How Hormonal Acne Differs in Men vs. Women

Discover how hormonal acne differs in men and women and learn how to treat and prevent it!

Who said acne is just for teenagers? Acne is the eighth most common skin disorder worldwide. Though common in teenage and early adult years, the condition can persist throughout your life.

In fact, 85% of people from 12 to 24 years old have acne. Fluctuations in hormone levels are the usual suspects, especially in women. But men are no exception to this problem.

What is Hormonal Acne?

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Hormones that naturally fluctuate might be causing hormonal acne, also known as adult acne. Inflamed and clogged pores are responsible for the blemishes far after puberty. 

Sometimes filled with pus, you may find elevated, red, swollen, and painful cysts on the skin of those with this disorder.

The hormones detailed below play essential roles in this skin condition.

Estrogen

Estrogen, often known as the female hormone, is produced in the ovaries and regulates a woman’s reproductive system. 

Estrogen slows sebum production, which helps reduce breakouts. The skin will appear moisturized, supple, and radiant whenever estrogen levels are higher.

Progesterone

Progesterone is another female hormone released in the ovaries. It thickens the uterine wall in preparation for a future pregnancy.

Likewise, this hormone has an effect on the skin. When progesterone levels are high, the skin produces more oily substances. Overproduction of oil mixed with dead skin cells can result in clogged pores.

Testosterone

Lastly, testosterone, present in both male and female bodies, is the most important factor.

Women have testosterone produced by their adrenal glands. It is at peak level during ovulation, which coincides with when acne develops.

Acne in Men

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Hormonal acne may affect both men and women from adolescence through maturity. Adult acne typically affects more women, but men suffer for an extended time. 

Men may not have a menstrual cycle, but some activities affect their level of testosterone. Increased testosterone levels make the experience with acne worse. 

Stress, exercise, diet and lifestyle, sexual activity, age, and genetic profile impact testosterone levels and hormone surges in general.

What Causes Acne in Men?

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Hormonal Imbalances

Hormone levels are typically the major cause of acne in males. Males have excess sebum secretion since their sebaceous glands, a skin gland near the hair follicles, are more active.

Higher sebum production is likely due to elevated testosterone levels, which can contribute to acne development.

Body and Facial Hair

Another possible cause of acne in men is their coarse body and facial hair. While beards may look cool, they could trap oil and serve as a breeding ground for bacteria irritating the skin. You might want to skip No-Shave November!

Remember, while shaving itself does not cause acne, be careful not to use dull blades or unhygienic tools. This will help avoid beard acne. You may also choose to shave before showering, because your skin is warm, oil-free, and free from grime that might get lodged deeper in the skin.

Lastly, try to avoid touching your face unnecessarily.

Sweating

Men experience acne on the chest, back, upper arms, shoulders, face, and neck.

Increased sweating may promote skin irritation and the appearance of acne. You may notice this in many men during the warmer months and after exercise, especially with nylon clothing. 

Supplements

Using supplements to increase muscle growth may also affect the skin.

Certain supplements, such as vitamin B6, B12, iodine, whey protein, and branched-chain amino acids, could cause or worsen hormonal fluctuations.

Diet and Lifestyle

Hormones are an important influence on the general health of our skin. Our diet significantly affects hormone levels. Milk and sugary diets, for example, might raise insulin levels. As a result, your skin may develop a dark velvety patch on areas such as the back of your neck, underarms, and groins. You may also experience acne flare-ups.

It’s important to be in control of your diet to get that healthy-looking skin. This highly informative eBook may help you achieve that glow.

Genetics

Researchers discovered that genetics had a factor in adult acne. Adult breakouts were shown to be more common in people who have a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, with the same condition.

Hormonal Acne in Women: Everything You Need to Know

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Acne is often seen in around 50% of women between the ages of 20 and 29. Acne can persist in 25% of women between the ages of 40 and 49. So, why are women more prone to hormonal acne than men?

Due to menstrual cycles, use of birth control pills, pregnancy, and menopause, women endure higher hormone swings than males. 

Menstrual acne, or pimples that appear during menstruation, is quite frequent. According to research, 63% of acne-prone women have these premenstrual flares. They’d show up seven to ten days before the start of a woman’s menstruation and disappear as soon as the bleeding begins.

Even in women who do not menstruate, such as pregnant women, having blackheads and whiteheads may still be expected. An increase in androgen hormones in pregnancy is a contributing factor that causes the skin’s glands to increase in size. This results in new acne formation.

Finally, menopause strikes many women in their 40s and 50s. This creates a natural decrease in their reproductive hormones. 

Some women get acne during menopause which is most likely related to a decrease in estrogen or changes in testosterone levels.

How Do You Know if Your Acne is Hormonal?

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Here are a few indicators of hormonal acne, according to dermatologists:

You are No Longer a Teenager

It can be quite frustrating to still get zits when you’re way past your teenage years. Come on, you are ready for adulting, yet your pimples won’t let you move on! If you are past age 25 but still suffer from stubborn acne, it might be due to hormones. 

Your Breakouts Usually Appear Around your Jawline

If your breakouts are around your chin and jawline, there’s a high chance that you’re looking at a hormonal type of acne.  

Your Stress Levels are High

Cortisol, the stress hormone, stimulates oil production in your sebaceous glands, resulting in blocked pores and acne outbreaks. Chronic stress causes these hormones to be constantly elevated, harming your skin’s health.

Your Breakouts Happen Around the Same Time

Hormonal acne typically occurs cyclically, similar to women’s menstrual periods. Consistently they happen in the same location each month. This pimple appears because of a specific pore that has been enlarged.

Hormonal Acne vs. Bacterial Acne

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It can be tricky to distinguish if you have hormonal or bacterial acne. After all, zits can look alike! 

Hormonal acne is caused by hormonal imbalances, while the latter is caused by, of course, bacteria. In most cases, an outbreak’s location is one of its unmistakable indicators.

Hormonal acne usually appears around your chin and jawline. In contrast, bacterial acne can develop almost anywhere on the face with varying sizes. 

Bacterial acne can manifest as whiteheads, blackheads, or even pus-filled pimples. In contrast, hormonal acne is usually deep, with painful bumps or cysts. 

How to Treat and Prevent Hormonal Acne

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Hormonal acne can be frustrating and overwhelming, but it’s common and normal. So common, in fact, that many ways are being discovered to deal with it.

Oral Contraceptives

For decades, dermatologists have used birth control tablets to treat acne in women. It is usually used when other acne treatments have failed, such as topical creams and oral antibiotics. 

Anti-Androgen Drugs

Both men and women have androgen, though males produce more of them. Anti-androgen medications work by lowering this hormone only in females.

Too much androgen, on the other hand, can trigger acne by increasing oil production.

Retinoids

You may be able to use topical retinoids if your hormonal acne is minimal. Many retinoid creams, gels, and lotions are accessible without a prescription. 

If you start using a topical retinoid, you should use sunscreen daily. Retinoids might increase your chances of becoming sunburned.

Azelaic acid cream, used locally, also can help prevent pore clogging and inflammation.

Tea Tree Oil

According to one study, topical tea tree oil soothed symptoms in patients with mild to severe acne. Tea tree oil reduces inflammation, which can lead to acne. 

Tea tree oil may be found in various skincare products, including cleansers and toners. Its essential oil can also be used as a spot treatment.

Good Diet 

Antioxidant-rich plant meals may help decrease inflammation and produce brighter skin. You may need to find ways to reduce your sugar, dairy, and refined carbohydrate intake. These kinds of food could aggravate and trigger inflammatory acne.

If you want to start a healthier diet and lifestyle, this highly informative eBook can help you. 

Acne treatment differs from person to person, but patience is always the key. In general, it might take up to four to six weeks after starting therapy to observe improvements in your skin.

When Should You See Your Doctor?

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Consult a doctor if your acne is severe, recurrent, itchy, or painful. Your acne can be an underlying symptom of something more serious. 

It is also advisable to see a dermatologist for the best treatment. Now that you know about hormonal acne, be careful in using any DIY or over-the-counter products to reduce acne breakouts.

A doctor can significantly assess your skin condition, like acne, if it’s worsening. Contact a professional immediately if you detect any adverse medication reactions at home.

Conclusion

Hormonal acne, the eighth most prevalent skin disease worldwide, affects both genders. This condition can be frustrating and painful, and sometimes embarrassing!

But do not lose hope! Hormonal acne can be treated and prevented. Different methods can be used to manage this disease. Having adult acne doesn’t mean that you have to live in doom! 

FAQs

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