Hormonal acne is often called adult acne when it occurs in post-adolescent people. If you experience hormonal breakouts, know that there are millions of other women who go through the same thing. Some women wonder, “Is it hormonal or something else?” This guide seeks to answer that question and meek it easier for women to figure out whether their acne breakouts are due to a hormonal imbalance.
Before we dive into the symptoms associated with the different types of acne, let’s talk about what hormonal acne is. Hormonal acne affects teens and adults. In teens and adolescents who are experiencing puberty, hormonal acne happens when the body begins to produce more androgen hormones (especially testosterone). Androgens such as testosterone are male hormones that females also have.
During puberty, increased androgen levels cause the oil glands in the skin to create excess oil. As sebaceous glands go crazy pumping out oil, some of that oil becomes trapped in hair follicles and pores on the skin (along with dead skin cells). This can lead to inflammation and the development of acne vulgaris. When testosterone and other androgen hormone levels remain imbalanced, hormonal acne continues to be a problem.
Some adults outgrow hormonal acne and have clear skin for the rest of their lives. But for many of us, hormonal acne breakouts return when we get a little older.
Though hormonal acne during adolescence impacts both girls and boys, women are much more likely to experience adult acne than men. You’re probably wondering why we get to have all the fun, right? Well, the reason women are more prone to hormonal acne as adults is because our hormone levels are constantly shifting. Every month, we experience hormone fluctuations that guide us through different cycles of our menstrual period.
While the process of monthly hormonal changes is normal, some of us may experience hormone imbalances during certain times of the month. These imbalances can lead to a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including bloating, abdominal cramps, weight gain, and adult acne breakouts right before and during our periods.