Hormonal Acne: Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Few things are more frustrating than doing all the right things for your skin, only to have more breakouts show up – especially when it’s deep, painful, and parked right on your chin or jawline. If this sounds like your life, you might be dealing with hormonal acne. The good news? You’re not alone

Despite what teen-targeted acne ads say, hormonal acne doesn’t always clock out after your 20s. Hormone shifts, especially around your cycle or stress, can keep breakouts around well into your 30s. It’s not just random clogged pores from sleeping in your makeup (we’ve all been there). It’s stubborn, and it lingers. And no matter how many new cleansers you try, it doesn’t seem to budge.

But here’s the thing: your skin is not betraying you. It’s communicating with you. Once you understand what it’s trying to say, you can respond with care.

This post is your guide to figuring it out. We’ll cover what causes hormonal acne, where it usually shows up, and what you can actually do about it (without overwhelming your skin). Whether you’re navigating birth control adjustments, stress breakouts, or just feeling stuck, let’s find out how to get control of your hormonal acne.

What is Hormonal Acne?

Hormonal acne is exactly what it sounds like: acne that’s driven by shifts in your hormones. But what does that actually look and feel like? 

The answer: tender, under-the-skin bumps that show up mostly on your chin, jawline, or cheeks. The kind of breakouts that don’t always come to a head, but they definitely make themselves known and tend to hurt a bit. These aren’t your typical teenage whiteheads - they’re often cystic, inflamed, and annoyingly persistent.

Hormonal acne tends to follow a pattern. Maybe your skin flares up a few days before your period. Maybe it acts up during stressful times. Or maybe it started showing up after coming off birth control or around menopause.

Wherever you are in your journey, here’s the most important thing to remember: there are ways to manage it, treat it, and feel good in your skin again.

What Causes Hormonal Acne?

Hormonal acne really is hormonal imbalance acne. 

Your hormones play a major role in oil production. When they shift (especially estrogen, progesterone, and androgens like testosterone), your skin can go into overdrive and produce more sebum. That extra oil can clog pores, trap bacteria, and lead to inflammation, AKA the perfect storm for breakouts.

Let’s break down the causes in more detail.

Internal Triggers:

Your period: The classic culprit. Right before menstruation, estrogen dips and testosterone rises, which can lead to excess oil and a greater risk of clogged pores.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): This hormonal condition often causes persistent acne, particularly on the lower areas of the face (you may notice hormonal chin acne or bumps on your jawline).

Menopause: Falling estrogen levels can mean drier skin for some, and oilier, acne-prone skin for others.

Stress: Emotional stress doesn’t just impact your mind - it releases cortisol, which can throw some hormones out of balance and trigger excess oil production (which in turn causes stress hormonal acne).

Coming off birth control: If your body relied on hormonal contraception to regulate your skin, going off of it might trigger breakouts for a while.

Lack of sleep: While you sleep, your body works to repair itself—including your skin. A disrupted sleep cycle can throw off hormone regulation, increasing oil production and inflammation, which can trigger hormonal acne. So yes, beauty sleep is very real.

Postpartum changes: After giving birth, your levels of estrogen and progesterone drop, as your body doesn’t need as much post pregnancy. This can trigger more sebum production, which can in turn cause breakouts.

And it’s not just internal factors. External things can make hormonal acne worse:

Harsh skincare products: Over-exfoliating or using drying ingredients can strip your skin barrier, which can in turn make breakouts worse.

Comedogenic products: Products that clog pores (for example heavy oils or silicones) can be major culprits here, especially if your skin is already inflamed.

Lack of hydration: Dehydrated skin tries to compensate by making more oil, which leads to - you guessed it - more breakouts. So, even though it can seem counter-intuitive, hydration is important for oily, acne-prone skin, too.

All this to say: hormonal acne is a complex puzzle. Establishing how to control hormonal acne is all about using gentle, non-irritating skincare.

Hormonal Acne on the Chin and Jawline

There’s a reason why you have hormonal acne on cheeks, chin and jawline: this area has a higher density of oil glands and hormonal receptors. So, when your hormones are a bit out of whack, this part of your face is first to show it.

Here’s how to help hormonal acne on the chin and jawline:

First, track your cycle. If you notice breakouts flaring up at the same time every month, make a note. You might be able to time your treatments (like exfoliating or using salicylic acid) a few days before the breakout starts.

It’s also important to support your gut health. That’s because gut imbalances can mess with hormones and inflammation. So, eating more fiber, fermented foods, and reducing sugar can help support a clearer complexion.

Finally, don’t pick! It’s tempting. We get it. But cystic acne can’t be popped like a whitehead (and picking only leads to scarring). Try a warm compress or a soothing spot treatment (like a soothing calming clay mask) instead.

