How to Treat Hormonal Acne

Acne affects both men and women of all ages. Though it can be due to a number of different factors, ranging from a poor diet to bacteria on the skin, many people have hormonal acne. Throughout life, our hormone levels fluctuate. The first intense hormone stage occurs at puberty and fluctuations continue to occur as we age. Oftentimes, adult acne is related to hormones. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to treat hormonal acne.

Things You'll Need

• Oil-free cleanser
• Oil-free moisturizer
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Dermatologist
• Hormone medication
• Fresh garlic
• Rose water
• Lime juice

Instructions

1. Cleanse your skin twice daily with an oil-free cleanser. Daily cleansing will help to keep your skin clear of makeup, bacteria and other contaminants that can exacerbate your acne. Avoid cleansers that contain heavy soaps or scents as these can worsen your acne.

2. Keep skin hydrated by moisturizing daily. You may think that you should avoid moisturizer in an effort to dry out your acne. However, moisturizer is actually essential to getting rid of your hormonal acne. If you don't moisturize, your skin will actually produce even more oil to make up for the dryness there. Choose an oil-free moisturizer that won't clog your pores.

3. Apply an over-the-counter acne treatment cream. Creams that contain benzoyl peroxide have been shown to be the most effective in treating acne. Use the cream daily. If you experience any redness or irritation, wash the cream off after 45 minutes. The benzoyl peroxide will still have time to work in that shortened time period.

4. Get your hormone levels tested by your dermatologist. Some endocrinologists and gynecologists also perform hormonal testing. Your blood will be drawn, and then tested for specific hormone levels. The doctor will then be able to prescribe treatment targeted at high or low hormone levels. Oftentimes, the medications prescribed will combat testosterone while simultaneously protecting oil glands.

5. Talk to your dermatologist about birth control pills that improve hormonal acne. Since oral contraceptives can block testosterone, many clear up hormonal acne. Your doctor will be able to assess your particular situation and prescribe appropriate pills accordingly.

6. Try home remedies for clearing hormonal acne. Mash up one clove of fresh garlic. Apply the mashed garlic to your acne and leave on overnight as this has been shown to reduce hormonal acne. You can also try mixing a solution of equal parts rose water and lime juice. Apply the mixture to your acne and leave it on for ½ hour. Rinse the solution off your face and moisturize as you normally would.

Tips & Warnings

• Drink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet.

• Never pick at your acne. It will only worsen it and may lead to scarring.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish