What Causes Hormonal Acne?

© 2022 The Spa Dr. LLC – All Rights Reserved 1

 What Causes Hormonal Acne?

What Causes Hormonal Acne?

Acne is not just a problem for teens. It affects more than 40 million people – over half of
whom are women older than age 25. More than 4 out of 5 people between ages 12 and 24
develop acne at least once in their life.

Although acne is sometimes viewed as a superficial health concern, those of us who’ve had
it know breakouts can cause permanent damage – physical and emotional – not to mention
skin scarring and discoloration.

Acne is known as an inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles of
the skin and is marked by the eruption of pimples or pustules that can appear on the back,
chest, arms, and commonly on the face.

An increase in oil secretions may build up beneath a blocked pore, allowing bacteria
(including Propionibacterium acne – P. acne) to proliferate. Conventional approaches
to treating acne have a host of shortcomings, so it’s no surprise many people who use
common medications are left feeling fed-up and helpless after trying them and not seeing
results.

One of the main triggers for acne is from hormones, and that’s why we often see acne
breakouts during puberty, while starting or stopping birth control pills, and during
menopause.

However, have you noticed acne flare-ups when you’re stressed or when you eat the wrong
foods? Did you know that it can be hormonally related as well?

© 2022 The Spa Dr. LLC – All Rights Reserved 1

 What Causes Hormonal Acne?

Here are the 3 hormones that are most

connected to acne breakouts.

1. ANDROGENS

In excess, androgens cause an increase in sebum which provokes acne breakouts.

Androgens are made in the gonads and adrenal glands (in both men and women), and
they also can be made locally in the sebaceous glands. Your body may be making these in
excess, which can lead to acne.

Taking/using testosterone and DHEA increases the size and secretion of sebaceous glands,
so if your doctor has prescribed these for you and you have acne, be sure to check with him
or her to ensure you’re on the correct treatment regime.

© 2022 The Spa Dr. LLC – All Rights Reserved 2

 What Causes Hormonal Acne?

2. CORTISOL

High cortisol leads to more sebum production and inflammation which triggers acne. When
we’re stressed, cortisol goes up and that leads to this cascade. Cortisol is great to help us
respond to stressful situations or get us going in the morning, but cortisol levels should
taper off as the day progresses so we can relax and fall asleep at bedtime.

If we continue to be stressed without relief, then our adrenal glands that release cortisol
get tired or confused and don’t work normally. That’s one of the ways we end up with high
cortisol. As we age, we tend to have higher cortisol as well.

© 2022 The Spa Dr. LLC – All Rights Reserved 3

 What Causes Hormonal Acne?

3. INSULIN

High insulin has been shown to stimulate sebum production and androgen activity. When
we get excess amounts of sugar in our diet or have high blood sugar levels, our insulin kicks
in, which can lead to the acne cascade.

Sugar will alter your blood sugar levels. Anytime you eat a food high in sugar, your blood
sugar rises rapidly, then falls shortly after insulin is released into your cells. This creates a
huge drop in blood sugar that can make you shaky, hungry and moody. When this happens,
your body creates internal stress, which can also lead to breakouts.

© 2022 The Spa Dr. LLC – All Rights Reserved 4

 What Causes Hormonal Acne?

What do we do about hormonal acne?

We heal it from the inside and out.

1. Heal the gut

It may seem strange to talk about the digestive tract when we’re discussing hormones,
but the gut microbiome (the balance of microorganisms like the good bacteria found in
yogurt cultures) plays a role in balancing hormones.

Research indicates addressing the gut microbiome is important in addressing acne, and
probiotics can help restore healthy gut flora and help balance hormones.

2. Manage stress
Stress, especially in combination with digestive and gut microbiome imbalances and poor
diet, triggers inflammation, oxidative damage, and high cortisol. None of this is good for
the skin. Whether it’s a warm bath with a few drops of lavender essential oil, restorative
yoga classes, listening to soothing music, a stroll through nature, or some other way to
calm your mind and soul, pick one to do every day.

3. Improve detoxification
One of our liver’s jobs is metabolizing hormones, and when our detoxification pathways
are suboptimal, we can end up with imbalances in hormones and their metabolites. A
well-designed cleanse program can enhance liver detoxification.

The amino acid glutathione (also a potent antioxidant) is lower in the skin of acne patients
compared to people without acne. Certain nutrients such as N-Acetyl Cysteine and
Vitamin C can boost glutathione and support detoxification.

© 2022 The Spa Dr. LLC – All Rights Reserved 5

 What Causes Hormonal Acne?

4. Balance hormones naturally

Chasteberry, or vitex, can be helpful for women when hormonal imbalance is the
underlying trigger for skin problems. It is reported to have hormonal effects similar to
progesterone in the body, and research shows it can relieve acne symptoms.

For men or women with excess testosterone, the supplement saw palmetto may help
curb the excess. Hormones can be confusing, so if yours are out of balance, it’s best to
work with a naturopathic physician or functional medicine doctor who really knows how
to balance hormones naturally.

5. Reduce sugar
When you reduce your sugar intake, it’s easier to manage your blood sugar and insulin
levels. Sugar is hidden in many foods, so in addition to avoiding sugary treats and sodas,
read ingredient labels for sugar in popular packaged foods like bread, crackers, juice,
smoothies, dressings, and condiments. And, remember, many other foods turn into sugar
in the body like pasta and other high carbohydrate foods.

In addition to reducing sugar, be sure to eat plenty of fiber, protein, and healthy fats at
your meals to prevent sugar spikes and crashes. If your blood sugar runs high or you’re
not sure, talk with your doctor to have your levels tested.

6. Update your skin care routine

Externally, we can prevent and treat acne by ensuring a regular skincare routine with
mildly acidic skincare products and creating a healthy skin microbiome with the right
regimen to prevent overgrowth of P. acne bacteria.

© 2022 The Spa Dr. LLC – All Rights Reserved 6