Hormonal acne is commonly associated with puberty and adolescence when fluctuations in hormones, particularly androgens, increase the skin's oil production. If this excess oil production happens to occur in oil-producing glands with narrowed openings, the oils cannot escape onto the skin surface. This causes the glands to distend - which we see as whiteheads and blackheads. This creates the perfect environment for the normal resident bacteria in the glands to multiply and produce the inflammation we recognise as acne. 

In severe acne, acne medications, antibiotics, and topical treatments may all be required to deliver clear skin and avoid acne scarring.

In contrast, adult acne is usually less severe and more often a result of a hormonal imbalance or a symptom of particular medical disorders. It can even occur a side-effect of certain medications. Adult acne is usually managed successfully without medications, focusing instead on topical treatments and skincare adjustments.