Anyone who has suffered from adult acne knows that it can be frustrating. If pimples have followed you into your 20s and beyond, you’re probably wondering what to do about hormonal acne. It turns out that acne can happen no matter how great your skin care routine is.
“Hormonal acne is a term used to refer to breakouts in adult women,” he says. Joshua Zeichner, MDassociate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. “This is somewhat of a misnomer because the truth is that all acne is determined by hormones. Hormones, such as testosterone, stimulate the activity of the sebaceous glands which leads to increased sebum production and inflammation.”
According to Dr. Zeichner, pimples tend to be cyclical and occur around the time of the menstrual cycle due to the rise and fall of hormone levels. Hormonal acne is also more common than you think: anywhere in between 12% and 22% of women between the ages of 26 and 44 suffer from acne in their daily lives.
Ahead, Dr. Zeichner explains what to do about hormonal acne and some recommended options for clearer skin.
What is hormonal acne?
Adult acne is characterized by angry, red pimples that usually appear along the lower third of the face around the jawline. “As hormone levels rise midway through the menstrual cycle, the sebaceous glands are activated, which translates to breakouts a week or two later when your period comes,” explains Dr. Zeichner.
How do I know if my acne is hormonal?
There are some key differences between hormonal acne and teenage acne. According to Dr. Zeichner, teen acne is characterized by pimples all over the face, including blackheads and whiteheads.
Adult acne is much more inflammatory. “Deeper, painful papules and cysts under the skin,” says Dr. Zeichner. “It is important to note that adult-onset pimples, or hormonal acne, are usually not pickable. Especially in this group of patients, scratching the skin can do more harm than good, causing cracks in the outer skin layer with possible inflammation and scarring.”
What causes hormonal acne?
There is no specific answer to this question, because each body is unique. Aside from hormones, Dr. Zeichner cites stress and diet as possible causes. “Whey protein and vitamin B12 have also been linked to acne.”