If you’re reading this, it’s because you’ve decided that the birth control pill, Accutane/Roaccutane, antibiotics and topicals aren’t the long-term solution to your hormonal acne problems.
While conventional medical treatments usually do clear up hormonal acne, they’re just Band-Aid treatments because they don’t actually treat its underlying cause.
So, fixing hormonal acne becomes a frustrating ongoing challenge until you understand its root causes. Then, you unlock the secret to picture-perfect, clear, glowing skin.
No more need to hide away… no more need to cover up with makeup… no more need to feel self-conscious.
So, if you’re struggling with persistent breakouts or seeking lasting results, this guide will give you actionable insights to support your hormonal acne journey.
Now, let’s examine hormonal acne in depth, explore its root causes, and outline natural solutions for prevention and treatment.
What is Hormonal Acne?
Hormonal acne is a type of acne driven by fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly androgens like testosterone. These hormones can increase sebum (oil) production and cause skin cells to shed excessively, clogging pores and leading to breakouts.
It’s common in young women aged 16 – 30, although in our clinic, we do see many women in their 30’s with hormonal acne, too.
It typically appears along the jawline, chin, lower cheeks, shoulder, back and chest and is common during hormonal shifts such as puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or stopping birth control.
Unlike standard acne, it’s often linked to internal imbalances rather than external factors like bacteria.
Fixing hormonal acne to achieve a sustainable result requires identifying the root causes, such as hormonal imbalances, stress, diet, and gut issues. This is followed by implementing a herb and supplement program and making lifestyle and dietary modifications to restore hormone balance.
The hormonal changes that cause acne are often the result of excess androgen production (male hormones like testosterone), stress hormones like cortisol and DHEA, and the insufficient production of female hormones like oestrogen and progesterone.
When hormone levels are too high or too low, they impact sebum (oil) production, skin cell turnover, and inflammation. When these become dysregulated, acne results.
The key characteristics of hormonal acne are:
- Its location on the body
- The time of the menstrual cycle when it flares up
- The types of pimples formed
- The triggers that cause it to flare up
- Its recurrence after stopping standard medical treatments like the birth control pill, antibiotics and Isotretinoin
How Hormonal Acne Differs from Other Types of Acne
Hormonal acne is driven by hormone imbalances, particularly high androgens (male hormones like testosterone and DHEA) and suppressed female hormones (oestrogen and progesterone).
Elevated androgens trigger excess oil production, leading to pimples that range from whiteheads to deep, painful cysts. Then there’s the common issue of low progesterone and oestrogen that fail to counterbalance male hormone activity and trigger a situation that mimics high androgens.
Hormonal acne commonly appears along the jawline, chin, and lower cheeks and flares up in sync with menstrual cycles. It occurs most commonly in the days and weeks before a period, and flareups can also occur mid-cycle or be constant.
Unlike bacterial or fungal acne, hormonal acne stems from excess oil production, inflammation, and impaired hormone detoxification.
And because of this, medications like Accutane and the birth control pill only mask the issue. Accutane shuts down oil production, and the pill artificially boosts female hormones. However, once they’re stopped, acne often returns, sometimes worse than before.
Despite what a lot of people might think, hormonal acne doesn’t just occur in teenagers. Because of shifting hormone levels, in women acne can occur at a range of ages.
For most women, puberty-driven androgen surges in their teenage years are when their acne starts. But we also see many women who don’t experience any acne until they hit their 20s-30s due to menstrual cycle dysfunction, birth control use, and stress.
Genetics can also be a driver of hormonal acne by influencing how sensitive your body is to androgens, how much oil you produce, and how effectively you detoxify hormones.
Some people inherit heightened male hormone receptor activity, making their skin more reactive to testosterone. So your testosterone levels can be normal, but your cells react as if your levels are high!
Many people misunderstand hormonal acne by thinking that pimple breakouts only occur before a period. Many of our patients’ acne flares up constantly or randomly, but this doesn’t mean it’s not hormonal. Although it’s common for hormonal acne to flare up before a period, it’s not obligatory.
