# Why Does Skin Break Out During Hormonal Changes
Your skin is incredibly sensitive to what happens inside your body. When your hormones shift, your skin often responds with breakouts. Understanding why this happens can help you manage your skin better during these challenging times.
The main culprit behind hormonal acne is a group of hormones called androgens. These are male hormones that exist in both men and women. When androgen levels rise or become unbalanced compared to estrogen, your skin reacts. Androgens stimulate your sebaceous glands, which are tiny oil-producing structures in your skin. When these glands become overactive, they produce excess sebum, or oil. This extra oil can clog your pores, trapping bacteria and dead skin cells inside. The result is inflammation and the formation of pimples and cysts.
Estrogen plays the opposite role. This hormone actually helps keep androgens in check and reduces oil production. When estrogen levels drop, androgens have more influence over your skin. This imbalance is what creates the perfect environment for breakouts.
Several life events trigger these hormonal shifts. During your menstrual cycle, hormone levels fluctuate dramatically. Many women notice breakouts appearing right before, during, or after their period. Pregnancy causes major hormone surges that can either improve or worsen acne, depending on how your body responds. Menopause brings a significant drop in estrogen, leaving testosterone unopposed. This is why many middle-aged women experience unexpected acne during this life stage.
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a medical condition that causes elevated androgen levels. People with PCOS often struggle with persistent acne because their hormones remain imbalanced over time.
Stress also plays a role in hormonal acne. When you experience stress, your body produces cortisol and other stress hormones. These hormones indirectly increase oil production and trigger inflammation in your skin. This is why breakouts often appear during stressful periods in your life.
The location of hormonal acne is distinctive. Unlike teenage acne that spreads across the forehead and nose, hormonal acne typically clusters along the jawline, chin, lower cheeks, and neck. These breakouts tend to be deeper, more painful, and cyst-like compared to regular pimples. They also heal more slowly and can leave lasting marks if not treated properly.
Several factors can make hormonal acne worse. Poor sleep quality, high sugar and dairy intake, harsh skincare products, and environmental pollution all contribute to more severe breakouts. Your gut health matters too. When your digestive system is not functioning well, it can worsen hormonal acne.
The good news is that hormonal acne can be managed. Topical treatments like retinoids and non-drying antibiotics help reduce breakouts. Some people benefit from androgen-blocking medications like spironolactone, which addresses the hormonal root cause. Lifestyle changes including stress management, better sleep, regular exercise, and staying hydrated support clearer skin. Avoiding heavy makeup and comedogenic skincare products prevents additional pore clogging.
Understanding that your breakouts are connected to your hormones helps you approach treatment with realistic expectations. Hormonal acne can last for weeks to several months depending on what triggers it and how you treat it. Without proper care, it may persist or return repeatedly. Working with a dermatologist to identify your specific triggers and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs gives you the best chance of managing this frustrating skin condition.
Sources
https://www.medicaldaily.com/hormonal-acne-adults-acne-causes-skin-hormones-explained-474128
https://www.drbatras.com/hormonal-acne-what-causes-it-and-how-to-treat-it
https://www.newriverdermatology.com/blog/how-to-manage-hormonal-acne-during-menopause
https://www.westchestercosmeticdermatology.com/blog/adult-acne-why-it-happens-and-how-to-treat-it/
https://www.dermatologyadvisor.com/factsheets/diet-and-acne/
