Hormonal acne can be frustrating because breakouts may continue even when you cleanse regularly and use products designed for acne-prone skin.

Some people notice that their acne appears in a predictable cycle. Others repeatedly develop deep or painful spots around the chin, jawline or lower face. This pattern may suggest that hormones are contributing to the breakouts, although acne location alone cannot confirm the cause.

At SoHeal Clinic, we understand that persistent acne often requires more than repeatedly changing skincare products. A proper assessment can help distinguish possible hormonal acne from other forms of acne and determine whether further medical evaluation may be appropriate.

What Is Hormonal Acne?

“Hormonal acne” is a commonly used term for acne that is influenced by changes in hormone activity, particularly androgens.

Androgens are hormones present in both men and women. They can stimulate the skin’s oil glands, increasing sebum production. When excess sebum combines with dead skin cells inside a hair follicle, the pore may become blocked. Bacteria and inflammation can then contribute to red, swollen or painful acne lesions.

Hormonal acne is particularly common during periods of hormonal change, including:

• Puberty
• Menstrual cycles
• Pregnancy
• Starting or stopping certain hormonal medicines
• Hormonal conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome

Adult acne may also continue for years after adolescence or begin for the first time during adulthood.

What Does Hormonal Acne Look Like?

Hormonal acne does not look exactly the same for everyone. Possible patterns include:

• Breakouts around the chin, jawline, neck or lower cheeks
• Acne that worsens before or during a menstrual period
• Deep, tender bumps beneath the skin
• Breakouts that repeatedly return in similar areas
• Acne that continues into adulthood
• Acne that does not improve sufficiently with a basic skincare routine

Women with persistent lower-face or jawline acne may respond to hormonal treatment, but the distribution of acne should not be used as the only method of diagnosis. A professional assessment remains important.

Why Does Hormonal Acne Happen?

Menstrual Cycle Changes

Hormone levels naturally change throughout the menstrual cycle. These fluctuations may stimulate oil production and contribute to acne flare-ups in some women.

A person may notice that breakouts consistently appear several days before menstruation or during the early part of the cycle.

Puberty

During puberty, androgen activity increases. This stimulates the oil glands and makes blocked pores more likely, which is why acne commonly begins during the teenage years.

Stress

Stress is not the only cause of hormonal acne, but it may worsen existing breakouts. The body’s response to stress can increase androgen-related activity and stimulate the oil glands.

Stress may also affect sleep, eating habits and consistency with skincare, creating additional challenges for acne-prone skin.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a hormonal and metabolic condition that may involve increased androgen activity. Symptoms can include:

• Irregular, infrequent or absent periods
• Acne or oily skin
• Excess facial or body hair
• Scalp hair thinning
• Difficulty becoming pregnant
• Weight gain or difficulty managing weight
• Darkened or thickened patches of skin

Having one of these symptoms does not confirm PCOS. Diagnosis requires a healthcare assessment, and other possible causes must be considered.

Medication or Hormonal Products

Certain medicines and hormonal products may trigger or worsen acne in some people. Do not stop a prescribed medication on your own. Discuss any concerns with the doctor who prescribed it so that the benefits and possible alternatives can be reviewed safely.

Can Hormonal Acne Be Managed Naturally?

Supportive lifestyle and skincare changes may help reduce factors that worsen acne, but “natural” management does not mean that hormones can always be corrected through food, detoxes or home remedies.

Persistent, painful or scarring hormonal acne may still require medical treatment. The following habits are best viewed as part of a complete acne-management plan rather than a guaranteed cure.

1. Follow a Gentle Skincare Routine

Harsh cleansing does not remove hormonal acne. Over-washing, scrubbing and frequent exfoliation can weaken the skin barrier and increase irritation.

A simple routine may include:

Morning

1. Gentle cleanser
2. Lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser
3. Broad-spectrum, non-comedogenic sunscreen

Evening

1. Gentle cleanser
2. Suitable acne treatment
3. Non-comedogenic moisturiser

Cleanse no more than twice daily unless you need to wash after heavy sweating. Use lukewarm water and avoid rough facial tools.

2. Avoid Picking or Squeezing

Hormonal acne can feel deep and painful, making it tempting to squeeze the area. However, pressure may worsen inflammation beneath the skin and increase the likelihood of pigmentation or permanent scarring.

Deep nodules and cysts should be professionally assessed rather than extracted at home.

3. Consider the Overall Quality of Your Diet

No single food causes acne in everyone, and restrictive diets are not automatically necessary.

However, small studies suggest that a low-glycaemic eating pattern may reduce acne in some people. This generally means eating fewer foods that cause rapid blood-sugar spikes and choosing more vegetables, legumes, whole grains and minimally processed foods.

The evidence is not strong enough to promise that dietary changes alone will clear hormonal acne. Keeping a food and symptom diary may be more helpful than removing multiple food groups without professional advice.

4. Maintain a Consistent Sleep Routine

Sleep supports general health, stress regulation and healthy daily routines. Poor sleep may make it more difficult to manage stress and remain consistent with skincare and food choices.

Rather than searching for a specific “acne sleep schedule,” aim for a regular bedtime and sufficient rest appropriate for your age and health needs.

5. Manage Stress in Practical Ways

Stress management will not instantly cure hormonal acne, but it may help reduce a factor that worsens breakouts.