Causes of Hormonal Acne
There are several causes of hormonal acne, but in summary, it is triggered by the body producing either too much or too little of the reproductive hormones oestrogen/estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
Imbalances in these hormones become a problem because they cause the pores in your skin to become larger and secrete more oil (sebum). And as you know, too much oil clogs your pores and creates pimples.
Here are the most common hormone imbalances that cause hormonal acne…
High Androgens
If you have hormonal acne or PCOS, you might have come across the term ‘Androgens’ but not know what it means. Androgens are male sex hormones.
The most well-known one is testosterone, but others are Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Androstenedione.
Women should only have small amounts of androgens, but when a woman produces too much of them, it has devastating consequences for your skin.
Androgens cause skin pores to get larger and secrete more oil (sebum), and this makes your skin ‘teenage boy’ like… oily with big angry cystic pimples on your face and sometimes hormonal acne on your body too, like on your chest, shoulders or back.
High androgen levels can also cause the hair on your arms and legs to grow thicker. They can also trigger hair to grow in places where it shouldn’t, like on your face and belly. And if that’s not bad enough, high androgens can also cause the hair on your head to shed excessively, making it thin.
Now, there are many reasons why your body might start producing too many androgens, but the three most common are…
Oral contraceptive pill and implant
Some synthetic progesterones used in hormonal birth control are very similar in structure to testosterone. These synthetic progesterones then overstimulate testosterone receptors in your cells and cause your cells to act as if you have too much testosterone. This then causes oil production in your skin to ramp up.
The flip side to this is other synthetic progesterones and oestrogens will suppress androgens while you are on hormonal birth control. But then, when you stop, you get a rebound in androgen production, and your levels shoot up, triggering excess oil production.
Then, to top this all off, hormonal birth control can also make your cells insulin-resistant, causing your body to produce excessive amounts of insulin. Excess insulin causes your ovaries to overproduce testosterone. And again this causes skin oil production to shoot up.
Hormonal imbalances in your mother
Some women have high androgens without ever being on hormonal birth control or having high insulin levels. It is suspected that the reason for high androgens in these women is because of a hormone imbalance in their mothers during pregnancy. This imbalance then flows over to an androgen imbalance in the daughter.
You produce too much of the blood sugar-controlling hormone insulin
This happens if you eat too much sugary food or high carbohydrate food like breakfast cereals, breads, pasta, rice, cookies and fast food. Excessive amounts of insulin in your body trigger your ovaries to produce excessive amounts of androgens, particularly testosterone. This fact is why you commonly read about how cutting sugar out of your diet or going Keto/low carb helps hormonal acne.
Low Progesterone
Progesterone is super important for clear skin because it reduces pore size and sebum (oil) production. The synthetic progesterones in the birth control pill clear up acne because they shrink pores (down to that of a child) and suppress oil production. But of course, once you stop taking them, it causes a rebound effect, and your oil production goes crazy.
Your progesterone levels can also become low because of stress. Stress signals to your brain that now is not a good time to have a baby, so it turns down progesterone production to prevent you from being able to carry a pregnancy. If you get PMS, breast tenderness, period pain or heavy periods, then these are common signs your progesterone levels are low.
Low Oestrogen/Estrogen
Oestrogen is super important for clear skin because it heals your skin and improves its texture. The synthetic oestrogen in the birth control pill clears up acne because it heals your skin and also stops male sex hormones exerting a strong oil-producing effect. However, as with progesterone, once you stop birth control, you lose its positive effect, and oil production goes crazy.
Your oestrogen can also get low because of stress. Stress signals to your brain that ‘now’ is not a good time to have a baby, so oestrogen production is suppressed. This is why stressed women have trouble falling pregnant but then fall pregnant when they go on a holiday. Stress effects can also be a reason for a period stopping.
Life Stages That Trigger Hormonal Acne
Puberty
During puberty, surging androgens like testosterone overstimulate oil glands, leading to clogged pores and acne. Stress from school and social media further spikes cortisol, which worsens oil production and inflammation. Modern diets high in sugar, dairy, and refined carbs trigger insulin surges, driving excess androgen production and exacerbating breakouts. Additionally, many teens take antibiotics for acne, disrupting the gut microbiome, weakening digestion, and impairing hormone detoxification—further fueling acne. A natural approach that balances hormones supports gut health and stabilises blood sugar can break this cycle and lead to long-term clear skin without reliance on medications.
