In the US, acne is the most common skin condition. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), there may be up to 50 million people (about twice the population of Texas) affected by acne at any given time.
Acne occurs when your skin produces excess sebum — the oily substance that keeps your skin moisturized. When too much sebum combines with dead skin cells or bacteria, it clogs the pores and leads to breakouts, inflammation, and pimples. One specific type of acne that many people deal with is hormonal acne.
Hormonal acne happens when there are fluctuations in your hormone levels, particularly androgens such as testosterone. These hormones stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce more oil than necessary, altering your skin’s chemistry and creating an ideal environment for acne to form. This type of acne is most common in teenagers going through puberty, but it also affects adults — especially women — due to menstrual cycles, pregnancy, menopause, or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Hormonal acne often shows up in predictable areas of the face, such as the jawline, chin, and lower cheeks. It may appear as painful cysts, whiteheads, or blackheads that don’t respond well to traditional over-the-counter treatments.
If you’re noticing persistent breakouts tied to your monthly cycle or stress levels, it could be a sign of hormonal imbalance. A dermatologist can evaluate your skin and develop a personalized treatment plan — which may include topical medications, oral contraceptives, lifestyle adjustments, or hormonal therapy — to effectively manage and reduce hormonal acne.
Don’t let hormonal acne control your confidence. If you’re in East New York, schedule a consultation today with the skin experts at Dermatology – Doral Health & Wellness NY for specialized, science-backed treatment options.
Causes of Hormonal Acne
Hormonal acne is the result of hormonal changes that increase the amount of oil (sebum) produced by your skin. This excess oil mixes with bacteria and dead skin cells within your pores — particularly in the hair follicles — leading to inflammation, clogged pores, and breakouts.
Clogged pores can be triggered or worsened by several internal and external factors, including:
Excess sebum produced by overactive sebaceous glands.
Dead skin cells that build up on the surface and inside your pores.
Bacteria (especially Cutibacterium acnes) that contribute to infection and inflammation.
Chronic stress, which spikes cortisol levels and triggers more oil production.
Sleep deprivation, which disrupts hormonal balance and skin healing.
Pore-clogging skin and hair products (comedogenic ingredients can trap oil and debris).
Hormonal fluctuations in women (linked to menstrual cycles, pregnancy, menopause, or stopping birth control).
Testosterone therapy in men, which stimulates the oil glands and can worsen acne.
Family history of acne, indicating a genetic predisposition.
Certain medications, like corticosteroids or androgens, that disrupt hormone levels.
Medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), insulin resistance, and other metabolic disorders.
While some of these causes — such as genetics or medical conditions — are beyond your control, others are lifestyle-related and manageable. For example, reducing stress through relaxation techniques, improving your sleep routine, and choosing non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) skincare and haircare products can significantly help reduce breakouts.
Symptoms
Symptoms of acne depend mostly on the type and severity of your condition. This is what Hormonal acne looks like:
- Whiteheads (closed plugged pores)
- Blackheads (open plugged pores)
- Small red, tender bumps (papules)
- Pimples (pustules), which are papules with pus
- Large, solid, painful lumps under the skin (nodules)
- Painful, pus-filled lumps under the skin (cystic acne)
Acne can appear anywhere on your body, but the most common locations are:
- Face.
- Neck.
- Back.
- Shoulders.
- Chest.
Treatment
The right treatment for hormonal acne depends on the severity and underlying cause of your condition. Treatment options range from over-the-counter (OTC) topical products for mild cases to prescription medications for more persistent or severe acne.
Mild Acne Treatment
For mild hormonal acne, topical treatments are often effective. These include:
Benzoyl peroxide: Found in many OTC acne products, this topical ingredient helps kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce inflammation.
Salicylic acid: Helps exfoliate the skin, unclog pores, and reduce oil buildup.
Retinoids: Derived from vitamin A, these help with skin cell turnover and prevent clogged pores.
Gentle cleansers: Daily use of non-comedogenic, pH-balanced face washes can reduce breakouts.
Moderate to Severe Acne Treatment
Moderate to severe cases may require a combination of topical and oral treatments, especially if inflammation and deep cysts are present.
Antibiotics (topical or oral): Medications like tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline, or erythromycin are often prescribed for about 3 months to reduce bacteria and inflammation.
Hormonal therapy: If antibiotics aren’t effective — especially in women — dermatologists may recommend:
Anti-androgen medications like spironolactone, which help block hormone receptors and reduce oil production.
Oral contraceptives (birth control pills): These can help regulate hormonal fluctuations that cause acne by controlling androgen levels.
Isotretinoin (Accutane): For severe, cystic acne that doesn’t respond to other treatments, this powerful medication can be considered under medical supervision.
What can you do?
There are some precautions that you can take to manage and treat acne naturally. They are:
- Wash your face with clean water and a mild cleanser twice a day, once in the morning and another in the evening.
- Do not touch or scrub the skin or burst the pimple, as it may lead to an infection in the pores causing more blocking, swelling, and redness.
- Avoid popping pimples, as they leave permanent scars.
- Avoid using harsh scrubs or exfoliators.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Wash your hands more frequently, especially before applying lotions, creams, or makeup.
- Avoid stress or anxiety as it increases the production of cortisol and adrenaline generating more acne.
- Keep yourself cool and dry in a hot and humid climate and avoid sweating.
- Acne is quite a common problem. It creates a huge embarrassment sometimes, but the good thing is that you can fix the symptoms permanently by knowing the cause of your acne.
At Doral Health & Wellness Our team of endocrinologists excels in diagnosing and treating endocrine imbalances, and diseases, enabling patients to lead a healthy life.
Have questions or need a second opinion? At Doral Health and Wellness, we have doctors that can help you manage your condition. For more information, you can visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11212, or call us on 1-347-384-5690. You can also visit our website at https://doralhw.org or contact us at info@mainwebsite.dialysisny.com if you have any queries.
