How Hormonal Shifts Affect Sebum Production
Sebum is the natural oil your skin makes to stay moisturized and protected. Sebaceous glands in your skin produce it, and hormones play a big role in controlling how much is made. When hormones shift, sebum levels can go up or down, leading to oily skin, dry skin, or even acne.
Androgens are male hormones like testosterone that everyone has in their body. They tell sebaceous glands to grow bigger and make more sebum. This extra oil can mix with dead skin cells and clog pores, which often causes acne. Estrogen, a female hormone, works the opposite way. It calms down androgens and keeps sebum production lower for smoother skin.
During different life stages, these shifts happen a lot. In puberty, rising androgens boost sebum and lead to breakouts. For women, the menstrual cycle causes ups and downs each month. Right before a period, androgen levels rise compared to estrogen, so sebum increases and acne might flare up on the chin, jaw, or cheeks.
Pregnancy brings big hormone changes too. Early on, surges can ramp up sebum and cause pimples. After giving birth, drops in hormones might calm things down or sometimes make skin drier. Menopause is another time of change. Estrogen levels fall sharply, letting androgens take over. This can surprisingly increase sebum in some women, leading to adult acne even if their skin was dry before.
Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, raise androgen levels a lot. This keeps sebum high and acne stubborn. Stress adds to it by releasing cortisol, a hormone that indirectly boosts oil production and swelling in the skin.
Progesterone, another female hormone, can mildly increase sebum by acting on sebaceous glands. Some forms used in hormone therapy might make skin oilier or worsen acne if not balanced with estrogen. Testosterone therapy, sometimes used in menopause, also pumps up sebum for thicker skin but can lead to more oil.
Not everyone reacts the same way. Genetics, skin type, and other factors matter. For example, melanin-rich skin might get extra oily from hormone shifts. When sebum gets too high, bacteria like Cutibacterium acnes grow in clogged pores, sparking inflammation and pimples. Too little sebum from low hormones, like in menopause, makes skin dry and weak.
Keeping hormones balanced helps manage sebum. Things like certain birth control pills or anti-androgen meds can lower oil production in hormonal acne cases.
Sources
https://www.medicaldaily.com/hormonal-acne-adults-acne-causes-skin-hormones-explained-474128
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12691598/
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/a69690102/hrt-skin-effects-menopause/
https://news.umiamihealth.org/en/how-to-care-for-your-skin-during-perimenopause-menopause/
https://worldofasaya.com/blogs/skin-types/7-reasons-melanin-rich-skin-gets-extra-oily