Menstrual Cycle
Hormonal acne fluctuates with the menstrual cycle due to shifts in oestrogen, progesterone, and androgens. Stress from social media, work, study, and relationships spikes cortisol, which suppresses progesterone and worsens breakouts. Modern diets high in sugar, dairy, and refined carbs drive insulin spikes, increasing androgen levels and excess oil production.
Undereating stresses the body, reducing progesterone and worsening acne.
The birth control pill shuts down natural hormone production, damages the gut microbiome, and depletes essential nutrients, often leading to post-pill acne. Hormone-disrupting chemicals in plastics, cosmetics, and body care products further interfere with detoxification, triggering persistent hormonal breakouts.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy hormones, especially progesterone and androgens, increase oil production, leading to breakouts. Stress, blood sugar spikes, and gut changes during pregnancy also disrupt hormone balance. Pregnancy also reduces the options available for treatment because many herbs have potentially unsafe or unknown effects on foetal development.
Menopause
It’s not something that we see often, but menopause can cause acne breakouts, too. As oestrogen and progesterone levels fall, androgens are able to dominate, which increases oil production and breakouts.
Stress, poor gut health, and insulin resistance at this time of life also worsen hormone imbalances that can cause acne.
PCOS and Its Link to Acne
PCOS and hormonal acne share similar root causes, such as insulin resistance, stress, gut imbalances, and inflammation. High insulin triggers excessive androgen output and increases oil production, which clogs pores and causes breakouts.
Chronic stress disrupts hormone balance by elevating the stress and androgen hormone DHEA, while poor gut health impairs detoxification.
Addressing these factors with diet, lifestyle changes, and herbal support helps clear both PCOS and acne naturally.
Stress and Cortisol: How Stress Worsens Acne
Chronic stress elevates the stress hormone cortisol. High cortisol suppresses female hormones and allows androgens to overstimulate oil glands.
Cortisol also raises blood sugar and insulin levels, which triggers the production of excess testosterone. Lastly, stress weakens digestion and impairs hormone detoxification.
The Role of Diet (Dairy, Sugar, High Glycaemic Foods)
Dairy, sugar, and high-glycaemic foods trigger hormonal acne by disrupting insulin and androgen balance. Dairy contains natural growth hormones and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which overstimulate oil glands and clog pores.
Sugar and refined carbs spike insulin, increasing testosterone production and leading to excess sebum and breakouts. These foods also cause inflammation, making acne more persistent and severe.
Additionally, blood sugar fluctuations stress the body, raising cortisol, which further disrupts hormones.
Removing dairy, processed sugar, and high-glycaemic foods helps stabilise insulin, balance hormones, and reduce inflammation. This can lead to clearer skin and long-term acne control without harsh medications.
Medications and Hormonal Acne
Two medications can both treat and cause hormonal acne: the birth control pill and antibiotics.
The pill shuts down natural hormone production while you’re on it, and then once you stop, the hormone suppression often lingers, leading to post-pill acne.
Antibiotics are well known to disrupt gut bacteria. This can then affect hormone detoxification, leading to hormone imbalances that cause acne.
The problem with medications is they only mask symptoms rather than addressing root causes.
Environmental Triggers and Lifestyle Factors
There are a number of environmental and lifestyle triggers of hormonal acne. These include:
- Stress, which raises cortisol and suppresses female hormone production
- Poor gut health that leads to impaired hormone detox
- Exposure to plastics and toxins that disrupt hormone balance
- Inflammatory diets high in sugar, dairy, and gluten trigger the overproduction of androgens and increased sensitivity to androgens
- Stopping the birth control pill, which causes testosterone surges and suppressed female hormones
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Hormonal Acne
Discuss how knowing the symptoms can be the first step towards treatment and explain what it takes to be diagnosed.
Understanding the signs and symptoms of hormonal acne is your first step towards clear, acne-free skin.
