Why Breakouts Worsen During Hormonal Shifts
Your skin can suddenly erupt in pimples when hormones fluctuate, like during your period, pregnancy, or menopause. These shifts mess with oil production and pore health, leading to more breakouts. Hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol play key roles in keeping skin balanced. When they swing up or down, it throws things off.
One main reason is extra sebum, the oily stuff your skin makes. Androgens like testosterone ramp up sebaceous glands, which pump out more oil. This creates a slick environment inside pores where dead skin cells stick together, forming clogs called microcomedones. These turn into blackheads, whiteheads, or inflamed pimples. Studies show sebum levels directly match acne severity, and hormonal changes during puberty, monthly cycles, or pregnancy boost this oil flow.[1][4][5]
Estrogen usually helps by regulating sebum and keeping skin hydrated and strong. But when it drops, like in menopause or perimenopause, relative testosterone rises. This makes glands work overtime, clogging pores and sparking inflammation. Hormone therapy sometimes causes early breakouts for the same reason, until levels even out.[2]
Stress adds fuel through cortisol, another hormone. It hits skin receptors, speeding up oil making, cell shedding, and even feeding acne bacteria like C. acnes. Cyclical changes, such as before your period, often trigger flares because progesterone and androgens peak.[1][3]
Dead skin buildup worsens it too. Hormones disrupt normal shedding, so cells pile up with oil and debris, blocking outlets. Friction, sweat, or picking can make it spread.[1]
These breakouts hit predictably: jawline, chin, or cheeks for hormonal types. They resist typical spot treatments because the root is inside, not just on top.[3]
Sources
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12735603/
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/a69690102/hrt-skin-effects-menopause/
https://glimmergoddess.com/pages/types-of-acne-explained-hormonal-vs-bacterial-vs-fungal-vs-sensitive-skin-acne
https://www.dermatologyadvisor.com/factsheets/diet-and-acne/
https://int.livhospital.com/insightful-how-to-treat-hormonal-acne-acne/
