What causes hormonal acne?
Acne is caused by clogged pores. Hormonal acne develops when hormonal changes increase the amount of oil your skin produces. This oil interacts with bacteria on the pores of your skin where hair grows (hair follicles) and results in acne.
Clogged pores are the result of:
- Excess sebum (the oily substance created from the sebaceous glands in the middle layer of your skin).
- Dead skin cells.
- Bacteria.
Causes of hormonal acne that you can control
- Stress.
- Lack of sleep.
- Using hair and skin care products that aren’t oil-free or free of ingredients that won’t clog pores (non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic).
Causes for hormonal acne that you can’t do anything about
- Changing hormone levels in women, including around your period, irregular periods, during pregnancy, during menopause or after discontinuing birth control.
- Men undergoing testosterone treatment.
- Family history of acne (genetic predisposition).
- Side effect of a medication (steroids).
- Pre-existing medical conditions (polycystic ovary syndrome, other ovarian conditions and metabolic conditions).
Is hormonal acne caused by pregnancy?
When you are pregnant, hormonal fluctuations can cause acne. Often, acne gets better as your pregnancy progresses. There are several treatments that you should avoid during pregnancy, including topical retinoids, salicylic acid and isotretinoin. Ask your healthcare provider about the safest acne treatment for you to reduce and eliminate breakouts during pregnancy.
What are the symptoms of hormonal acne?
Acne causes lesions (damaged skin tissue) that can become inflamed and be red, painful or sore. Lesions are most likely to appear on your cheeks, but may also appear in the following places:
- Face.
- Neck.
- Back.
- Shoulders.
- Chest.
Hormonal acne can appear as the following types of lesions:
- Whiteheads.
- Blackheads.
- Papules (raised skin tissue, 2-5 mm in diameter).
- Pustules (skin bumps that contain pus, 2-5 mm in diameter).
- Cysts (pockets under the skin that contain fluid).
What can make hormonal acne worse?
- Stress.
- Pollution.
- High humidity.
- Squeezing or picking at blemishes.
- Poor diet (specifically refined carbohydrates and sugars).
FAQs
Hormonal acne is acne that occurs when a person's hormone level fluctuates. Fluctuations of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone can cause zits and pimples to pop up. Typically, these fluctuations happen mostly during menstruation cycles, pregnancy and menopause.
Is there anything you can do to prevent hormonal acne? ›
Though hormonal acne can be unavoidable, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk of getting breakouts: Make lifestyle changes to reduce stress, get better sleep and eat a healthy diet. Use skincare products that won't clog pores.
What is hormonal treatment for acne? ›
Any medication that acts on our hormones is called hormonal therapy. Two hormonal therapies that can effectively clear acne in women are: Oral contraceptive pills (better known as birth control pills or “the pill”) Spironolactone (spy-ren-no-lac-tone)
How to fix hormonal acne naturally? ›
Following a nutrient-dense diet, cutting out dairy, and limiting added sugars are evidence-based practices that may improve acne symptoms. Taking certain supplements like vitamin D and green tea extract, getting enough sleep, quitting smoking, and reducing stress are other healthy ways to fight this disease.
What foods get rid of hormonal acne? ›
Diet for hormonal acne
- non-starchy vegetables.
- whole grains and cereals.
- beans and legumes.
- nuts and seeds.
- fruits such as apples, berries, and plums.
Hormonal acne often lasts for several years with symptoms coming and going, particularly among younger people. However it can last for short periods of time, such as days or weeks too. Hormonal acne normally improves as you get older. It disappears for most people by their mid 20s.
How to tell if acne is hormonal or bacterial? ›
Location: Bacterial acne is more frequently found on oily skin regions like the forehead, nose, and chin, while hormonal acne is typically found on the lower face and jawline. Timing: Before menstruation or during ovulation are two times of the menstrual cycle when hormonal acne tends to worsen.
What age does hormonal acne stop? ›
It's common for hormonal teenage acne to start between the ages of 10 and 13 and to last until you're in your early twenties. However, it can also stick around. Depending on your family's history and a few other factors, you may experience hormonal acne throughout your adult life.
What foods should you avoid if you have acne? ›
Examples include white bread, corn flakes, puffed rice, potato chips, white potatoes or fries, doughnuts or other pastries, sugary drinks such as milkshakes, and white rice. Findings from small studies suggest that following a low-glycemic diet may reduce the amount of acne you have.
Which vitamin is best for hormonal acne? ›
Vitamins for Acne
- Vitamin A.
- Vitamin E.
- Vitamin D.
- Vitamin C.
Spironolactone is the most common treatment for hormonal acne that is provided by Dermatologists.
Can I take anything for hormonal acne? ›
For mild to moderate or moderate to severe acne, you'll usually be started on a combination of topical treatments, or antibiotic tablets combined with topical treatments. Hormonal therapies or the combined oral contraceptive pill can also be effective in women who have acne.
What can I drink to clear hormonal acne? ›
Spearmint tea is said to be the most potent mint to kill acne-causing bacteria and yeast, and has anti-inflammatory properties that can calm active acne. According to Agarwal, the combination of green tea and lemon is a potent blend to address acne.
How do I stop hormones from giving me acne? ›
6 Ways To Fight Your Hormonal Imbalance Acne
- Over-the-counter Cleansers. Over-the-counter cleansers are often the first line of defense to try against pesky pimples. ...
- Topical Retinoids. ...
- Oral-contraceptive Pills. ...
- Spironolactone (Anti-Androgen Drugs) ...
- Accutane. ...
- Clean Up Your Diet.
Foods that trigger acne include milk, whey protein, refined carbohydrates, high GI foods, sugar, alcohol, and inflammatory fats. These foods impact your skin by increasing the production of hormones that worsen acne.
What hormonal factors cause acne? ›
The rise in androgen levels can trigger a process of higher sebum production, changes in skin cell activity, inflammation, and colonization of the hair follicles by a bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). This can lead to acne.
How do I know if my acne is bacterial or hormonal? ›
Location: Bacterial acne is more frequently found on oily skin regions like the forehead, nose, and chin, while hormonal acne is typically found on the lower face and jawline. Timing: Before menstruation or during ovulation are two times of the menstrual cycle when hormonal acne tends to worsen.
Is hormonal acne caused by too much estrogen? ›
Both rise and fall of estrogen levels can give you a hard blow of deep, cystic acne on your skin. Therefore, your estrogen levels should always be in perfect balance, not too high and not too low. Both men and women have estrogen, but men have it only in small amounts.
Is hormonal acne from stress? ›
Stress won't give you acne if you're not already predisposed to it, but it can make acne worse by causing levels of certain hormones to temporarily increase. “When your fight-or-flight response is activated, the body releases stress hormones, such as cortisol and androgens,” Dr. Minni explained.