Helpful activities may include:

• Regular walking or exercise
• Breathing exercises
• Meditation or prayer
• Taking breaks from screens
• Maintaining regular sleep
• Speaking with someone about ongoing emotional stress

Choose realistic habits that can be continued consistently rather than attempting a complicated wellness routine.

6. Wash Gently After Sweating

In Malaysia’s hot and humid climate, sweat may remain on the skin after outdoor activities, exercise or commuting.

After heavy sweating:

• Pat the skin rather than rubbing it
• Cleanse gently when possible
• Change out of damp clothing
• Avoid leaving tight masks, helmets or sports equipment against wet skin
• Reapply suitable sunscreen when returning outdoors

Sweat, heat, friction and occlusion may aggravate acne-prone skin, particularly on the face, chest and back.

7. Choose Non-Comedogenic Products

Look for moisturisers, makeup and sunscreen labelled non-comedogenic or “will not clog pores.”

This is especially important when applying products repeatedly in humid weather. Sunscreen should not be skipped, as post-acne marks may become more noticeable with sun exposure. Acne-prone skin generally benefits from broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.

8. Avoid Unproven DIY Remedies

Lemon juice, toothpaste, undiluted essential oils, baking soda and aggressive homemade scrubs may irritate the skin. Irritation does not mean that a treatment is “working.”

Natural ingredients can still cause contact dermatitis, burns or worsening pigmentation. A treatment should be selected because it is suitable and safe for the individual—not simply because it is described as natural.

When Natural Management Is Not Enough

Arrange a professional assessment when hormonal acne:

• Is painful or deep
• Repeatedly returns
• Leaves dark marks or scars
• Does not improve with consistent skincare
• Suddenly begins during adulthood
• Affects the chest or back extensively
• Affects your confidence or emotional health
• Occurs together with irregular periods, excess hair growth or scalp hair loss

Early management is especially important for nodular or cystic acne because deeper lesions have a greater risk of scarring.

Medical Treatment for Hormonal Acne

When appropriate, a doctor may discuss treatments such as:

• Benzoyl peroxide
• Topical retinoids
• Azelaic acid
• Combination topical treatments
• Oral antibiotics for selected inflammatory acne
• Hormonal treatment for suitable female patients
• Isotretinoin for selected severe or treatment-resistant acne

Hormonal therapies such as certain oral contraceptives or spironolactone may be helpful for some women with persistent hormonal acne. They are not suitable for everyone and must be considered alongside the patient’s medical history and potential risks.

Patients who are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding should tell their doctor before beginning acne treatment because some medications are not suitable during these periods.

Hormonal Acne and PCOS: When to Seek Further Evaluation

Acne alone does not mean that a person has PCOS. However, further evaluation may be appropriate when adult acne occurs together with:

• Irregular or absent periods
• Increased facial or body hair
• Difficulty becoming pregnant
• Scalp hair thinning
• Unexplained changes in weight
• Darkened patches around the neck, underarms or other body folds

PCOS cannot be diagnosed from acne appearance alone. Assessment may involve a review of symptoms and medical history, physical examination, blood tests or imaging when clinically appropriate.

Hormonal Acne Care at SoHeal Clinic

SoHeal Clinic provides consultations for acne and other skin concerns at Eco Sanctuary in Selangor. Its care model begins with an individual consultation so the patient’s symptoms, skin condition and expectations can be considered before a management plan is discussed.

During an acne consultation, it may be helpful to share:

• When the acne first started
• Whether breakouts follow a monthly pattern
• The products and treatments you have already tried
• Any medication or hormonal products you use
• Whether your menstrual cycle has changed
• Whether you have noticed excess hair growth or hair thinning
• Whether acne is leaving pigmentation or scars

These details may help the doctor understand whether hormonal factors should be considered.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hormonal Acne

Does jawline acne always mean a hormonal imbalance?

No. Hormones may contribute to lower-face and jawline acne, but skincare products, friction, blocked pores and other factors can produce similar breakouts. The acne pattern should be assessed together with other symptoms and medical history.

Can drinking more water cure hormonal acne?

Adequate hydration supports general health, but water alone does not correct the processes responsible for hormonal acne. It should be part of a healthy routine rather than treated as a cure.

Can hormonal acne disappear on its own?

Hormonal acne may improve as hormone levels change, but persistent or severe acne may continue without treatment. Waiting too long may increase the risk of pigmentation and scarring.

Is hormonal acne treatable?

Yes. Hormonal acne can often be controlled through an appropriate combination of skincare, lifestyle support and medical treatment. The most effective approach depends on the individual.

Start With Understanding the Cause

Hormonal acne is not a sign that you have failed to care for your skin. It is influenced by biological processes that cannot always be controlled through cleansing or diet alone.

Gentle skincare, balanced eating, stress management, sufficient sleep and avoiding pore-clogging products may support healthier skin. However, recurring, painful or scarring acne deserves professional assessment.

Arrange a consultation with SoHeal Clinic to better understand your acne pattern and discuss an individualised management plan.

SoHeal Clinic
📍 11-G Jalan Eco Santuari 8/1C, Persiaran Eco Sanctuary, 42500 Telok Panglima Garang, Selangor
📞 +03 8683 2781
🌎 SoHeal Clinic website

Medical disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes and does not replace medical diagnosis or personalised treatment. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional before beginning medication, changing prescribed treatment or making significant dietary changes.