Pimples aren’t just a teenage angst. In fact, about 80 percent of people between the ages of 11 and 30 get acne, according to a video about blemishes on the Brit Lab YouTube channel. As the video explains, more adult women are prone to acne than men. But for teenagers, boys are more susceptible than females due to changing hormones.

Read: Acne Treatment: Why You Get Pimples And What You Can Do To Stop Them

Testosterone is a big acne culprit for both sexes, according to Brit Lab. According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, this hormone overstimulates oil glands to trigger acne. Not only that, but it can change the skin cells on hair follicles, making them sticky and prone to clogging.

Adult acne is on the rise and many attribute this to elevated hormone levels, which increase oil production. The reason for hormonal problems? According to the International Dermal Institute, chronic stress is a big factor.

As discussed in the Brit Lab video, everyone’s skin has acne bacteria, but there are good and bad strains. The good actually protect the skin while the others are what cause blemishes to form.

Clearing up acne can be frustrating and costly, but you’ll want to avoid popping those pimples as that can actually spread bacteria. Brit Lab suggests cleaning up your diet, although only by eliminating sugar, as it’s been linked to acne. You can still eat your greasy fries as there is no scientific evidence that fat is a contributor to breakouts. They also advise against at-home remedies like toothpaste, which can irritate skin, and the expensive manuka honey, which is not a proven treatment.

Read: 4 Shocking Home Acne Remedies That Work Fast

However, taking a daily Zinc supplement could help you battle blemishes, according to one study. Brit Lab suggests taking 30 mg a day for three months to replicate the study. Everyday tweaks like washing your hair regularly and using less makeup can also clear up skin.

See Also:

Causes Of Adult Acne In Women: Pimple Breakouts Linked To Poor Diet, High Stress Levels; Plus How To Treat It

What Type Of Acne Do You Have? Here’s How To Treat Pimples, From Moderate To Severe