Hormonal Acne Got You Down? Here’s What You Can Do About It

Most of us have been there: a painful, deep-seated cyst or obvious lesions that always seem to appear right before a special event. If you’re struggling with stubborn breakouts that don’t respond to typical skincare routines, hormones are often the culprit.

Fortunately, there are ways to understand hormonal acne and its triggers, so you can take steps to reclaim clear, healthy, pain-free skin.

What is Hormonal Acne and What Causes It?

It’s pretty much what it sounds like: acne that is driven by fluctuations in your hormones, especially androgens like testosterone. These hormones ramp up sebum production, clog pores, and trigger inflammation, creating the perfect storm for breakouts. Hormonal acne isn’t just for teens — it can affect adults of any age, especially women during menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause, or menopause, when hormones fluctuate frequently.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is another trigger for hormonal acne. This disorder causes excess androgen hormones to accumulate, which stimulate oil glands to secrete more sebum. The oil mixes with dead skin cells and encourages the growth of inflammation-causing bacteria. This means PCOS breakouts often occur in the same area and take a long time to fully resolve.

What’s the Difference Between Hormonal Acne and Regular Acne?

While all acne can share similar features and causes, there are key differences. Regular acne can be caused by bacteria or environmental factors and can manifest anywhere on the body. Hormonal acne can result from an imbalance in hormones, especially testosterone and DHT, estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol, and affects oily areas like the face, chest, and back. Hormonal breakouts are usually deep, painful lesions that take a long time to heal and can leave behind hyperpigmentation and scarring.

A good indication that hormones are at play with a breakout is timing. For example, 65% of adult women experience flare-ups that correlate with their menstrual cycle. It also may not respond well to over-the-counter treatments. Other symptoms, like excess facial hair, sudden weight changes, or irregular periods, may also point to a hormonal imbalance.

How to Treat Hormonal Acne

Frustrating as it may be, there are ways to tame hormonal acne. Some natural methods include:

1. Targeted supplements: Zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin C all help support skin health and contribute to balanced hormones. Also, try adaptogenic herbs like chasteberry, spearmint, or rhodiola.
2. Get tested: To determine if hormones are the root cause and how to best approach management, in-depth hormone testing such as the DUTCH (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) is especially valuable. This test measures estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and other androgens, cortisol, and hormone patterns to give a big picture of what’s going on in the body.
3. Rethink skincare: To keep from triggering more oil production, avoid harsh scrubs or alcohol-based products that strip the skin. Opt for gentle cleansers and non-comedogenic moisturizers (yes, even acne-prone skin needs hydration). Look for natural products with ingredients that include tea tree oil, green tea, berberine, and soothing aloe vera or cucumber extract.
4. Take a look at your diet: Avoid dairy, processed foods, or foods high in sugar, since they cause insulin spikes that can drive inflammation, increase oil production in the skin, and trigger hormonal changes. Instead, focus on a wide variety of whole foods. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and kale help your body process hormones efficiently.
5. Consider hormone therapy: Go beyond surface solutions and treat hormone imbalances with personalized hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This uses plant-based, bioidentical hormones that your body can recognize and use to regulate levels.

When to See a Professional

If hormonal acne is severe, leaving your skin scarred, or is very painful, remember that it’s not something that you just have to learn to live with. Highly effective treatment options and bioidentical hormone therapy can reduce breakouts dramatically and restore a healthy, glowing complexion.

Happy Hormone Cottage sees patients all the time who suffer from hormonal acne, and we can work with you to discover the cause with hormone testing and create a personalized treatment plan.

Call us today at (513) 444-6343 or schedule a consultation online to learn more about how to treat hormonal acne.