As many as 50 million Americans develop acne each year, and it’s not just teenagers going through puberty.

Individuals of all ages are susceptible to breakouts. In fact, adult acne is on the rise. One of the main culprits behind these later-in-life blemishes is hormones. 

In this article, we explain what hormonal acne is so that you can identify and understand it a bit better. 

We’ve also outlined some of the most effective treatment options for getting hormonal acne under control. 

What Is Hormonal Acne?

Hormonal acne develops when there is an imbalance or surplus of androgen and/or estrogen hormones in the body.

Androgens are a group of sex hormones that regulate human development. They also trigger puberty.

Among many impacts, estrogen can slow sebum (oil) production. Androgens, on the other hand, tend to speed it up. 

When these two hormones are balanced, your skin may be crystal clear. When they’re off-kilter, it can create the perfect conditions for breakouts.

This hormone imbalance can cause the skin to produce excess sebum that clogs the pores.

Other factors that can contribute to hormonal acne breakouts are:

• Acne-producing bacteria.
• General skin inflammation.

Who Gets Hormonal Acne?

Any person can develop hormonal acne, even if you’ve never struggled with breakouts before.

However, women are more likely to experience these breakouts due to hormonal imbalances caused by menstruation and menopause.

You may consider yourself too old to develop acne once you’ve been through menopause, but it’s not uncommon for flare-ups to occur.

Studies show that hormonal acne affects 26% of women aged 40 to 49 and 15% of women aged 50 and up. Even women who counter their menopausal symptoms with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) aren’t immune to hormone-related blemishes. The progestin introduced to offset the loss of estrogen and progesterone can be a catalyst for a sudden bought of acne.

How Can I Tell the Difference Between Hormonal Acne and Regular Acne?

It can be difficult to distinguish between hormonal and regular acne because the blemishes look very similar.

However, there are a few telltale differences between the two.

Does Junk Food Cause Hormonal Acne?

Contrary to what countless TV sitcoms may suggest, eating chocolate and other junk food won’t make you break out—at least not directly.

When we experience a hormonal imbalance, our bodies often make/release less estrogen and more cortisol—the hormone responsible for managing the body’s stress responses and metabolism.

Cortisol triggers a surge of energy in the body that causes it to use stored fats and carbohydrates, which can speed up our metabolic rate.

This is why we often crave fatty and oily foods when we experience hormonal fluctuations (like during menstruation) or when we're stressed.

While junk food isn’t the direct cause of breakouts, there are certain foods that can contribute to inflammation. This is one of the factors that cause you to develop hormonal acne.

To reduce inflammation and minimize breakouts, it’s a good idea to incorporate the following into your diet:

• Berries and cherries.
• Broccoli.
• Peppers.
• Mushrooms.
• Turmeric.
• Sardines, salmon, and other fish full of omega-3 fatty acids.
• Extra virgin olive oil.
• Avocados.

You should also try limiting your consumption of the following foods that fuel inflammation and contribute to breakouts:

• Fried foods.
• Sugary drinks.
• Chips and pretzels.
• Trans fats, such as margarine.
• Processed meats such as bacon, hot dogs, and salami.
• Refined carbohydrates, such as white rice, white bread, crackers, and pasta.
• Fast food.

How Do You Treat Hormonal Acne?

Although hormonal acne flare-ups tend to resolve once hormone levels return to normal, there are a few things you can do to promote clear skin.

Hormone-related acne often develops deep underneath the skin, so you’ll need a treatment option that can tackle acne from within.

Oral Contraceptives

Oral contraceptives are one of the most common methods used to treat mild hormonal acne.

Oral contraceptives work by pairing the estrogen medication ethinylestradiol with one of the following progestogens to "normalize" or smooth hormone fluctuations:

• Norgestimate (sold under the brand name Ortho Tri-Cyclen).
• Norethindrone (most commonly known as Micronor).
• Drospirenone (brand name Yaz).

Although a daily contraceptive can be effective for treating hormonal acne, their use should be discussed with and will require the help of a healthcare professional.

Self-medication can be dangerous if you don’t use the correct dosage or take the medication at the right intervals.

Oral contraceptives can also increase the risk of developing:

• High blood pressure.
• Breast cancer.
• Blood clots.

Women with a history of the conditions above are sometimes discouraged from using oral contraceptives.

