How to Treat Hormonal Acne
Lily Mahnken
| 2 min read
Many people think acne is just a teenage result of puberty, menstruation and a changing body. That’s not always the case.
In fact, hormonal acne can continue on from teenage acne or start in adulthood. It can affect adults age 20 to 50. What exactly is hormonal acne and how do you get rid of it?
What is hormonal acne?
Hormonal acne is linked to fluctuating hormone levels, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It isn’t simply getting pimples from time to time; hormonal acne can include pimples and cysts that coincide with a person’s menstrual cycle. Hormonal acne can be more painful than normal acne, and cyclical breakouts can range from mild to severe.
What are symptoms of hormonal acne?
Hormonal acne breakouts typically are located on:
- Cheeks
- Jawline
- Chest
- Shoulders
- Neck
- Back
Hormonal acne can range from mild, which means whiteheads or blackheads, to severe, which includes cysts or nodules, according to Aurora Health Care. Hormonal acne is persistent and can even cause scarring.
What causes hormonal acne?
During menstruation or years leading up to menopause, production of the hormone progesterone increases in women. Progesterone triggers the release of sebum, which is an oily substance that clogs pores and interacts with bacteria to produce acne. Besides changing hormone levels, there are many other causes that prompt hormonal acne according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. Stress, lack of sleep, family history, diet and side effects of medication all contribute to hormonal acne. Some causes are controllable while others aren’t.
How to treat hormonal acne?
Despite being persistent, hormonal acne can be managed in many ways according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine. First, a change in diet and eating more zinc, vitamin D or fish oil can lessen the appearance of hormonal acne.
It’s also important to choose a cleanser that contains chemical exfoliants such as benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid or salicylic acid to prevent pore-clogging. Topical retinoids are helpful as well, especially for long term prevention of hormonal acne. You can purchase prescription retinoids or buy retinol products over the counter.
If these don’t work, other common medications to treat hormonal acne include birth control, antiandrogen drugs or Accutane. Talk to your primary care provider or dermatologist for guidance.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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