Hormonal Acne | Acne
Hormonal acne can show up at any stage of life, though it most commonly starts around puberty. Common triggers include coming off hormonal contraceptives or a hormonal device, or breakouts appearing in the lead-up to your period - often around 7 days before bleeding starts. Hormonal acne is also very common alongside PCOS and other androgen-excess related conditions.
Classic hormonal acne tends to show up on the cheeks, chin, jawline and neck, which can be a useful clue in working out whether what you’re dealing with is hormonally driven.
Where You Can Start at Home
A few things make a genuine difference even before you come in: good water intake, regular bowel motions supported by plenty of fibre, and avoiding excess sugar consumption.
My Approach
Rather than just treating the breakouts themselves, my naturopathic approach focuses on understanding the underlying drivers behind your acne, while supporting the skin’s healing process at the same time. Dietary modifications can play a key role, as can particular targeted nutrients, and I may suggest timed hormone testing (such as a day 2/3 blood test) to help build a clearer picture of what’s going on.
FAQ
Is hormonal acne different from regular acne?
Hormonal acne tends to follow a pattern - often along the jawline, chin and neck, and flaring around specific points in your cycle or after coming off hormonal contraception, which is different from acne that’s more evenly distributed or unrelated to cycle timing.
Will I need blood tests?
Often a timed hormone test (such as day 2/3 of your cycle) is useful for understanding what’s driving your particular pattern.
Can diet really affect hormonal acne?
Yes. Sugar intake, gut health and overall nutrition all play a role, and dietary changes are often one of the most effective starting points.
I just came off the pill and now have breakouts. Is that normal?
Yes. This is a very common trigger, and it’s one of the specific scenarios I work with regularly.
How long before I see improvement?
Skin healing takes time, so most women need a few months of consistent treatment before seeing a clear difference, though some things (like water intake and bowel regularity) can help fairly quickly.