Physical Signs
Pimples that are cystic and nodular are the classic signs of hormonal acne. However, you don’t have to have cysts and nodules for your acne to be hormonal. Regular whiteheads can also be a sign that your acne is hormonal.
Inflamed red pimples are another sign that acne is hormonal. Hormone imbalances tend to make for angry pimples.
Overly oily skin is a good sign. Androgens exert too strong an effect on your skin, which is also a sign that your acne is hormonal. Surprisingly, many of our patients don’t have oily skin, even though their acne is hormonal.
Because hormonal acne doesn’t follow a strict physical presentation, it’s important to get your hormones tested to truly know.
Common Patterns
The typical hormonal acne pattern involves oil production driven by androgens, which causes acne to appear along the jawline, chin, and lower cheeks. However, hormonal acne can also flare up on the neck, shoulders, and back.
The other typical pattern is your acne worsens leading up to your period. However, acne flareups mid-cycle are also quite common. But we have many patients whose acne is the same all the time.
This variation is why hormone testing is so important.
Self-Assessment Guide: Is It Hormonal Acne?
What is involved in a self-assessment? How can a person tell if it’s hormonal acne?
If you answer yes to any of the following statements, then it’s most likely you have hormonal acne –
- Your acne started at puberty
- Your acne is cystic, red, inflamed and angry
- Your acne is along your jawline, chin, cheeks, neck, shoulders, chest, or back
- Your acne flares up at a particular time of your menstrual cycle
- Your acne improved if you’ve used the birth control pill
How Experts Diagnose Hormonal Acne
Hormone Tests (Androgen Levels, Blood Work)
We’re big advocates of the saying, “Test, don’t guess.” Only by testing your hormones can anyone really know if your acne is hormonal. Hormone testing is particularly important for natural treatments because the test results help pinpoint what specific herbs and supplements will be needed.
With medical treatments, the need to test your hormones is often dismissed because your results don’t determine the treatment option. The preference of the doctor determines it and will either be antibiotics, the birth control pill or Accutane/Roaccutane.
There are 3 types of hormone tests we get our patients to do to assess their hormone levels –
Blood Testing
This is to measure testosterone, DHEAS, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and progesterone. Because women’s hormones fluctuate, it’s important to measure them at specific times in the menstrual cycle.
Testosterone, LH, FSH, and DHEAS should be tested on days 2–4 of the menstrual cycle, while progesterone is best tested 5–7 days before the next period.
Saliva Hormone Testing
This is the most common test we ask our patients to undergo because it measures active or “free” hormones, providing a more accurate picture of the hormone levels in the skin.
The hormones tested include cortisol, DHEAS, testosterone, oestrogen, and progesterone. To get the most accurate hormone picture, saliva testing is done 5–7 days before the next period.
Urine Hormone Testing
It is the most comprehensive assessment of hormone levels because it measures hormone levels and detoxification. We use it for patients with complex hormonal issues. As with saliva hormone testing,, it is done 5-7 days before a period.
By testing hormone levels and doing so at the right times, it’s possible to pinpoint what specific hormone imbalances are driving your acne.
Then, armed with this knowledge, a targeted, personalised natural treatment plan can be created to restore your balance so you can finally have picture-perfect skin.
Associated Conditions (e.g., Hirsutism, Irregular Periods)
Hormonal acne can be just one sign of a hormone imbalance. Other conditions that can be linked to the same hormone imbalance causing acne are –
- Hirsutism – excessive hair growth such as dark coarse hair that springs up on the chin, jaw, neck, nipples, chest or navel
- Irregular periods
- PCOS
- Painful periods
- Heavy or light periods
- Premenstrual breast tenderness, fluid retention, moodiness, sadness, cravings
Natural acne treatments are wonderful because they help eliminate acne and address other hormone imbalance-related issues.
Treatment Options for Hormonal Acne
Encourage the reader that there are many treatment options available and help is out there
When it comes to hormonal acne, there are so many treatment options it can leave your head spinning, and no doubt you’ve already tried your fair share of them. So here’s our take on the most common options.
a. Over-the-counter and Topical Treatments
Over-the-counter acne treatments have their place, but they won’t fix the root cause. However, they can definitely help your skin look clearer.
