Health✓ Follow-up at 8 weeks2,010 views
I'm in my 30s and I still have acne
An adult acne treatment plan covering dermatologist consultation, skincare simplification, lifestyle factors, and realistic expectations for clearing skin.
📊
Follow-Up Result
8 weeks laterSkin cleared up 80% after seeing a dermatologist and simplifying skincare routine
The Problem
I'm 33 and I still break out like a teenager. I've spent hundreds on skincare products, tried every TikTok recommendation, and my skin is worse than ever. I have painful cystic acne on my jawline and chin that leaves scars. I'm embarrassed in meetings, I avoid photos, and I've tried so many things that I don't know what's helping and what's making it worse.
The Plan
Week 1-2: See a Professional
Stop experimenting and see a dermatologist — adult acne often has hormonal or medical causes that skincare products can't fix
Ask about prescription options: tretinoin, spironolactone (for hormonal acne), or antibiotics for severe cases
Simplify your routine to basics while waiting for your appointment: gentle cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen. That's it
Stop adding new products — your skin barrier is probably damaged from trying too many things
Jawline and chin acne in women is almost always hormonal — a dermatologist can test and treat this specifically
Week 3-4: Support Your Skin
Be patient — prescription treatments take 6-12 weeks to show results. It often gets worse before it gets better (purging)
Change your pillowcase every 2-3 days — bacteria buildup contributes to breakouts
Don't pick or pop — it causes scarring and spreads bacteria. Hydrocolloid patches are a better option
Reduce dairy and high-glycemic foods — research shows these can worsen acne in some people
Manage stress — cortisol triggers oil production and breakouts. Exercise, sleep, and stress management help your skin
Resources
Your dermatologist — the single most important step
CeraVe or Cetaphil — gentle, dermatologist-recommended basic skincare
r/SkincareAddiction — evidence-based skincare community
"The Skincare Bible" by Dr. Anjali Mahto — dermatologist-written guide to skin health
Follow-Up Result
8 weeks in: the dermatologist confirmed hormonal acne and prescribed spironolactone and tretinoin. Weeks 2-4 were rough (purging phase) but by week 6, my skin started clearing dramatically. I simplified my routine to cleanser, tretinoin at night, moisturizer, and sunscreen — that's it. No more 10-step routines or TikTok products. My skin is about 80% clear now and the cystic breakouts have stopped completely. The scarring is fading with the tretinoin. I wish I'd seen a dermatologist years ago instead of spending hundreds on products that were making things worse. Sometimes you need medicine, not skincare.Know someone with this problem?
Share this solution. They get $5 off their first plan.