Hormonal acne

Hormonal acne, often referred to as adult acne, occurs due to changes in your hormone levels. While it can start during adolescence, it's commonly associated with acne in adulthood.

Breakouts are triggered when excess oil (sebum) clogs your pores. Hormonal acne may appear as various types of pimples, including whiteheads or cysts. Seeing a dermatologist can help you pinpoint the cause of your hormonal acne and develop a personalized treatment plan.

What is hormonal acne?

Hormonal acne results from an overproduction of sebum in your skin's oil glands. This is often triggered by a hormonal imbalance, which stimulates excess sebum production and leads to oily skin.

Hormonal acne is quite common, especially among women. Adult acne affects about 50% of women in their 20s and can persist into the 30s, 40s and even 50s. Although less common, hormonal acne can also affect men, particularly during puberty or due to testosterone treatment.

How can you tell if acne is hormonal?

Hormonal acne may be confused with common acne, or acne vulgaris, since pimples look the same. While acne is caused by clogged pores due to dead skin cells, bacteria or excess oil, hormonal acne is only caused by clogged pores due to excess oil from a hormonal imbalance.

What causes hormonal acne?

Fluctuating hormone levels – especially an increase in androgens – can lead to higher oil production in the skin, causing acne. Androgens, including testosterone, estrogen and oestrogen, are essential hormones that help people enter puberty and mature physically.

In adults, hormonal acne can happen during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.

Other hormonal acne causes include:

• Testosterone treatment
• Medications such as birth control and steroids
• Conditions that affect your hormone levels, like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hypothyroidism
• Family history of adult acne

Diagnosing hormonal acne

A dermatologist diagnoses hormonal acne by examining your skin, reviewing your medical history and discussing your symptoms. Sharing lifestyle factors, such as your diet and skincare routine, can also help with your diagnosis. If a hormonal imbalance is suspected, your doctor may order blood tests to check your hormone levels.

How to treat hormonal acne

The goal of treatment is to manage your hormone levels and prevent future breakouts. Your doctor will also recommend you use gentle, oil-free skincare products that won't aid in clogging your pores.

Your treatment approach depends on the cause, type and severity of your acne. Common treatments for hormonal acne include:

• Topical creams: Prescription-strength creams or gels with retinoids, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or antibiotics.
• Oral medications: May include antibiotics to reduce inflammation, or hormonal treatments like birth control pills or spironolactone for acne treatment in women.
• Cortisone injections: Can quickly reduce inflammation and pain in deep, persistent nodules and cysts.

To help cure hormonal acne naturally, avoid squeezing or picking at your acne, as this can worsen your condition. This is especially true if you have cysts and nodules. Stress, a poor diet and lack of sleep can also make hormonal acne worse.

Find a dermatologist

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