Acne can be caused by so many things. Lack of sleep, stress, genetics, sugar - but one major trigger for acne is hormones. Whether you are experiencing hormonal changes or imbalances, hormones can have a major influence on your skin. If you are someone who is currently struggling with hormonal acne, I am here today to share some tips around understanding and improving acne triggered by hormones.

As a Licensed Esthetician and Acne Specialist, I have worked with many clients who have identified that their acne is, in fact, hormonal acne. As we begin to dig into their skin’s needs, it is important for me to explain to my clients that although hormones can be a trigger for acne, it is usually not the cause. 

As mentioned in previous blogs, acne is actually a genetic condition caused by retention hyperkeratosis. Retention Hyperkeratosis is when the skin’s cellular turnover is accelerated which causes the excess dead skin to clog pores. Because of this process, this means that hormones are most likely not the singular trigger for your acne. In order to find healing for your skin’s inflammation, it is important to consider all possible acne triggers whether internal and external.

Potential Hormonal Acne Triggers

There are many types of hormonal imbalances that we can face as human beings. Throughout our lives, our hormones fluctuate constantly. This can apply to many men as they experience hormonal changes, but women especially can struggle with hormonal changes depending on their life season or environment. 

Food

You’ve probably heard this a thousand times before, but that is because it rings true for you and your skin’s health in the midst of hormonal changes. What we eat can influence our hormonal balance.

There are many lifestyle choices that can help support and encourage your body's overall wellness, which includes the benefits of your hormones balancing out naturally. This means it is important to never underestimate the power of a healthy diet. 

These days what is considered a “healthy” diet is controversial. More than counting calories or trying to fit yourself into a certain body type, in my opinion, treating your body with kindness nutritionally consists of nourishing your body with fresh and natural foods. Avoiding overly processed foods as much as possible, while also limiting inflammatory foods like sugar, caffeine and alcohol as well is key to supporting healthy skin. 

Testosterone

One hormone that is known for triggering acne when it is excess in either women or men, is testosterone. Testosterone is an androgenic hormone (cis-male hormone), but women create small amounts of testosterone in their ovaries as well. It is actually dihydrotestosterone (DHT) that is responsible for triggering acne, which is converted from testosterone. It is common for individuals who have elevated testosterone to experience acne on the jaw or neck area, as well as the back. 

Stress

Have you ever heard of cortisol? If you haven’t, experiencing stress as a human being leads to the creation of cortisol in our bodies. When we experience high levels of stress due to an anxiety-inducing period in our lives, decreased mental health, etc. - there usually is an excess of cortisol being produced in our system. This overproduction of cortisol is then actually converted to DHT (mentioned earlier). This is how stress can trigger acne; stress induced breakouts are most commonly found on the temples but can also be on the jaw or neck area as well.

Low Progesterone

Acne can also be triggered by other hormonal imbalances such as low progesterone, which is common for women specifically to experience while on birth control. Birth control can actually cause you to experience acne because it can throw off the previous hormonal balance. If you feel that your birth control is causing acne, I recommend consulting with your doctor to find a birth control that is higher in estrogen to help prevent acne. Breakouts due to low progesterone tend to be around the mouth and chin area.  

As a side note, women who are not on birth control usually can identify more precisely what type of hormonal imbalance they have. For example…

• Shorter menstrual cycles (21-27 days) can point to low progesterone.

• Longer menstrual cycles (32-40+ days) can point to elevated testosterone. 

All hormones work to balance the other so if one is out of balance it throws off the whole system.

Ask Your Doctor

There are characteristics or symptoms that can help you to determine if you have a hormonal imbalance whether it is perceived as a mild or severe imbalance. In this case, it may also be a good idea to ask your doctor for hormonal testing. But overall, in order to treat acne effectively, it is best to take a holistic approach by addressing all potential internal and external triggers. Hormones do play a large role for many acne sufferers and my hope is that this information helps you to understand and treat hormonal acne.