A cautionary note: people with sensitive or very inflamed skin can find topicals with ‘actives’ that can make their skin worse.
Salicylic Acid: unclogs pores, reduces inflammation, controls oil, and prevents breakouts
Retinoids: speed cell turnover, unclog pores, and reduce inflammation, helping hormonal acne but not hormone imbalances. They can cause purging, and we’ve seen many patients with acne react badly to retinoids
Benzoyl Peroxide: Dries the skin out and kills acne-causing bacteria, so sometimes it can help reduce acne redness and number. However, it is very harsh, and it doesn’t fix the underlying hormone imbalance
Niacinamide: reduces inflammation, regulates oil, strengthens the skin barrier, and soothes hormonal acne breakouts
b. Oral Medications
Medications are usually very effective at eliminating hormonal acne, but the issue with all of them is they don’t provide a sustainable solution. They work while you take them, but once you stop, the underlying hormone imbalance causes acne to return.
Birth Control Pills
Combination pills are used most commonly for acne, but some women may be on a progesterone-only pill for contraception. There is a paradoxical issue with birth control pills.
On the one hand, they boost female hormone levels, but then on the other, synthetic progesterone has androgenic effects. This is because synthetic progesterone is made from testosterone.
While the birth control pill does sort of have hormone-balancing effects, the problem with it is it only lasts while you take it. Then, once you stop it, you can be left with a worse hormone imbalance than before.
Spironolactone
Spironolactone is sometimes used for hormonal acne because it blocks androgen receptors and inhibits testosterone, converting to its stronger form, DHT. This decreases sebum production, reducing clogged pores and breakouts caused by excess male hormones.
However, just as with other medications, it stops working once you stop taking it.
Isotretinoin (Accutane & Roaccutane)
Isotretinoin reduces hormonal acne by shrinking sebaceous glands, drastically lowering oil production, and preventing clogged pores.
It also has anti-inflammatory properties, but it doesn’t balance hormones, so acne often returns 3 to 12 months after stopping treatment.
c. Natural and Alternative Remedies
Unlike the medical approach which is to just shut things down, the natural approach is holistic and works to rebalance hormone production at various levels so that the result is sustained.
Diet and Hormonal Acne
What to eat
- Leafy greens & cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cauliflower) – support liver detox and hormone balance
- Turmeric – powerful anti-inflammatory to reduce acne-related swelling
- Flaxseeds & pumpkin seeds – help regulate oestrogen and testosterone levels
- Wild-caught salmon & avocado – rich in omega-3s and healthy fats to support hormone production
- Free range chicken/turkey/pork/eggs & grass-fed beef/lamb – high in protein and zinc to support optimal insulin levels
- Probiotic-rich foods (kimchi, sauerkraut) – improve gut health and hormone metabolism
What to avoid
- Dairy – increases testosterone and IGF-1, triggering breakouts
- Refined sugar & processed foods – spike insulin and worsen hormone imbalances
- Gluten grains (wheat, spelt, rye, barley) – promote inflammation and gut issues
- Soy – disrupts oestrogen balance
- Vegetable oils – cause inflammation and oxidative stress, aggravating acne
Herbal Supplements
Zinc
Zinc is essential for optimal ovary function, but most importantly, it is a potent anti-androgen. That means it makes your cells less sensitive to androgens and helps your body eliminate them.
Vitex/Chaste Tree
This herb helps clear hormonal acne by indirectly raising your progesterone levels. Vitex works on your pituitary gland and suppresses the release of a hormone called prolactin.
Stress causes your pituitary gland to release extra prolactin which in turn suppresses progesterone production. Less progesterone means more oil and more acne. So, Vitex prevents this from happening.
Saw Palmetto
This herb stops testosterone from exerting a strong effect on your cells. The weaker the effect of testosterone, the less oil your skin produces and the less acne you have.
Licorice & Paeony – these two herbs in combination, help suppress androgen (testosterone) production in women. Plus, this combination also makes your cells less sensitive to androgens, making it perfect for shutting down the excess oil caused by androgens and clearing up your hormonal acne.
