Teenage Hormones - What's Happening
For young adults, puberty brings changes. One of the most noticeable (and often stressful) is how your skin, scalp and body odour suddenly seem to have a mind of their own.
These changes are triggered by hormones which are powerful chemical messengers in your body and they are behaving exactly how they’re supposed to.
So what’s going on, why is it happening and what can you do about it.
Hormones - What’s Going On?
Puberty is controlled by a hormonal surge, mainly driven by:
- Androgens (like testosterone) and Oestrogen – both are present in ALL teenagers but we have them in different ratios and levels depending on our sex.
These hormones influence hair growth, skin changes, activity in sweat and oil glands.
How will it affect me?
Sebum Production
Androgens stimulate sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, especially in areas like:
- The face (forehead, nose, chin)
- The chest and back
- The scalp
This excess oil can make skin and hair feel greasy and can lead to blocked pores across the body.
It’s important to remember that sebum isn't "bad", it helps protect and moisturise your skin.
Breakouts (Acne)
Acne can appear anywhere on the body that has high density of sebaceous glands
- On the chest
- Across the shoulders
- On the upper back
- Occasionally on the buttocks
Body Odour
The content of your sweat coming from your apocrine glands (armpits, groin) changes and when skin bacteria break it down, you get body odour.
Did you Know?
Everyone has a unique body odour based on their skin microbiome, diet and genetics.
Smelly Feet
Your feet sweat during the day and may smell due to:
- Warm socks and shoes
- Increased sweating from physical activity
- Bacteria + moisture
Scalp Changes and Oily Hair
Your scalp has one of the highest concentrations of sebaceous glands on your body. Therefore, in adolescence you may well notice
- Greasier hair
- The need to wash your hair more frequently
- A higher risk of scalp acne or seborrheic dermatitis (a flaky, itchy scalp)
So what can you do?
At the end of every day, wash your face and body using a gentle cleanser to remove excess oil and sweat. If you're prone to breakouts on your back or chest, then it's a good idea to wash after sport.
Use a deodorant / antiperspirant daily to help manage body odour and wear breathable footwear to minimise sweaty feet, changing your socks every day.
Wash your hair regularly.
Remember that all your friends and peers are going through the same thing and teen skin doesn’t need “fixing” it needs understanding and support. With the right knowledge (and the right products), you can make a difference.
