Anyone who has adult acne knows it can be frustrating. If breakouts have plagued you in your 20s and beyond, you're probably wondering what to do about hormonal acne. It turns out that acne can occur no matter how well you take care of your skin.
“Hormonal acne is the term used to describe breakouts in adult women,” says Joshua Zeichner, MDAssociate Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. “This is a bit of a misnomer because the reality is that all acne is determined by your hormones. Hormones like testosterone stimulate the activity of the sebaceous glands, which leads to increased sebum production and inflammation.”
According to Dr. Zeichner, breakouts tend to be cyclical and occur during the menstrual cycle due to the rise and fall of hormone levels. Hormonal acne is also much more common than you think: somewhere between 12% and 22% Women aged 26 to 44 experience acne in their daily lives.
Below, Dr. Zeichner explains what to do about hormonal acne and some recommended ways to get clearer skin.
What is hormonal acne?
Adult acne is characterized by red bumps that usually appear in the lower third of the face around the jawline. “As hormone levels rise midway through the menstrual cycle, the sebaceous glands become activated, leading to breakouts a week or two later when a woman gets her period,” explains Dr. Zeichner.
How do I know if my acne is hormonal?
There are some key differences between hormonal acne and acne that occurs in teenagers. According to Dr. Zeichner, teenage acne is characterized by pimples appearing all over the face, including acne And whiteheads.
In adults, acne is much more inflammatory. “It appears as papules and deeper, painful cysts under the skin,” says Dr. Zeichner. “It's important to note that the pimples seen with hormonal adult acne are usually not the kind that can be picked out. Especially in this group of patients, picking at the skin can do more harm than good, causing tears in the outer layer of skin with potential infection and scarring.”
What Causes Hormonal Acne?
There is no clear answer to this question, since each organism is unique. In addition to hormones, Dr. Zeichner cites stress and diet as potential causes. “High sugar foods, as well as cow's milk, have been shown to worsen acne, so try to stick to a low glycemic index and consider milk alternatives such as almond milk,” he says. “Whey protein and vitamin B12 have also been linked to acne.”
