Adult acne develops after age 25 and, unlike teenage acne, often arises from a combination of internal bodily imbalances and lifestyle factors.

▪️ Hormonal Imbalance: Increased sebum production due to changes in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or androgen hormones.
▪️ Chronic Stress and Fatigue: Stimulation of the sebaceous glands from increased cortisol secretion.
▪️ Impaired Digestive Function and Diet: Accumulation of internal waste (damp-heat, heat toxins) from high-glycemic and processed food intake.
▪️ Sleep Deprivation and Weakened Immunity: Delayed skin cell turnover and a weakened skin barrier.
▪️ Improper Cosmetic Use: Irritation from comedogenic products that clog pores or from excessive cleansing.

In Korean medicine, adult acne is understood not simply as surface-level skin inflammation, but as an imbalance in internal organ function and disrupted heat circulation, treated with a combination of internal (內治) and external (外治) therapies.

Hamsoa Family Clinic Adult Acne Program