Hormones play a big role in causing acne breakouts. While these are common during the teenage years, they can continue into adulthood. Both men and women can experience hormonal acne, but it seems to affect women more. This type of acne is due to a hormonal imbalance, often from too much androgen production. Androgens are hormones that help oil glands produce sebum, and too much sebum can clog pores, leading to acne. Here are some ways to treat hormonal acne.
Antibiotics can be used to treat hormonal acne and are categorized based on their functions. Some medications help control androgen levels by reducing or stopping their production. Birth control pills are one example. Women using anti-androgens might experience side effects like irregular periods and stomach issues.
Hormonal acne develops like other acne types, even though it’s caused by hormone changes. Topical antibiotics can kill bacteria and unclog pores. Clindamycin is a common topical antibiotic. Besides medications, lotions with acne-fighting ingredients can also be applied to the skin.
These treatments help unclog pores and reduce inflammation, similar to topical antibiotics. Antibiotics like tetracycline and erythromycin are often prescribed. However, both topical and oral antibiotics might not restore hormonal balance and can cause side effects like skin irritation, dryness, and stomach discomfort.
Some medications reduce the inflammation from acne breakouts but can cause side effects like weight gain and bone loss when taken orally. Antibiotics for hormonal acne often combine multiple functions, and using both oral and topical antibiotics is recommended for the best results.
Regular exercise helps balance hormones and keeps skin pores active, which helps remove toxins. Exercise is also a great stress reliever and helps burn body fat. Too much body fat is linked to acne, so daily activity can help reduce hormonal acne.
Studies show that women who experience high stress levels regularly are more prone to hormonal acne. Stress disrupts hormone balance, so if you’re often stressed, it might be causing your breakouts. Finding ways to manage stress, like through exercise, can help treat your acne.