DIM (Diindolylmethane)
This is actually a specific nutrient extracted from cruciferous vegetables like broccoli. It’s great for hormonal acne because DIM makes your cells less sensitive to androgens and helps your body eliminate excess hormones.
Magnesium
Magnesium is the number one mineral for insulin problems, such as insulin resistance. Keeping insulin levels low prevents the body from stimulating the ovaries to produce excess testosterone.
Essential Oils
Tea Tree Oil
It kills acne-causing bacteria, reducing breakouts and preventing new pimples from forming. It soothes the redness, swelling, and irritation associated with acne and helps regulate sebum production, preventing clogged pores and excess oiliness.
Aloe Vera
It calms redness, swelling, and irritation, reducing the severity of acne. It Moisturises without clogging pores, helping to repair the skin barrier. It speeds up wound healing, reducing acne scars and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
d. Professional Treatments
Many of our patients find that combining skin therapy treatments with our natural acne treatments helps them get their skin looking clearer and faster. This is because internal hormone rebalancing takes time.
Certain skin therapy treatments are best at different stages of the acne journey.
Chemical peels can be great for acne-prone skin because they exfoliate dead skin, unclog pores, reduce oil, fade scars, and promote clearer, smoother skin. These work well during the acne elimination and healing stages.
Laser therapy and micro-needling are great for hormonal acne scars because they break down scar tissue and allow new smooth skin to form. We recommend these treatments in the final stages of treatment after your acne has been eliminated.
Extraction and dermatological procedures like micro-dermabrasion help exfoliate dead skin, unclog pores, reduce oil, fade scars, and promote clearer, smoother skin. These work well during the acne elimination and healing stages.
e. Emerging Treatments
Hormone therapy and Clascoterone Cream are new medical treatments on the block, but as with traditional medications, they only work while you use them.
Probiotic skincare is slowly making its way into the mainstream. Just like the gut, your skin has a microbiome of good and bad bacteria, and if this microbiome becomes disrupted, acne can result. As with all skincare, it won’t fix hormonal imbalances, but fixing the skin microbiome is integral to clear, glowing skin.
These products are in their early days, so results may be inconsistent.
Gut health is on everyone’s mind now, and it can be a crucial factor that you may need to address. This is because your gut bacteria regulate hormone metabolism, inflammation, nutrient absorption, and toxin elimination. These are key factors for balancing hormones and preventing acne.
We are increasingly testing our patients ‘ microbiomes and hormones to optimise both systems.
Hormonal Acne Prevention and Maintenance
Skincare Routines for Hormonal Acne
A good skincare routine is key to preventing hormonal acne and maintaining a clear, glowing complexion.
This is because cleansing eliminates excess oil, bacteria, and impurities, preventing clogged pores. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, promoting renewal and reducing breakouts. Moisturising hydrates balances oil production and strengthens the skin barrier to prevent irritation and acne.
When it comes to skincare, the feedback we get from our patients is that simple is best and fewer products work better than more.
Diet and Lifestyle
Eat
Leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cauliflower); turmeric; flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds; wild-caught salmon and avocado for healthy fats like omega 3s; probiotic-rich foods (kimchi, sauerkraut).
Avoid
Dairy, refined sugar and processed foods that spike insulin; gluten because it causes inflammation; soy can disrupt hormone balance; and vegetable oils like canola, peanut and safflower.
Stay hydrated
Staying well hydrated by drinking 8 to 12 glasses of filtered water a day maintains skin elasticity, balances oil production, flushes toxins, supports healing, and strengthens the skin barrier to prevent acne breakouts.
Why you need enough sleep
Sleep regulates both stress and reproductive hormones, reduces inflammation, supports skin repair, lowers stress, boosts immunity, enhances overall skin health, and prevents acne breakouts.
You should aim to get at least 7 hours of quality sleep a night, but 8 to 9 is best.
Stress Management
Meditation, yoga, and breathwork are important parts of a holistic approach to acne treatment. They lower cortisol, reducing stress-related hormone imbalances that trigger acne. They also improve circulation, support detoxification, and balance the nervous system for healthier skin.
