Teen Acne Era, Part 1: When Acne Starts + What’s Really Going On Under the Skin

maria ramos
May 20
3 min read

Struggling with teenage acne? You're not alone—and you're not doing anything wrong. As a licensed esthetician, I’ve helped hundreds of teens and parents navigate this confusing stage of skin changes. Acne can feel overwhelming, especially when it shows up out of nowhere and nothing seems to work.

So, let’s break it all down:

✅ When acne starts

✅ What causes teen acne

✅ What’s really happening under the skin

✅ When to get professional help

When Does Teen Acne Start?

Most teenagers begin noticing acne between the ages of 10 and 13, typically during puberty. This is when the body produces more androgens—hormones that tell your oil glands to kick into high gear.

Increased oil (sebum) production can mix with dead skin cells and bacteria, clogging pores and creating the perfect storm for breakouts.

What Causes Teen Acne?

Let’s get into the science of why teen skin breaks out.

1. Hormonal Changes

Puberty = hormone surge. More androgens = more oil production. When the skin produces excess oil, it clogs the pores—leading to acne.

2. Clogged Pores

Your skin naturally sheds dead cells. But if they don’t shed properly, they mix with oil and block the follicles (aka pores), causing bumps under the skin.

3. Bacteria (C. acnes)

This bacteria lives on everyone’s skin, but when it gets trapped inside a clogged pore, it starts multiplying fast. This leads to inflammation, swelling, and pus.

4. Inflammation

Once your immune system detects bacteria in the pore, it sends white blood cells to fight back—causing redness, tenderness, and swelling.

Types of Teen Acne

Teen acne shows up in different ways. Here’s what to look for:

Blackheads – open pores clogged with oil and exposed to air
Whiteheads – closed clogged pores under the skin
Papules + Pustules – red, inflamed pimples with or without pus
Cystic Acne – painful, deep bumps that can leave scars

Common breakout areas:

🔹 Forehead

🔹 Nose

🔹 Chin

🔹 Cheeks

🔹 Chest

🔹 Back

Basically, anywhere there are oil glands!

Busting Teen Acne Myths

Let’s clear up a few things:

🚫 Myth: Acne means your skin is dirty.

✅ Truth: Over-washing can strip the skin and make acne worse. Clean skin ≠ clear skin.

🚫 Myth: Chocolate causes acne.

✅ Truth: There’s no direct link. Diet can impact skin for some people (especially dairy), but one treat isn’t the enemy.

🚫 Myth: It’ll go away on its own

.✅ Truth: Sometimes it might—but untreated acne can leave behind scars, dark spots, and emotional stress.

When Should Teens See an Esthetician?

If your teen has consistent breakouts, especially cystic or inflamed acne, it’s time to book a professional skincare consultation.

At The Beauty Plug, I specialize in gentle, teen-safe facials that calm the skin and build confidence. We also create custom home-care routines so your teen feels empowered—not overwhelmed.

💡 Pro Tip: The earlier you start acne treatment, the easier it is to prevent scars and manage flare-ups.

What’s Next?

This is just Part 1 of our Teen Acne Era series. In the next post, I’ll cover:

✨ How I treat teen acne in the treatment room✨

What skincare products teens should be using at home

✨ How to build a balanced routine that actually works

💌 Want Help with Teen Acne?

📍 I’m based in Valley Village and specialize in acne-safe treatments for teens and tweens.🔗 https://www.thebeautyplugbymaria.com/

Book a consultation or DM me @thebeautyplugbymaria to get started.

✅ Share this with a fellow parent or teen who’s struggling with breakouts.L

et’s take the stress out of skincare—together.