Oily skin might not cause fewer wrinkles—but the treatments for acne just might.
Courtesy of Raushan_films at Adobe Stock
While TikTok users bolster the notion that oily and acne-prone skin could lead to less wrinkles in the future because the skin is taking longer to transition out of prepubescent traits, doctors suggest that it's typically the products and treatments used against acne, applied for years, that are preventing wrinkles—not entirely oil production, though it does present protective benefits. Like most skin conditions and approaches to wellness, the surface tells only half the story.
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While TikTok users bolster the notion that oily and acne-prone skin could lead to less wrinkles in the future because the skin is taking longer to transition out of prepubescent traits, doctors suggest that it's typically the products and treatments used against acne, applied for years, that are preventing wrinkles—not entirely oil production, though it does present protective benefits. Like most skin conditions and approaches to wellness, the surface tells only half the story.
Experts Explain the Link Between Oily, Acne-Prone Skin and Slower Aging
Circulating on the TikTok app are users claiming that acne in their 20s may be less favorable now, but in a few years, they’ll age gracefully and slower. Richard Bottiglione, MD explains that oily skin appears better because the skin is more moisturized than dry skin, but acne won't reduce wrinkles. “The oil itself doesn't protect from getting wrinkles, but people with oily skin can sometimes have a dark skin tone which may help reduce how many wrinkles. Lighter skin tones or those with dry skin may have more wrinkles, but it's not if you have oily skin or not.”
Acne-prone skin produces more sebum, says Erika Schwartz, MD, the founder of Evolved Science, a preventative medicine and medical aesthetics practice. Here, she specializes in using bio-identical hormones to prevent illness and link them to body and mind wellness. She says by producing more sebum, it acts as a natural moisturizer and protective barrier to the environmental pollutants attacking our skin—pollutants that contribute to wrinkles, and that is why oily skin may help protect against wrinkles and add moisture, as Bottiglione mentioned. This keeps skin hydrated from within, and hydrated skin ages better, but isn't a definitive correlation, as many factors affect acne and skin health.
Why Those Treating Acne Early Might Be Winning the Long Game on Aging
While there are many factors that play a role in the rapidity of wrinkle formation, Schwartz and Bottiglione say acne can correlate to less wrinkles because individuals with acne typically partake in using products like retinols such as tretinoin, glycolic acid and trichloroacetic acid, as well as undergoing acne treatments like lasers or microneedling at a young age. “If you’ve been using retinoids since your twenties for acne, you’ve been doing anti-aging therapy for decades without even knowing it,” Schwartz says.
Oily skin naturally retains more moisture and provides a mild barrier against environmental pollutants.Courtesy of sorrapongs at Adobe StockShe continues, “Retinoids are the gold standard for preventing wrinkles. So yes, people with acne get a two-for-one benefit: naturally oilier skin plus early adoption of the best anti-aging ingredient available.” Retinols have been shown to reduce wrinkles since about 2007 [1].
While being blessed with certain genes work in many people’s favor, Bottiglione explains that it really depends on how the person takes care of their skin over time, through skincare and diet, and not necessarily solely if they have acne and oily skin. Schwartz argues that hormones play a key role in why acne shows up in the first place, especially if it shows up for the first time, or worsens, in adulthood. The skin, she adds, is a reflection of biological mechanisms, such as hormone fluctuations and liver detoxification that respond to toxins and affect the appearance of the skin.
When Inflammation and Hormones Override the Benefits of Oily Skin
Chronic inflammation from poor liver detoxification, including environmental pollutants, as Schwartz mentioned earlier and poor diet and dehydration contribute to acne formation. Additionally, hormone loss in adulthood, along with untreated acne, breaks down collagen over time and leads to scarring and textural damage.
“Adult acne patients who optimize their hormones, particularly women addressing estrogen, progesterone and testosterone imbalances, see dramatic improvements not just in acne but in overall skin quality, texture and appearance. When we balance hormones properly, we’re not just treating acne, we’re optimizing the entire person,” Schwartz says.
Signs of hormonal acne tend to be more localized along the jawline, chin and lower face. As mentioned earlier, topical prescription-strength creams with retinoids, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or antibiotics help hormonal acne too, but also oral medications, like spironolactone and cortisone injections—used to reduce inflammation and pain in nodules and cysts [2].
Dermatologists explain that it’s not the oil itself that prevents wrinkles—it’s the long-term use of acne treatments and better skin hydration that make the difference.Courtesy of Katarina at Adobe StockEarly Intervention, Sun Protection, and Hormonal Health in Acne Management
“This is exactly why I advocate so strongly for a 360 degree approach to acne care as early as possible,” Schwartz says. “We need to control inflammation and prevent scarring so patients get the natural benefits of oilier, thicker skin without the long-term damage from chronic inflammation.”
Bottiglione says for teens and young adults, who might be looking to prevent wrinkles while mitigating acne should use SPF beside their retinol and acne treatments. SPF, even for patients between 30 and 50 years old, is important to fight aging. “Wrinkle formation happens when you don't protect your skin, so an SPF is most important if you have acne or not. If you find you have acne and wrinkles these ingredients can help treat both skin concerns. Continued use of these ingredients can help in the long term wrinkle reduction,” he adds.
Ultimately, teenage acne, driven by puberty’s hormonal surges, tends to be more inflammatory and widespread, but if treated properly, most teens outgrow it and benefit from oilier skin and potentially decades of retinoid use, Schwartz says. Adults who experience acne for the first time, however, tend to have hormonal acne and would need to address the root cause, the hormonal imbalance, not just treat surface symptoms.
“Very often, patients who struggled with oily, acne-prone skin in their younger years are those with fewer wrinkles and youthful skin in their 50s and 60s,” Schwartz says. “Young and older need to address the liver detoxification system, environmental factors, diet, hydration, sleep, stress and understand that acne represents complex processes occurring in many organs but seen in the skin and thus need to get to the root cause and treat it along with the skin.”
Oily skin naturally retains more moisture and provides a mild barrier against environmental pollutants.Courtesy of sorrapongs at Adobe Stock
Dermatologists explain that it’s not the oil itself that prevents wrinkles—it’s the long-term use of acne treatments and better skin hydration that make the difference.Courtesy of Katarina at Adobe Stock
Dermatologists explain that it’s not the oil itself that prevents wrinkles—it’s the long-term use of acne treatments and better skin hydration that make the difference.Courtesy of Katarina at Adobe Stock