Here are 3 simple relaxation techniques we use with our patients:
- Box breathing – Lowers stress and regulates cortisol
- Yin yoga – A slow form of yoga that relieves tension and calms the body
- Guided meditations – Calms the nervous system, reduces anxiety and promotes relaxation
Regular Checkups
Keeping track of your progress is super important for achieving a sustainable result. Your hormone levels are going to change over time, which we want them to, so to keep on top of issues, regular checkups are a must.
Regular consultations allow us to track your progress, adjust your treatment if needed, identify triggers and get in front of any potential new issues.
When to Consult a Dermatologist
As you may have already experienced, consulting with a dermatologist probably didn’t help much. This is because the only treatments in their toolkit are the ones you don’t want to use or have already used, such as the birth control pill, Accutane/Roaccutane, antibiotics, and creams.
This is not to say that you shouldn’t see a dermatologist, but don’t be surprised when they only offer you the options just mentioned and give you a blank look if you ask about natural options.
Avoiding Common Triggers
It is important to avoid comedogenic products, excessively touching your face and maintaining poor makeup hygiene.
However, by the time we first talk with our patients, they are usually all over these issues. We’ve discovered that most of the women we work with have already cleaned up their skincare, broken their habit of touching their face and have the healthiest skin hygiene imaginable.
The thing that needs to be corrected is their hormones.
Hormonal Acne in Adults vs. Teenagers
a. Hormonal Acne in Teenagers
Puberty is a time of hormonal change and hormone surges, so in many ways, it’s surprising that many teenagers experience acne.
In young teens, the most common triggers, besides hormone surges, are dairy, sugar, high-carb foods and poor skin hygiene.
So, the first place to start with young teens is to clean up their diet and help them develop a good skin-cleansing routine. Then, if their acne persists, then it’s time to test their hormones and get them on a natural acne treatment of herbs and nutrients.
Putting them on birth control is the last resort because it shuts down the development of their menstrual cycle and may lead to cycle and fertility issues down the track.
Our experience with older teens is that they already understand the importance of a healthy diet and so have already made the required changes. Their skincare routines are usually first-rate, too.
So, the way to treat acne in older teens is to get their hormones tested and then start on a personalised herb and supplement regime.
b. Hormonal Acne in Adults
Once a woman goes through puberty, they can develop hormone imbalances at any age. For this reason, they can develop acne at any age. All it takes is for their male and female hormone levels to get out of balance with each other and ‘hey presto’, acne.
Many of our patients developed acne in their 20s rather than in their teens. This can be due to stress causing a hormone imbalance or them coming off the birth control pill.
But too much stress and stopping the pill can also be common situations for women in their 30s and 40s and can lead to unexpected acne.
Pregnancy often helps clear up acne, but for some women, it can be the start of their acne. This is because a woman’s hormones are elevated during pregnancy. The tricky part of treating pregnancy acne is that some herbs and supplements aren’t safe to use during pregnancy.
However, the good news is that there are still options, and we have helped many pregnant and breastfeeding women with their acne.
Long-Term Effects
Acne scarring is one of the all-too-common lingering effects of hane. However, there are some very simple ways to minimise scarring and fix it if it occurs.
Our favourite anti-scarring remedy is rosehip oilItil prevents scar tissue from forming and allows normal skin healing to occur. The secret is to apply it immediately after a pimple burs and continue it until the pimple has healed.
Rosehip oil won’t take away old scars.
For old scars, you need to use a skin resurfacing treatment like micro-needling or laser. These treatments break down scar tissue and allow the skin to heal without scarring.
Our advice about these two treatments is not to use them until your hormones are balanced and you’re not getting any new pimples that may leave a scar.
Emotional and Psychological Impact
We work with hundreds of women with acne every year, and one thing we appreciate fully is the emotional and psychological impact acne has on their self-image and confidence.
When we speak with new patients, they regularly tell us how big of an impact their acne has on them. They tell us about avoiding social occasions, feeling judged, feeling afraid to go out without makeup,p and endlessly looking for solutions.
So, it always brings a smile to our faces when patients tell us they now feel confident going out in public without makeup. They start getting comments from friends and family about how good their skin looks, and they are not always thinking about their skin.
