What causes hormonal acne?

Hormonal acne can be incredibly frustrating, especially when we're still dealing with it as adults. It’s a common issue that affects many adult women, but what exactly causes it?

Well, to put it simply, hormonal acne is caused by changes in your hormones. During your menstrual cycle, your body’s hormonal levels fluctuate, and your sebum glands go into overdrive, leading to an increase in oil production in the skin. This excess oil then clogs your pores, and voila — those pesky breakouts have appeared.

But it's not just your menstrual cycle that can cause hormonal acne. Other factors like stress, pregnancy, menopause, certain medications and even your diet can also affect your hormones and lead to acne.

So, what can you do to combat hormonal acne? While it's not always easy to control your hormones, there are some things you can do to help manage hormonal acne.

Maintain a consistent skincare routine — wash your face with a gentle cleanser, hydrate using a non-comedogenic moisturiser and protect your skin during the day with a mineral sunscreen. Additionally, consider using a treatment product with active ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide which will help unclog pores and prevent breakouts.