What is Hormonal Acne and how to prevent and treat them?

It’s an extremely important day today. You have a big presentation at work with an extremely important overseas client. Your boss has put his whole faith in you. If this presentation goes well, there’s a high chance that you could be up for a promotion. You’ve managed to come up with a great strategy, one that you’re sure would seal the deal. You keep going over the presentation in your head. The amount of thought and effort put in by you, as well as being absolutely thorough with the whole presentation has made you 100% confident. You get ready on time, deciding to go over your presentation one last time while looking in the mirror. The presentation that you could even recite in your sleep at this point, never even got started because of what you saw in the mirror.

There’s a big, red, angry breakout on your face. The confidence you had garnered over the past 3 days has now suddenly vanished.

Does this sound familiar to you? Have you also been a victim of having some of your most important moments or days ruined by that giant red cannot-be-hidden-no-matter-how-hard-you-try bump?

Don’t worry! This blog was destined to find you!

Hormonal acne is a very common and even more frustrating problem that affects people of all ages and has a huge impact on their confidence levels. In the following blog, you’ll discover the various causes for it, common symptoms, possible treatments as well as some natural remedies.

Keep reading!

What is Hormonal Acne?

Acne includes pimples, cysts, whiteheads, and blackheads.

Hormonal acne is a skin condition in which the underlying cause for these breakouts is hormonal changes. Hormonal changes lead to excess sebum (oil) production which end up clogging the pores and causing pimples, bacterial growth, and also inflammation, in some cases.

These hormonal changes may be a part of puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or just out of stress.

This type of acne usually appears on the lower part of the face, the jawline, the chin, and around the mouth.

Causes and Symptoms of Hormonal Acne

Cause:

• Hormonal Fluctuations: Changes in the levels of testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen lead to breakouts.

• Increase in the Androgen Levels: A spike in the level of androgen in the body stimulates excess production of sebum (oil) in the body which clogs the pores and leads to breakouts.

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Persistent acne can also be caused by this condition, which is responsible for these frequent hormonal changes.

• Chronic Stress: The oil-producing glands may also be triggered by the release of cortisol which happens when you’re stressed.
  

• Dietary Factors: Consuming foods high in glycemic index, like sugary snacks or processed carbohydrates and dairy products, also leads to hormonal imbalances and thus, hormonal acne.

• Medications: Certain medications like hormonal contraceptives or steroids, containing testosterone, estrogen, and phenytoin also impact the severity of hormonal cystic acne.

• Nutrient Deficiencies: Deficiencies of vital vitamins like D and E and zinc may also be an underlying cause of hormonal acne

Symptoms: 

• Painful Hormonal Cystic Acne: The breakouts caused could be very painful to touch since they happen deep under the skin.

• Persistent Pimples: The hormonal acne may be quite persistent, especially around the chin, jawline, lower face, and back.

• Fluctuations in Severity: Another symptom could be the severity with which the hormonal acne occurs. Keep track of if it gets worse around the menstrual cycle.

• Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: If the acne leaves behind dark spots after it has healed, it might be a case of hormonal acne.

• Increased Oiliness: Since the production of sebum (oil) has increased, you might find the skin to be of a much greasier texture than before.

• Long-Lasting Nodules and Cysts: Hormonal acne causes deeper nodules and cysts that last longer than regular acne.

Types of Hormonal Acne

Hormonal acne is of various types, and identifying them helps in figuring out the correct hormonal acne treatment as well. They are as follows: 

1. Comedonal Acne: This refers to the type of hormonal acne characterized by whiteheads and blackheads that occur when hair follicles become clogged.

2. Papular Acne: The type of hormonal acne that involves small, red, inflamed bumps that might be painful to touch.

3. Pustular Acne: Pimples caused by bacterial infections that are filled with white pus.

4. Nodular Acne: These refer to large and painful bumps that form much deeper under the skin.

5. Hormonal Cystic Acne: This is the most severe form of hormonal acne. It is characterized by cysts that can cause scarring.

Understanding Acne Severity

Acne severity is of mainly 3 types:

• Mild Acne: Mostly involves whiteheads and blackheads and the amount and size of pimples is small.

• Moderate Acne: If the breakouts occur more frequently and the redness and inflammation have increased.

• Severe Acne: This is characterized by deep and painful cysts and nodules. With these (hormonal cystic acne) involved the risk of permanent scarring increases.

There’s a small test you can do yourself at home to determine the severity of your acne. This is called the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS). To determine the severity of your acne you first need to determine the local acne score for each affected area on your body.

