot treat helps

Get a small tube with benzoyl peroxide or niacinamide. Dab it on the problem areas — no need to slather it like shaving cream. 

Rethink your gym habits

Sweat coupled with bacteria is a recipe for pesky breakouts. Keep face wipes in your gym bag. Wash your face post-workout and not two hours later when you remember. Take a shower as soon as you reach home and get rid of dirty, sweaty clothes. Body washes with salicylic acid also helps.

Clean linens

You must change the bedsheet and pillow covers at least once a week. You wouldn’t wear the same T-shirt for 7 days, would you? 

Call your dermatologist

If the issue persists affecting your social life ad confidence, it's time to take appointment with your doctor. Prescription-based medication works well that self diagnosis and treatment.