Anti-Androgen Drugs

Elevated androgen levels can lead to blemishes in both men and women.

These hormones can disrupt hair follicles and increase the skin’s sebum production.

If your dermatologist determines an abundance of androgens is to blame for your acne, they may prescribe a high blood pressure medicine called spironolactone. This medication curbs your body’s androgen production and gives your skin a break.

The use of anti-androgen medication should also be discussed with your health care provider.

Can You Treat Hormonal Acne Without Medication?

If your hormonal acne causes mild breakouts, you may be able to treat them using plant-based or topical remedies.

Although these non-hormonal acne treatment options are less potent and may take longer to work than prescription drugs, they are less likely to cause severe skin reactions. 

Topical Treatments

Topical aids are products that you can apply directly to your face to treat hormonal acne. 

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most effective topical aids for managing hormonal breakouts.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is an oil-based exfoliant that works to regulate and reduce excess sebum production. It also breaks down oil that is trapped in the pores to clear the skin and decrease breakouts.

Although salicylic acid is a good option for treating acne, some people may find that it dehydrates their skin. 

Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)

AHAs are more aggressive exfoliants than salicylic acid and may be more beneficial for severe forms of hormonal acne.

These acids slough off dead skin cells that can contribute to clogged pores. AHAs also minimize discoloration and acne scarring that often occurs with cystic breakouts.

Retinoids

Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives and powerful skin-healing ingredients. They work deep in the skin to stimulate the production of new cells. These cells are then pushed to the surface to remove dead skin cells that can clog pores and help heal blemishes or even reduce wrinkles. This helps the skin stay clear and radiant.

A hormonal breakout may respond well to retinoids because they can remove excess oil from the skin.

A topical retinoid like tretinoin also helps the skin heal acne scars left behind after a breakout.

Clindamycin

Clindamycin is an antibiotic that prevents harmful bacteria from developing on the skin and infecting pores. Clindamycin can be prescribed as an oral medication or as a gel to treat mild and severe forms of acne.

Hormonal acne breakouts may benefit from clindamycin treatments because the ingredient also has anti-inflammatory properties—perfect for soothing painful cysts.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is an anti-inflammatory ingredient derived from vitamin B3. It’s often used alongside topical retinoids to minimize any adverse reactions.

Niacinamide can also help the skin to regulate oil production which can minimize the frequency of breakouts and keep the complexion clear. Niacinamide is also a good moisturizer because it helps the skin retain water. 

Green Tea and Tea Tree Oil

Both green tea and tea tree oil fight hormonal acne by reducing inflammation. Regularly drinking green tea can work alongside your existing skin care regimen to minimize breakouts.

Lotions containing green tea or tea tree oil may also ease symptoms and provide some relief.

In addition to moisturizers and gels, tea tree oil can also be found in cleansers and toners. It can even be used as a spot treatment, provided you dilute it with a carrier oil, such as olive or coconut oil, before application.

Personalized Prescription Acne Plans

One of the most effective ways to put an end to severe hormonal acne is to follow an expert-approved treatment plan.

Over-the-counter (OTC) products can be ineffective if you don’t know how to use them correctly or for particularly stubborn acne cases. A licensed dermatologist can help with customized prescriptions and a step-by-step treatment plan based on your skin’s sensitivities and concerns.

Dermatologists will ensure that you know when to use your products and will be able to recommend the most effective concentration of each ingredient.

A dermatologist may also adjust your prescriptions if you find that they are too strong or too mild for your skin.

Typically, getting a personalized treatment plan involve an in-office consultation to determine what you’ll need to combat hormonal acne.

Luckily, getting these personalized plans from a dermatologist doesn’t necessarily have to include fitting multiple office visits into your busy schedule any more.

More and more skincare providers are offering telehealth services. At Nava MD, we operate entirely online and treat acne using a variety of targeted approaches.

Our range of prescription and OTC products are formulated with ingredients like tretinoin, niacinamide, and clindamycin to promote clear and healthy skin.

Achieve Your Best Skin with Nava MD

No matter what type of treatment you choose, don’t let hormonal acne keep you cooped up at home.

Hormonal acne treatments are within reach. Allow the experienced, licensed clinicians at Nava MD help you achieve a clear and radiant complexion.

After you’ve completed a simple online consultation, your products are shipped directly to your front door, if approved.

Start your journey to clear skin with Nava MD today.