Acne & Congestion
Adult acne isn't just a teenage problem. If you're still dealing with breakouts, blackheads, or oily skin — you're not doing anything wrong. And there's a lot we can do to help.
What's actually happening
Acne is a chronic inflammatory condition. That sounds clinical, but what it means in practice is that your skin is stuck in a cycle — excess oil, blocked pores, bacteria, inflammation — and each element feeds the others.
What makes adult acne particularly frustrating is that it doesn't follow the same rules as teenage skin. Hormonal fluctuations, stress, diet, medications, and even the products you're using can all play a part.
The acne cycle
Your skin produces oil (sebum) to protect itself. When too much oil combines with dead skin cells, pores get blocked. Bacteria that normally live on your skin find a perfect environment in these blocked pores and multiply. Your body responds with inflammation — redness, swelling, and eventually, the spots you see on the surface.
Breaking this cycle requires addressing multiple factors, not just one.
Why it persists into adulthood
Adult acne often has different drivers than teenage acne:
- Hormonal changes — menstrual cycles, pregnancy, perimenopause, or conditions like PCOS
- Stress — cortisol affects oil production and skin barrier function
- Diet — for some people, dairy, sugar, or high-glycemic foods are triggers
- Products — ironically, harsh acne products can make things worse
- Medications — some prescriptions affect skin as a side effect
- Environment — Sydney's humidity can exacerbate congestion
The types you might see
Comedonal acne — blackheads and whiteheads, blocked pores without much inflammation
Inflammatory acne — red, swollen spots that can be painful
Cystic acne — deep, painful lumps under the skin
Hormonal acne — typically along the jawline and chin, often cyclical
Each type responds best to different approaches. That's why a proper assessment matters before we start treating.
How Eden approaches acne
We don't believe in aggressive approaches that strip and irritate your skin. When skin is already inflamed and stressed, the last thing it needs is more trauma. Our approach focuses on calming the inflammation, regulating oil, and strengthening your skin's natural defences.
Start with understanding
We begin with a thorough consultation — not just looking at your skin, but understanding your life. What's changed? What have you tried? What does your routine look like?
Address the root causes
Rather than just treating what's on the surface, we look at why your skin is behaving this way. Barrier health, inflammation levels, and lifestyle factors all inform our approach.
Build a sustainable plan
Quick fixes don't work for acne. We create a treatment plan you can actually maintain, with realistic timelines and achievable home care.
Treatments we use
Customised Facials
Tailored treatments that address your specific type of acne without irritating or stripping your skin.
Learn moreClinical Peels
Carefully selected peels that help regulate oil, reduce congestion, and calm inflammation. Not all peels are right for acne — we choose what's appropriate for your skin.
Learn moreIPL Acne Treatment
Light-based therapy that targets acne-causing bacteria, reduces inflammation, and helps regulate oil production.
Learn moreHealite II LED
Anti-inflammatory light therapy that calms active breakouts and accelerates healing — often used alongside other treatments.
Learn moreECIT Skin Needling
For post-acne texture and scarring. Not for active breakouts, but excellent for improving skin quality once acne is under control.
Learn moreWhat to expect
Acne didn't develop overnight, and it won't resolve overnight either. Here's a realistic picture:
First month: We focus on calming inflammation and getting the right home care in place. You might experience some purging as blocked pores clear.
Months 2-3: Active breakouts should start reducing. We're building your skin's health and resilience.
Months 3-6: Continued improvement in clarity and texture. We may introduce more intensive treatments as your skin strengthens.
Ongoing: Maintenance to prevent recurrence. For many people, this means periodic treatments and consistent home care — not forever in the clinic, but a sustainable routine.
The home care factor
What you do at home matters as much as what happens in the clinic. We'll recommend a realistic routine — usually three to four products, not twelve — that supports your treatment and fits your life.
We won't ask you to do things that aren't sustainable. And we'll explain why each product is there, so you understand your skin better.
Is this you?
You might be dealing with acne and congestion if...
- You're still breaking out well past your teenage years and nothing seems to shift it
- Your skin is oily but also feels dehydrated or tight in places
- You have persistent blackheads, especially on your nose, chin, or forehead
- Breakouts appear in the same places — often along your jawline or chin
- You've tried every product at the chemist and some things help temporarily, but nothing lasts
- Your skin reacts to products that claim to help acne
- Stress or your menstrual cycle seems to trigger breakouts
I've tried so many things and nothing sticks. I don't know what actually works versus what's just marketing.
I'm embarrassed to still be dealing with acne at my age. I don't have time for a complicated routine, but I want it fixed.
Related concerns
Ready to sort out your skin?
Every acne journey is different. The first step is a proper conversation about your skin, your history, and your goals. Our consultations are free, thorough, and completely no-pressure.
Prefer to chat first? Call us on 02 9550 1777