Teenage Acne [Definitive Guide]

For most teenagers, the stress of school and growing up is enough to handle. But roughly 8 in every 10 preteens and teens have acne. Changing hormones during puberty is often the leading cause.

As the body begins to develop, these hormones stimulate the oil-producing glands within the skin’s pores. When these glands produce more oil, the pores clog and form spots.

Thankfully, there are steps that you can take to get through it. If you have teenage acne, we can help with:

What is the best treatment to use for teenage acne? And does teenage acne go away?

This chapter covers

Take acne seriously
Follow your acne treatment
Don’t stress
Look after your mental health
Visit your GP

Take acne seriously

As acne is so common in teenagers, it can be easy to think it will just pass on its own. However, though hormonal acne is an almost guaranteed part of teenage life, there are a number of treatments available that can reduce symptoms. Over-the-counter products or a visit to your GP can prevent acne from worsening and help avoid acne scars.

Follow your acne treatment

It may seem obvious, but for hormonal acne treatment to work, you must keep using it. If other responsibilities are adding up or improvement isn’t instantaneous, it can be easy to forget this. Make sure to maintain regular use of your treatment to ensure maximum results.

Don’t stress

During your teenage years, everything can seem stressful. Exams, job hunting and planning for your future can all add pressure. However, stress can cause acne to flare up. Try to destress by effectively balancing your time between study and social occasions, and take regular time for yourself to relax.

Look after your mental health

You may have found that acne has caused a negative effect on your self-esteem or self-confidence. This isn’t unusual. Research has shown that acne can lead to depression, anxiety, or both. It is important you start the right course of treatment to help clear your acne and these worries. If you have any of the following symptoms, visit your GP to find a solution for your acne:

Sadness that lasts for two weeks or more
Loss of interest in activities that you once enjoyed
A tendency to avoid social activities, even with friends or people your age

Visit your GP

Having a one-to-one meeting with your GP can give you space to discuss your acne and find the right treatment. Rather than waiting for acne to clear on its own, your GP may be able to prescribe you an effective topical or oral medicine.