Acne related to hormones can be common in adolescents going through puberty. However, hormonal acne can strike at any age. The skin condition tends to occur more often in females than males, with adult acne affecting up to 15% of women, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Generally, women are more prone to experiencing breakouts due to hormonal changes, like menopause.
What is hormonal acne?
Acne is commonly the result of hormonal fluctuations, which is why it often occurs during puberty. Over 85% of teenagers will have problems with hormonal acne on their face, jawline, neck, shoulders, chest, back, and/or upper arms. Hormonal acne can range from mild to severe, and while it can sometimes be annoying or painful, acne can usually be managed with diligent treatment.
The primary characteristic of any type of acne is clogged pores, which appear on the surface of the skin as comedones, more commonly called whiteheads, blackheads, papules, or pimples.
Hormones don’t play as significant a role in adult acne, which is typically linked to stress, diet, and medications. However, fluctuating hormone levels during significant life changes, like perimenopause and pregnancy, can contribute to hormonal acne flare-ups in adult women.
Causes of acne
Hormones play a role in several bodily functions, such as menstruation, sleep regulation, and metabolism. They are your body’s way of chemically communicating when it’s time to do certain things. However, an excess of hormones can result in certain functions becoming hyperactive, which is essentially what happens in the skin during puberty.
Later in life, skin-hyperactivity-related hormonal fluctuations can be caused by menopause, menstruation, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
When there’s an excess of the hormones called androgens (the primary male hormones), the sebaceous glands go into overdrive, producing sebum. Sebum is a natural skin protectant and moisturizer. However, when your skin’s pores can’t keep up with the sebum production, it can cause them to clog.
Excess sebum from high androgen levels can also clog hair follicles, known as acne vulgaris. If these clogs become irritated and inflamed, a pimple (zit) forms. During puberty, hormonal acne in the T-zone, or your chin, nose, and forehead, can be common, while adults often experience hormonal breakouts on the jawline and lower cheeks.
Unfortunately, the increase in oil production on your skin also makes it a friendlier environment for the acne-causing bacteria Propionibacterium acnes. These bacteria normally live on your skin without causing any problems, but with the extra oil, they can overgrow and produce pimples. Infected pimples will bulge, turn red, and become inflamed. A cyst may form, characterized by a large and painful bump that forms deep in a pore underneath the surface of the skin.
What triggers acne?
Dead skin cells, bacteria, and excessively oily skin can all contribute to hormonal acne breakouts. However, women may find themselves particularly susceptible when they have hormonal imbalances due to hormone conditions or certain life stages. Hormone-related conditions that can cause acne flare-ups include:
- Puberty
- Changing hormonal birth control methods
- Pregnancy
- Menstrual cycles
- Menopause
Other things which may aggravate acne include:
- Comedogenic facial creams or cosmetics
- Greasy hair products
- Clothing or laundry detergents
- Sweat
- Heat and humidity
- Stress
Is there a hormonal breakout treatment?
Many acne treatments are available over the counter, and most people will find they are effective. Formulas that can help treat acne often contain the following:
- Salicylic acid
- Glycolic acid
- Azelaic acid
- Lactic acid
- Benzoyl peroxide
These ingredients can be found in peels, cleansers, and serums. You may have to try a few different products to find one that’s effective for you. Most products won’t provide results overnight for clearer skin, so give each product 3-4 weeks to work. Wash your face thoroughly, remove all cosmetics, and apply the solution before bedtime.
You may need to see a dermatologist for more severe acne (cystic acne) or worsening acne that does not respond to treatment. They may prescribe:
- Birth control pills (oral contraceptive pills)
- Oral vitamin A that reduces the amount of oil released by oil glands in your skin
- Spironolactone, an anti-androgen drug
- Topical retinoids
- Antibiotics – could come in a topical treatment or oral medication
- Steroids – typically in a cream, but can be injected into very large cysts or nodules to reduce their size
- Isotretinoin (Accutane) – for severe acne (cystic acne) with large cysts and scarring
Generally, visiting a dermatology office is advised if your acne isn’t responding to over-the-counter treatment options or is impacting your daily life.
Can hormonal acne be prevented?
You may not be able to prevent all types of acne, but you can greatly reduce its appearance by controlling the oil production of your skin. Wash your face in the morning and before bedtime with a soft washcloth, warm water, and mild, unscented soap. Use gentle motions and try not to scrub, which can irritate the skin. Use non-comedogenic (non-clogging) moisturizers and skin care products. Avoid picking at your pimples, as this can cause scarring.
Have questions about your health? Talk to Dr. Aliabadi
Dr. Aliabadi isn’t only an expert OB/GYN but is knowledgeable in all aspects of women’s health and well-being, including hormonal changes and their side effects. Dr. Aliabadi and her caring, supportive staff are available to support you through menopause, childbirth, infertility, or even just routine gynecological care.
We invite you to establish care with Dr. Aliabadi. Please make an appointment online or call us at (844) 863-6700.
The practice of Dr. Thais Aliabadi and the Outpatient Hysterectomy Center is conveniently located for patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area. We are near Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and Downtown Los Angeles.
Hormonal Acne FAQs
Are menopause breakouts normal?
Leading up to menopause (perimenopause) and during, estrogen levels decrease, and androgen levels rise, potentially leading to menopause zits on the cheeks, jawline, and neck.
Are there natural remedies for hormonal breakouts?
While there is little research on natural cures for hormonal acne, foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants may help calm inflammation, which can worsen acne.
Can hormones cause acne in men?
Hormones causing acne in women is a more common occurrence, but it can happen in men. Usually, men are more likely to experience acne as a result of comedogenic or greasy products.
Sources
Skin Conditions by the Numbers. https://www.aad.org/media/stats-numbers
Acne Vulgaris. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459173/
Menopausal Acne- Challenges and Solutions. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6825478/
What Can I Do About Acne? https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/prevent-acne.html
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