Hormonal Acne: The Complete Guide

Hormonal acne is one of the most common reasons adults, and adult women in particular, seek help with their skin. If your breakouts sit low on your face, flare before your period, and shrug off the products that used to work, this is very likely what you are dealing with. The reassuring news is that hormonal acne is well understood and very treatable.

What is hormonal acne?

Hormonal acne is acne driven mainly by the effect of hormones on the skin's oil glands. It typically appears as deep, tender spots along the lower third of the face, including the jawline, chin and neck. It often follows a cyclical pattern, flaring in the days before a period, and tends to be more inflammatory than the surface blackheads and whiteheads commonly seen during the teenage years.

Why does it appear on the jaw and chin?

The oil glands in the lower face are especially responsive to androgens, a group of hormones that everyone naturally produces. When these glands are stimulated, they produce more oil, which combines with skin cells and inflammation to create the characteristic deep breakouts associated with hormonal acne.

For most people, hormone levels are completely normal. It is the skin's sensitivity to these normal hormones, rather than a hormonal disorder, that drives the acne.

How is it linked to my cycle?

Hormone levels naturally change throughout the menstrual cycle, and many people notice their skin worsening in the days before a period as these hormonal shifts occur.

This is why hormonal acne often follows a predictable monthly pattern. Keeping a simple record of when your breakouts occur can help reveal this pattern over time.

What actually helps?

Over the counter skincare products alone rarely resolve hormonal acne because they do not address the underlying hormonal driver.

Approaches that target this hormonal influence can make a significant difference. A 2023 UK study published in the BMJ(the SAFA Trial) found that a hormonally targeted approach meaningfully improved both skin and quality of life in adult women while reducing reliance on repeated courses of antibiotics.

The most appropriate approach depends on an individual assessment by a clinician experienced in treating acne.

What can I do myself?

• Keep your skincare routine simple and gentle using a mild cleanser, moisturiser and daily sunscreen.
• Avoid picking deep spots, as this prolongs healing and increases the risk of acne marks and permanent scarring.
• Allow any new skincare routine or treatment at least eight to twelve weeks before deciding whether it is working, as skin renews itself gradually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does hormonal acne mean my hormones are abnormal?

Usually not. Most people with hormonal acne have normal hormone levels. The condition is typically caused by increased skin sensitivity to naturally occurring hormones.

Why does my acne flare before my period?

Hormone levels naturally change during the days leading up to menstruation, and acne prone skin often responds to these fluctuations.

Will hormonal acne ever settle?

Yes. Although hormonal acne can be persistent, it responds well to the right management approach and can usually be brought under good long term control.

Reviewed by Dr Tara Treacy, GP with a special interest in dermatology (IMC 411337).

Last reviewed: 16/07/2026.

General information only. It does not replace an individual medical assessment.