How Hormones Cause Adult Acne in Women

Acne is typically associated with teenagers, but acne in adult women is becoming increasingly common. In fact, acne is the most common skin condition affecting adults in the U.S. and will strike nearly 80% of the population at some point during their lifetime.

But the causes of acne in adults are somewhat different than those of teenage acne, and therefore need to be approached on an individual basis that is customized for adult women.

While food, lifestyle, makeup, facemasks, and environmental toxins can contribute to adult acne, hormones are the most frequent cause of the development of adult acne in women. And numerous clinical research studies show a clear association between acne flare-ups and menstrual cycles in surveyed women.

It is estimated that up to 50% of women in their 20s will experience some hormonal acne – and 25% of women in their 40s will be afflicted with acne due to hormones at some point.

The good news is that there is a fast, effective, and convenient treatment for hormone balancing that can alleviate acne breakouts and help women have smooth, clear beautiful skin at any age. The SottoPelle bioidentical hormone replacement method delivers hormone re-balancing that can help reduce or eliminate adult acne flare-ups in adult women.

What Causes Hormonal Acne in Women?

On a superficial level, acne occurs when the pores of the skin become clogged with sebum (skin oil) causing bacteria to become trapped. This then develops into inflammation and infection in the form of pimples, “zits”, blackheads, whiteheads, and cysts. Adult acne most commonly causes unsightly bumps on the face – but can also affect the shoulders, chest and back in adults.

The real trick to controlling acne is understanding and treating whatever is causing the overproduction of pore-clogging sebum (oil) by the sebaceous glands. And, in adult women, this is usually hormones.

Androgens (male sex hormones) are found in both women and men. And it is these androgens – including Testosterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (SDHEA) and Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – that stimulate sebaceous gland growth and encourage sebum production. However, Estrogens (female sex hormones) have the opposite effect – and inhibit the growth of the sebaceous gland and suppress the production of excess sebum.

Therefore, a proper balance of estrogen and androgen hormones is necessary for proper sebaceous gland activity. Enough testosterone is needed to produce sufficient oil to keep skin from becoming dry – yet enough estrogen is required to prevent the overproduction of pore-clogging sebum. When this balance is not achieved, a hormone imbalance in the estrogen/androgen ratio is responsible for the pathogenesis of the medical condition “acne vulgaris”.

Is My Adult Acne Due to Hormonal Imbalance?

If a woman’s acne tends to worsen around the middle of her cycle, or around her period, an estrogen/progesterone imbalance is typically to blame. PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) is another condition that can cause raised levels of testosterone and/or androgens that may also be responsible for adult acne in females.

When pregnant women or women going through menopause develop acne it is also almost always due to hormone imbalance. The hormonal increases of pregnancy and the estrogen decline of perimenopause and menopause can both wreak havoc on healthy hormone balance – leading to many symptoms and side effects including adult acne.

During puberty, acne often appears in the “T-zone” (forehead, nose, and chin). But adult female acne is typically located primarily on the lower part of the face and chin, often in a U-shape. After an acne breakout, many women are left with “post inflammatory hyperpigmentation” (dark spots). And scars also occur in about 20% of adult women who have suffered adult acne breakouts.

Treating Hormonal Acne in Women

If you are a woman with adult acne, the first step we recommend is to undergo hormonal tests. The skin is a great barometer for what’s going on inside the rest of the body – and acne may be an indicator that a woman’s hormones are out of balance.

Seeing a doctor who specializes in hormone balancing can be an important step in accurately diagnosing the cause of a woman’s adult onset acne. A certified SottoPelle physician can order diagnostic blood tests – including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and thyroid tests, as well as complete blood panels – to identify any underlying hormone deficiencies or imbalances that may be the cause of a patient’s acne breakouts.

After identifying a patient’s individual hormone deficiencies, a certified SottoPelle provider can prescribe customized, natural, biodentical hormone replacement pellets.  Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can effectively restore hormonal balance to women. This can provide long-lasting relief from many of the embarrassing or unpleasant symptoms of hormone deficiency, including unattractive adult acne.

Other Treatments for Women’s Adult Acne

For active acne breakouts, antibiotics may be temporarily prescribed to kill the infection and get rid of pustules (pus bumps) and cysts. However, once the active acne is under control, women should stop taking antibiotics to avoid antibiotic resistance and other side effects.

Prescription topical acne treatments such as Retinoids – including isotretinoin – may also be prescribed as an acne treatment for adult women. Retinoids should be taken only under the supervision of a physician, since laboratory monitoring is required, and potential side effects need to be monitored. But while topical medications can clear up active acne outbreaks, they do not treat the underlying problem of hormone imbalance.

Maintaining proper “gut health” is also critical from a hormonal perspective – since androgen and estrogen levels are actually affected by digestion. Proper intestine functioning enables excess hormones to be eliminated from the bowels, rather than accumulate in the body. SottoPelle Health and Wellness Supplement contains a special complex of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, probiotics, and phytonutrients that work in harmony with the body to support gut health for overall vitality and smooth, clear skin.

Hormone Therapy for Women’s Adult Acne – Scottsdale, AZ

SottoPelle has been helping women restore hormone balance and regain optimal health and wellness for more than four decades. If you are suffering from adult acne or other symptoms of hormone imbalance, a SottoPelle Certified Provider will take a thorough diagnostic approach and prescribe the most effective treatment(s) to restore your body to balance.

Women’s Hormone Therapy for Acne – Scottsdale, AZ: (323) 986-5100

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as general information only and is not intended to be used as medical advice. While the benefits of hormone replacement are well documented through clinical research, we are not representing that hormone therapy is a “cure” for any disease. Only your treating physician can determine if hormone replacement may be a beneficial part of your healthcare regimen, based on your age, overall health, risk factors, and lifestyle.