5 Over-40 Celebs Who Struggle With Acne (Stars, They're Just Like Us!)

There is a common myth that people are only plagued by acne during their teenage years, and if they didn't get any breakouts before their 18th birthday, they are automatically immune. However, the truth is that acne can occur at any age and is caused by several factors. It can arise due to genetics, hormones, and lifestyle choices, and it is fairly common for women to develop adult acne, which can feel like a bit of an atrocity at times. In an interview with Marie Claire, dermatologist Dr. Andrea Tomizawa explained that the skin condition is more common among women due to fluctuating hormones. "Some people continue to experience acne after the age of 30 years as hormonal changes relating to pregnancy or the menstrual cycle can trigger acne," she said. Tomizawa added that acne can also arise due to sugar intake.

Celebrities are not exempt from skin problems, and several high-profile icons have also had experiences with adult acne. By being transparent about it, they have helped reduce the stigma surrounding acne, which can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, and in some cases, self-harm. Their honest accounts have also helped curb unrealistic beauty standards, which has been particularly important during a decade characterized by the "clean girl" aesthetic and "glazed donut" skin trends. Having entered their 40s, these famous faces offer a refreshing reminder that skin has imperfections, texture, and occasional breakouts.

Kim Kardashian is a world-renowned multi-talent who earned her billionaire status through her multiple business endeavors, including shapewear brand Skims and beauty empire SKKN by Kim. Kardashian has built her career on her transparency and is widely recognized for sharing her private life on the reality series "The Kardashians."

Over the years, she has publicly documented major aspects of her life, including her turbulent relationships, obsession with fame, Hollywood's beauty pressures, and her experience living with skin conditions. While Kardashian's openness about her psoriasis journey has become a big part of her public narrative, she has also dealt with adult acne.

In 2023, the entrepreneur and reality star spoke to Bustle about her experience with spontaneous breakouts. "My skin texture was always an issue for me," Kardashian said, noting that she had exfoliated for several years but she still couldn't avoid adult acne. "I never thought I'd be getting acne in my 40s. It was definitely really interesting to experience," she said. "I think makeup is really good at covering it, but there are times when you just don't want to wear it, and it makes you feel really insecure," she added, hinting that SKKN by Kim was in the process of developing acne-focused products. "It's really tough when your skin goes through a lot of changes that you weren't really expecting to go through."

Jennifer Aniston has garnered widespread attention since she rose to fame in the 1990s for her role as Rachel Green in the sitcom "Friends." Throughout her career, she has been straightforward about her private life. She has bared all about being unable to conceive on IVF and has opened up about dealing with acne as an adult. During her years in the spotlight, Aniston's honesty has allowed her to build a loyal fanbase and a reputation for relatability.

In a 2015 interview with Elle, Aniston revealed that her trusty pimple remedy is a rather affordable drying lotion that she has been using for years. "First I roll my eyes and get annoyed, and usually I will put some sort of a drying lotion on," the actor explained. "I don't pick it though, although I used to," she added. Aniston said that she has used the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion for decades.

"I had a facial there in like 1995 and I've been using it ever since," she said. In a 2023 interview with Allure, the actor also revealed she does facial icing to protect her pores. "Well, it wakes you up, gives you energy, a little burst of energy," she said. "I think it's good for your pores, tightens everything up," she continued, adding that she splashes her face 25 times with ice-cold water.

Amanda Seyfried recently entered her 40s. With age comes wisdom, and in Seyfried's case, greater transparency — as she got real about adult acne during a Met Gala red carpet interview in 2026. During a chat with Vogue, while speaking with supermodels Cara Delevingne and Ashley Graham, the actor revealed she was taking anti-acne medication. "I'm on medicine right now for acne on my chin," she said, despite having just been complimented on her glowing complexion. Delevingne readily admitted that she was currently taking medication to treat adult acne. "Babe, I'm on that too," Delevingne said.

The interview reinforced the importance of transparency around skin conditions, particularly for those with a major influence within Hollywood, and illustrated how candid discussions can help inspire others to share their own experiences and normalize textured skin. Seyfried also mentioned that she had prepared for the 2026 Met Gala by spending time with her pet donkeys. However, the actor revealed that she had spent the morning getting her skin pampered in the years prior. "I used to get facials, which are also really great," she said.

This wasn't the first time that Seyfried has been open about her skin issues, and in 2025, she appeared in an episode of Vogue's Beauty Secret series. The actor spoke about her experience with eczema and perioral dermatitis, and revealed that she was also using a medicated cream.

Gabrielle Union had her breakthrough back in 2002 when she starred as a cheerleader in "Bring it On." While her acting career dates back to the '90s, having made appearances in classic teen films like "10 Things I Hate About You" and "She's All That," Union is a passionate activist and advocate for sexual assault survivors. As a celebrity who uses her platform to inspire real change, it should be no surprise that Union has also been transparent about her acne journey as an adult.

In 2025, Union appeared in an episode of Vogue's Beauty Secret series that unveiled her skincare routine. As she walked viewers through her everyday beauty routine, the actor reflected on how her complexion had changed over time and revealed that she had never experienced significant skin issues until her hormones changed and she developed acne as an adult. "I was very lucky, because I never really had crazy problem skin — not until my hormones changed," Union said. "How do you get acne as a fully grown-ass woman? But I found a way," she quipped. The actor explained that she started to experiment with different products until she found what worked best for her skin.

Reese Witherspoon has been working as an actor in Hollywood since she was a teenager. She made her debut in the critically acclaimed coming-of-age drama "The Man in the Moon" in 1991 and went on to star as Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde" in 2001. Having worked in the industry for quite some time, Witherspoon blamed her textured skin on her many years spent wearing character makeup. In 2019, the actor spoke to Allure about how her career had resulted in occasional adult acne breakouts. "I wear a lot of makeup for work, so I have a tendency to break out around my chin and nose if I don't get it all off," she revealed.

Witherspoon went on to explain that she washes her face at night and has even taken to using Elizabeth Arden's retinol capsules before bed. The actor said that her adapted routine has worked well. "I look more awake in the morning. They also even out the redness in my skin so I don't have to wear as much foundation," she added.

Despite dealing with acne as an adult, Witherspoon has made headlines for maintaining a youthful glow. In 2019, she told Glamour that she also moisturizes her face at night. "As you get older and start seeing wrinkles and fine lines, it's so important to moisturize and use great products that really hydrate and take care of your skin," Witherspoon said. "I clean my skin every night," she added.