Case Studies or Testimonials
I was convinced that long-lasting results were a myth no matter what I tried. Going back on the pill wasn’t an option, as surely that was the cause of all this in the first place?? It was then, by chance, that I came across Happy & Healthy Wellbeing. Their page on hormonal acne resonated so deeply that I felt that familiar surge of hope. At the same time, I was sceptical; after all, I’d tried everything… how was this going to be any different?
Based on the results from the tests, I was prescribed a natural hormone re-balancing program, and after just 4 weeks of my daily ‘elixir’ and supplements, I started seeing a noticeable difference. The existing spots dried up and healed without any additional creams, and what used to be deep cystic-type acne started looking like tiny, unnoticeable little bumps under the skin. My mood swings significantly reduced, and altogether, I started to feel ‘normal’. I am now 8 weeks in, and I actually get complimented on my skin (WHAT?!)
Holly Guy
My skin is the best it’s ever been! It’s given me so much confidence to walk out of the house without makeup on, and allowed me to live in the moment instead of being in my head about people seeing my skin. I’ve since come off the herbs but continue to eat whole foods, drink my water, and take a moment for myself each day to breathe.
Scarlett Hamblin
After my first consultation with Hayden, I finally felt like someone was taking me seriously. Someone actually cared and wanted to find the root cause of my acne, not just prescribe me a pill and send me on my way. After numerous appointments with Hayden and completing a variety of in-depth tests that examined my hormones, cortisol levels, adrenals and more, I sat in the car and cried of happiness.
Finally, someone had pinpointed specific issues with my hormone levels and felt the confidence to treat me. I was prescribed a specialised mix of custom made herbs, along with hormonal support supplements. After 4 months of this simple regiment, I couldn’t believe what was happening! My period came back and became more regular and most importantly (for me at the time) my skin cleared up! Hayden was always re-assessing me and taking the time and care to ensure my regime was appropriate for my stage of life and hormonal concerns.
I could go on and on discussion the multiple health issues or concerns Hayden has helped me overcome, but this would become an essay. I have now been seeing Hayden for over ten years and honestly do not know where I would be with without him and his specialised guidance.
I now have clear skin, regular periods a happy and healthy toddler and most importantly, my happiness and confidence back!
Sarah Tilse (Stevenson) from Sarah’s Day
My physio recommended Happy & Healthy Wellbeing Centre and I was skeptical at first because I feel like I’ve tried everything, whatever medicine or topical cream / skincare product you can think of, I’ve done it and nothing works. It basically feels like my puberty started and never ended.
I was close to giving up and then I found these guys.
I have been struggling with acne since I was 15 yrs old and whenever I’ve explained my situation to medical professionals, they’ve brushed it off or just suggested I go on the pill (which is risky for women 30+).
I felt heard and seen and safe. They were patient and kind. I’ve been on natural supplements for roughly 2.5 months and we’ve also worked on slightly changing my routine / lifestyle and diet (no crazy changes, just some adjustments here and there) and I’ve noticed a huge difference with my skin, my sleeping patterns and my overall mood.
I still have pigmentation and scarring (as you would expect from someone with years of acne) but I am finally comfortable enough to walk around without make up.
We’ve still got work to do but I feel confident we’re on the right track.
If you have tried everything and you’re feeling disillusioned, I recommend you see them. These things take a little time, but they work and THEY ARE NATURAL!
Cecilia Montoya
Final Say
Now, if you’ve had enough Band-Aid treatments that only work while you use them, it’s time to discover what hormone imbalances are causing your hormonal acne. It’s time to fix the root cause rather than just mask the symptoms so you can have sustainably clear, glowing, picture-perfect skin.
To get our help, it’s easy. All you need to do is book an initial consultation so we can thoroughly assess:
- Your current acne and hormone problems
- Your diet and exercise habits
- Your previous medical and lifestyle history
Then, we can determine what specific type of hormone test you need to do (saliva or urine) and pinpoint, with laser-like accuracy, the hormonal imbalances causing your hormonal acne.
To book your Hormonal Acne Assessment Consultation, call Happy & Healthy Wellbeing Centre now at (+61) 2 9524 2471 or click here to book online.
If you are not local, that’s okay because we do online consultations via Zoom, too.
