Suddenly developed acne at age 24?

[Wildflowers123]

Okay so I've been on the pill since I was 14, I don't know whether this affects anything but I was on Microgynon for 2 years then switched to Marvelon for reasons unrelated to skin issues, and have been on Marvelon ever since. I'm now 24.

I've also never struggled with acne, even as a teenager. I definitely had spots but not acne, I feel like it has a very distinctive look.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I got a sudden burst of acne on my chin. It doesn't hurt and it's not super red, although I do cover it with makeup. The skin texture under the makeup is very acne-like though. I also developed a huge, what I thought was a, spot on the side of my forehead. However, my coworker thinks it's a wart (?!?!?) which has really shocked me and spurred me to take action.

I haven't changed anything in my diet recently, I eat the same things I've always eaten. I also haven't changed any of my skincare or makeup products, I barely even wear makeup. The same coworker thinks it's because I'm not drinking enough water but, to be honest, that's not new. I've never drank enough water. In fact, I reckon I drink more now than a couple of years ago.

So what gives? Why have I suddenly developed adult acne and a face wart???

Acne has nothing to do with water intake, any chance you changed toothpaste? It could be a reaction to that on your chin, SLS tends to be the culprit for this. As for whatever is on your forehead, just check with your GP if you think it's suspicious but tbh your coworker seems a bit of a sensationalist with some odd ideas about skin health so would take her 'diagnosis' with a big grain of salt.

It could just be age, most women struggle with hormonal acne in adulthood, not teenage years. Your BC should regulate it though, but that doesn't always work for everyone, if it isn't toothpaste and it persists it might be worth chatting with your GP about, a switch to Yasmin could be an option as that has a good reputation for dealing with hormonal acne.

Thank you for your response! I change toothpaste very regularly tbh and never really go for the same one, just whatever's cheapest. I'd be quite surprised if my face has suddenly decided it only likes colgate😂

I looked up warts after my coworker mentioned it as I've never gotten one before (except verrucas as a child) and it definitely looks like one so I reckon she's right about that, although I'll go to the pharmacist and check.

I had no idea acne was more common for adults, that's crazy! It doesn't run in my family so I don't have any real experience of it. Do you know if Yasmin is similar to Microgynon at all? I didn't get on with it at all and would prefer the acne over the issues it caused me lol

Is it on your chin or jawline?
Jawline acne is hormonal, and can be due to stress too.
Also worth changing your pillow case VERY often.

Yasmin is similar as it's a combination pill (so is Marvelon) but with a different makeup that a pharmacist will explain better than I ever can, iirc it has more estrogen. Yasmin does tend to be a more popular BC pill as it has less side effects eg. no weight gain, and the other effects tend to be positive like reduced period pains and reduction of acne. My gynaecologist tends to refer to it as the pretty BC pill.

Toothpaste 'acne' is a thing though, sometimes it's just perioral dermatitis, since it's just your chin it's worth exploring.

@7Worfs It's defo my chin, it's actually more towards the right corner of my mouth, moving downwards. It doesn't touch my jawline and barely actually makes it only my chin tbh.
@botemp Thank you for this, I'll have to look into it. Although, I don't actually get my pills from a doctor, I just order them from the superdrug website and pay bc it's impossible to even register at any of the ones round me at the moment, so I don't know whether it would be a good idea to start a new pill without consulting someone first you know?