Skin School: Everything You Need to Know About Hormonal Acne

Nicole Catanese

June 29, 2018 at 1:00 PM

<p>Let's face it: You wouldn't be human if you didn't get a zit from time to time. But if you have the kind of pimples that hurt to touch, look red and inflamed, and just won't go away, chances are, you have hormonal acne. A total bummer, yes, but also treatable with the right products and ingredients. Here, the causes and symptoms of hormonal acne, and more importantly, how to achieve clear skin for good - so you can get right back to your regularly scheduled selfie-ing</p>

<p>Hormonal acne might take the form of a big ol' whitehead smack on the middle of your cheek, clusters of blackheads all over, or a flaming red zit, but the cause is the same: too much oil lurking in pores. And while other factors can spark breakouts (say, bacteria and sticky skin cells from caking on makeup or not washing your face post-workout), there is only one thing that increases oil, and that is hormones, explains <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://nealschultzmd.com/" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Neal Schultz;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Neal Schultz</a>, MD, a dermatologist in New York City and founder of Beauty Rx skincare.</p>

<p>Why is hormonal acne kind of a nightmare? Breakouts are redder and often deeper than classic zits, which makes them difficult to treat. People who are prone to hormonal acne have an enzyme in their oil that causes mayhem in pores, increasing inflammation, puss, and, likely, those deep, red mounds that are painful and impossible to pop (not that you should be trying!), says Dr. Schultz.</p>

<p>Your period, birth control pills with high levels of hormones, stress, skimping on sleep, or even changing time zones can mess with your hormones - and your skin. “If you are someone who is prone to hormonal acne, anything that alters levels of specific hormones or changes them altogether is going to affect your skin,” says Dr. Schultz. That’s because stress, along with hormonal fluctuations, sends a signal to your adrenal gland to produce the hormone cortisol. Every time your body releases cortisol, it comes with a bit of the male hormone testosterone, and this combo leads to a surge in oil production. And then, you guessed it - next thing you know, you have hormonal acne.</p>

<p>While experts are always saying you should keep your hands off your face all the time, especially when it comes to popping pimples, we know that’s often easier said than done. But it's seriously important with hormonal acne. Here’s why: “Hormonal acne spots are deeper within the skin, so you will likely push harder thinking you can make it pop,” says Dr. Schultz. But you probably won't get the puss to the surface, and you're much more apt to send inflammation and redness skyrocketing, making the bump a thousand times worse. “While you might not get a scar, you could cause enough damage to increase post-inflammatory pigment and a post-acne mark,” he says. Plus, the area can become even redder and more inflamed, making it harder to get rid of.</p>

<p>Keeping pores unclogged is a crucial step to having a clear complexion. That's why chemical exfoliators - such as salicylic, glycolic, and lactic acids, as well as derivatives of vitamin A (like Rx retinoids and over-the-counter retinol) - are heavy-hitters in the fight against acne. Dr. Schultz always puts his clients on a glycolic acid regimen (starting at around eight percent, which is gentle enough for daily use), because the exfoliator also has oil-reducing qualities. “It removes the sticky cells that cause clogging, which is part of the pimple, but by doing so, it also helps heal existing pimples faster and prevent new ones from forming,” he says.</p>

<p>“Oral antibiotics cut off the oil supply while also stopping the bacteria that can lead to acne,” explains Dr. Schultz. Ask your derm if an oral antibiotic is a good choice for you (and keep in mind that long-term antibiotic use can have serious side effects). Users tend to see their skin clear up in a week or two, and once bacteria and oil levels are in check, you may be able to keep up the in-the-clear results with just a topical skincare routine.</p><p>One more Rx your derm should know about: If you’re currently on some form of the Pill, your doctor will want to know if it's high in estrogen (the female hormone that is good for skin and will help lessen acne) or testosterone (the male hormone that could be exacerbating your acne). A birth control switch might be the ticket to clearer skin.</p>

Let's face it: You wouldn't be human if you didn't get a zit from time to time. But if you have the kind of pimples that hurt to touch, look red and inflamed, and just won't go away, chances are, you have hormonal acne. A total bummer, yes, but also treatable with the right products and ingredients. Here, the causes and symptoms of hormonal acne, and more importantly, how to achieve clear skin for good - so you can get right back to your regularly scheduled selfie-ing

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And how to kick it for good.

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Skin School: Everything You Need to Know About Hormonal Acne

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