Spots and breakouts. You may have thought that you'd left those pesky pimples behind in your teenage years... but here you are staring at a weird blemish in the mirror - when you least expected it.
Alas, hormonal acne can hit at any age range. Here's the lowdown on what it is and how you can ameliorate your skincare routine to cope with the unexpected.
Hormonal acne is exactly what it sounds like – it’s acne that occurs due to fluctuations in your hormones. Although men and women can both be affected by acne, hormonal acne is more common in women, because of factors such as menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, which bring surges in hormone levels. While hormonal acne is often associated with fluctuating hormones during teenage years, it’s actually most like to strike in your 20s, when women are most hormonally active. You might be surprised to know that over 90% of the world’s population will suffer from acne at some point in their life, making it one of the most common disorders treated by healthcare providers. It's also a topic which generates a surprising amount of social media interest - you only have to look at the success of Dr. Sandra Lee (aka Dr. Pimple Popper) to realise that the world of breakouts can affect anyone at any walk of life.
Aside from the physical symptoms of acne, this skin disorder can also have an emotional and psychological impact too. Studies have shown that acne can affect a person’s mood, self-esteem, and quality of life. In fact, 95% percent of individuals with acne in the UK say that it affects their daily lives.What Causes Hormonal Acne?
Acne is a skin condition that happens when your sebaceous glands (tiny glands near the surface of your skin) make too much sebum (an oily secretion of the sebaceous glands). The excess sebum bands together with dead skin cells clog your pores and form acne lesions, which include blackheads and whiteheads. Fluctuations in your oestrogen and progesterone levels are the main causes of hormonal acne. These fluctuations can vary greatly during your menstrual cycle. Changes in the ratio, or balance of these hormones can affect your testosterone levels, which in turn can also contribute to the appearance of acne. Stress plays an important part in hormonal acne too – when cortisol levels go up as part of your body’s stress response, your skin produces more sebum, which can lead to breakouts.Acne can also be caused or made worse by Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Menopause and increased androgen levels, the latter being hormones that play a role in the development of male traits. These hormones are present in both men and women.
Recognising Hormonal Acne
If the below apply, there’s a good chance you’re suffering from hormonal acne.- You have pimples that appear on your chin and jawline. Increased hormone levels in your body can stimulate your oil glands—and most of them can be found around your chin area. Although the chin and jawline are really common places for hormonal acne, it can also flare-up on the side of your face or down your neck.
- You have monthly breakouts. Hormonal acne follows a cycle – a lot like women’s menstrual cycles. Postmenopausal women can experience hormonal acne too, as they are still susceptible to monthly fluctuations in their oestrogen and progesterone levels.
- You’re under a lot of stress. A build-up of too much stress can lead to flare-ups, as cortisol (the stress hormone) can put your other hormones out of whack – another reason you should try to relax and de-stress on a regular basis. What’s more, if you’re stressed, you might not be looking after yourself quite as much as you should, and your skincare routine and diet can suffer, making breakouts more likely.
Hormonal Acne Treatment
Although hormonal acne can leave you feeling like your skin has a mind of its own, there are several options to help treat it.Contraception
Oral contraceptives have compounds that target the hormones which cause acne. So if you aren’t already on the Pill, consider asking your doctor whether they’d recommend it to help treat your acne. Make sure to always check with a Medical Professional before taking any medication or adapting your skincare routine.Topical retinoids
If you have mild to moderate acne, you can use topical retinoids, which work by removing dead skin cells to prevent them building up inside hair follicles. They usually come in a gel or cream and should be applied once a day before bed. You can get retinol containing products over the counter, but for stronger concentrations you’ll need to get them prescribed by a dermatologist or doctor.