Hormonal acne is caused by an imbalance and fluctuation in hormones, hence the name!
Acne is a frustrating but extremely common skin condition that most of us experience at some point in our lives, usually during adolescence and young adulthood. It can be the result of issues with diet, hygiene, or hormones.
However, pinpointing whether someone’s acne is being caused by hormones (“hormonal acne”) can be frustrating because we can’t visually see the hormone imbalance. We need bloodwork drawn and a dermatologist’s help to determine if hormones are the root of our acne problem.
However, there are a few factors that can help a dermatology provider narrow things down to determine whether or not you’re experiencing hormonal acne.
Age is a factor in hormonal acne
We expect teenagers to have acne. After all, their hormones are raging and they are going through major bodily changes. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always stop there. Once you reach your 20’s and 30’s, acne can strike again, especially in women. If you are past your teen years and are still experiencing acne or maybe you had baby soft skin during your teens and you are just now breaking out, these are good signs its hormonal acne.
Hormonal Acne is Often Cyclical
If you are breaking out around the same time every month and you are a female, then more than likely its hormonal acne. Hormonal fluctuations caused by menstruation and even menopause can create an excess of oil produced causing more breakouts.
Acne Type Can Be an Indicator of Hormonal Acne
There are different types of acne. Most often, acne consists of blackheads, whiteheads and clogged pores that become infected (papules and pustules). On the other hand, hormonal acne can result in nodules and cysts. Nodules hurt. They are large, hard and go deeper into your skin. Cysts are also deep but can have pus and are softer. If you are experiencing large, hard bumps you are unable to “pop” (please stop trying, you don’t want to scar), these are likely related to hormones.
Acne Location Can Also Be an Indicator of Hormonal Acne
The location of your acne can be telling. Hormonal acne is usually found around the jawline and cheeks. The excess hormones in your body are making your oil production increase as well and many oil glands are around the chin/jawline.
How to Treat Hormonal Acne
So how do you treat hormonal acne? Honestly, you are going to find many at-home remedies out there in your online searches, but the absolute best thing you can do for hormonal acne is scheduling an appointment with your dermatologist.
Hormonal acne is harder to treat and oftentimes requires not only prescription creams but possibly even an oral medication to help balance out those hormones.
