Why Does Acne Appear During Stable Periods
Acne often shows up even when life feels steady because hidden hormone shifts keep triggering it under the skin. These flares happen without obvious changes like stress or diet shifts, catching many people off guard.
Hormones play the biggest role in this puzzle. Androgens, which are male-like hormones everyone has, ramp up oil production in skin pores. When levels fluctuate quietly, pores clog with extra oil, dead skin, and bacteria like Cutibacterium acnes. This mix sparks inflammation and pimples. In women, this ties to cycles where ovarian androgens rise subtly, even outside heavy periods. Free testosterone stays high if proteins that bind it drop, fueling sebum or oil that blocks follicles.[1]
Conditions like PCOS add to the issue during calm times. High insulin from steady eating habits still pushes ovaries to make more testosterone and estrogen. This leads to deep, cystic acne on the jaw, chin, and cheeks. Insulin resistance lingers without big sugar spikes, keeping hormones off balance.[2]
Lifestyle factors sneak in too. Stable days might mean consistent sleep, but poor recovery still stresses hormones. Blood sugar holds even without junk food, yet spikes from irregular meals nudge insulin up. Stress builds quietly from routines, and dehydration thickens skin oils. Cycle tracking reveals these patterns, as breakouts cluster around subtle hormonal dips, not just peak period days.[3]
Treatments target these roots. Hormonal options like birth control pills lower androgens by boosting binding proteins and cutting oil. Anti-androgens calm the drive without full suppression. Lifestyle tweaks support balance: regular nourishing meals, hydration, stress care, and rest help hormones settle naturally.[1][3]
Sources
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12691598/
https://www.allarahealth.com/blog/what-to-eat-for-pcos-acne
https://theribbonbox.com/wellbeing/how-to-fix-hormonal-acne-naturally/