Hormonal Acne Treatment Options

What is the best treatment for hormonal acne? Let’s talk about what actually helps.

Topical treatments / ingredients to look for:

Salicylic Acid: This BHA clears out clogged pores and reduces redness. 

Benzoyl Peroxide: Kills acne-causing bacteria. Can be drying, so use a hydrating moisturizer alongside it.

Retinoids: Help your skin renew itself faster, preventing clogged pores. Available OTC or by prescription.

Clay Cleansers: Some types of clay such as kaolin clay and red clay helps absorb dirt, oil and impurities from skin.

Prescription options (talk to your doctor or dermatologist):

Birth Control Pills: Certain types help regulate hormones that cause acne.

Spironolactone: Blocks androgen activity (commonly prescribed for adult hormonal acne).

Accutane (Isotretinoin): Powerful and effective for severe cystic acne. Usually a last resort due to potential side effects.

Lifestyle tweaks:

Reduce stress: Your skin really does notice when you’re anxious or overwhelmed.

Get more sleep: Hormone regulation depends on rest.

Keep a simple, consistent beauty routine: You don’t need 12 steps. You just need the right ones.

Tweak your diet: Opt for a hormonal acne diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and low-glycemic foods - and avoid potential triggers like dairy and processed foods.

Drink water: Drinking plenty of water is important, too. That’s because water supports the body's natural detoxification processes, which helps to balance hormone levels.  

Acne Solutions for All Skin Types

When your skin’s in SOS mode, you don’t want to guess what might help. You want gentle, effective acne skincare you can trust.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Body Acne Clearing Mist: Body acne treatment spray formulated with 2% salicylic acid and designed with 360° sprayer that treats and helps prevent breakouts in hard-to-reach places.

Acne Clearing Pads: Daily acne treatment pads formulated with 2% salicylic acid and designed to treat and help prevent breakouts, without drying out skin. 

Daily Resurfacing Lotion: Lightweight hydration that helps fade post-acne marks, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation.

Pure Skin Face Cleanser: Creamy cleanser that is safe for sensitive skin and effectively removes makeup, dirt, and impurities.

Natural Remedies for Hormonal Acne

You don’t need to choose between topical skincare and “natural” treatments - it’s okay to do both. So, if you’re wondering how to treat hormonal acne naturally at home, here are a few options backed by research (and not just TikTok):

Green tea (1): Applied topically, green tea can reduce sebum production and in turn combat acne.

Omega-3s From fish oil (2): Great for inflammation and skin health.

Anti-inflammatory diet (3): Whole foods, leafy greens, berries, and fewer processed foods can really help.

Of course, natural doesn’t always mean better. If your hormonal cystic acne is severe or isn’t responding to skincare and lifestyle changes, it may be time to see a dermatologist. And as always, chat with your doctor before starting any new supplements (especially if you're on other medications).

How to Prevent Hormonal Acne

If you’re wondering how to stop hormonal acne, it’s really all about giving your skin what it needs, consistently. Make sure to talk to your deromatologist to discuss what solution is best for you. You can also use the following tips to support your journey:

Stick to a gentle and consistent skincare routine: Use a cleanser and acne clearing pads twice daily, exfoliate 2–3 times a week, and don’t skip the moisturizer specifically formulated for acne-prone skin.

Don’t forget your body: the skin on your body needs attention too - especially when hormonal acne loves to show up on your shoulders, chest and back. Use a body acne mist to ensure you’ve got these areas covered, too.

Prioritize sleep + hydration: Your skin repairs itself at night, and water supports detoxification and skin barrier health.

Avoid known triggers: For some, that’s dairy or stress. For others, it’s overdoing it with powerful skincare actives.

Avoid pore-clogging ingredients: Look for “non-comedogenic” on skincare product labels and steer clear of ingredients such as coconut oil, lanolin, and heavy silicones.

Manage your cycle: If your breakouts are predictable, time your skincare and go heavy on the anti-inflammatory ingredients a few days before your period.

Don’t chase trends: Stick to what works for you. Consistency is more powerful than the newest viral product.

Be patient. Hormonal acne responds slowly. That doesn’t mean what you’re doing is not working.

Conclusion

With the right mix of derm-approved skincare and lifestyle shifts, you can absolutely calm and control hormonal acne. Progress might be slow at first, but trust us: with consistency, change will happen.

At First Aid Beauty, we’re here for the ups, the downs, and the “I can’t believe I’m breaking out again” days. Explore our sensitive skin-friendly acne solutions and build a routine that truly supports your skin.

Breathe. Be gentle with your skin (and yourself). And know this: clearer, calmer days are ahead.