Local score = Location factor × Grade of the most severe acne in the location

Location factor:

• Nose = 1

• Chin = 1

• Forehead = 2

• Right cheek = 2

• Left cheek = 2

• Chest and upper back = 3

Grade of the most severe acne in that location:

• Comedone = 1

• Papule = 2

• Pustule = 3

• Nodule = 4

Finally, you get the global score by adding up all the local scores. Check for the global score calculated by you in this list to assess the severity of your hormonal acne-

Mild: 1-18

Moderate: 1930

Severe: 31-38

Very Severe: 39 or more

Hormonal Acne Treatment

Following is a list of the various hormonal acne treatments you could opt for:

1. Over-the-Counter Treatments: 

• Benzoyl Peroxide: This is very effective in killing the bacteria that’s responsible for causing acne.

• Salicylic Acid: Salicylic acid helps to unclog pores and exfoliate dead skin cells.

• Retinoids: Retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A. They help to improve skin cell turnover and prevent pores from being clogged. They are available as gels, lotions, and creams.

2. Oral Contraceptives: Oral contraceptives such as birth control pills can help regulate the hormones in women. When opting for oral contraceptives to treat hormonal acne, make sure to consult your dermatologist. The right contraceptive can only be determined after a thorough analysis of your age, menstrual cycle regularity, medical history, etc.

3. Anti-Androgen Drugs: These help to keep the body from producing excessive androgen and stabilize its levels.

4. Professional Treatments: 

• Chemical Peels: They help to improve acne and reduce pigmentation.

• Laser Therapy: It targets bacteria and reduces inflammation.

5. Antibiotics: They help to reduce bacterial infection and inflammation.

How to treat Hormonal Acne Naturally at Home?

If you prefer natural remedies, the following are the things you could try to treat hormonal acne naturally at home:

• Changes in Your Eating Habits: You must cut down on dairy and high-glycaemic foods. Also, increase the amount of omega-3 fatty acids you consume and drink plenty of water to flush out toxins.

• Herbal Supplements: 

1. Green Tea: Although there’s not much research behind this but green tea does help with reducing acne and inflammation.

2. Zinc Supplements: It reduces inflammation and supports skin healing.

3. Probiotics: They improve gut health, which is linked to skin conditions.

4. Coconut Oil: It has anti-inflammatory properties which help to heal acne and scars on the face. Massage it on the affected areas, leave it for some time, and then rinse it off with lukewarm water.

5. Honey: Honey has antibacterial and soothing properties. Regular application of honey can help prevent the accumulation of oil, thus, preventing hormonal acne.

• Skincare Routine: 

1. Use a gentle and fragrance-free cleanser twice a day.

2. Go for a lightweight, non-comedogenic but hydrating moisturizer.

3. Use sunscreen daily to protect yourself from UV damage and avoid hyperpigmentation.

4. Opt for products containing tea tree oil.

5. Apply small (pea-sized) amounts of any acne product to avoid irritation and skin dryness.

• Stress management: Manage your stress effectively by practicing yoga or meditation and engaging in regular physical activities.

• Get adequate sleep of at least 8 hours on a daily basis.

• Avoid humid environments, which might lead to excessive sweating. Wash your face properly after heavy sweating.

• Avoid touching your face often, especially with uncleaned hands to keep it free from bacteria.

• Don’t rub, pick, or scrape Your pimples to avoid inflammation and scarring.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can hormonal acne be treated forever? 

There’s no such ‘permanent’ cure, but proper skincare and certain lifestyle changes, along with targeted treatments, can help in significantly reducing them.

2. Does hormonal acne only affect women? 

No, it can affect men as well. It just tends to be more common in women.

3. How long does it take for hormonal acne to go away? 

The exact time varies from person to person, but the treatments take anywhere from 8-24 weeks.

4. Which vitamin deficiencies should be focused upon to treat hormonal acne? 

Vitamins like zinc, vitamins A, D, and E, and omega-3 fatty acids should be included in the diet.

Conclusion

Thus, hormonal acne can be frustrating, but with the right approach, it is manageable. Understanding hormonal acne- its causes, symptoms, and the best ways to treat it- empowers you to take charge of your skin. Whether you choose medical treatments, simple lifestyle changes, or natural remedies, consistency is key.

So the next time you’re gearing up for a big moment, let your confidence shine- without worrying about an unexpected breakout stealing the spotlight!

Recommended Products by Blue Nectar:

Plum Oil-Free Face Serum for Acne Marks (8 herbs, 30ml)

Shubhr Neem Face Wash | for Acne Control & Oil Balancing (11 Herbs)

Shubhr Green Tea Face Lotion With Vitamin C & Hyaluronic Acid for Dark Spots & Pigmentation

Turmeric Ubtan Powder for Glowing Skin (9 herbs, 100 gm)

Related Articles:

How to choose the Best Face Serum for Acne Prone Skin?

How are acne caused and the role of good skincare to avoid acne?

How to Get Rid of Acne on Face?

References:

https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/hormonal-acne

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21792-hormonal-acne

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/313084#causes

https://flo.health/menstrual-cycle/health/symptoms-and-diseases/hormonal-acne