As someone who deals with chronic breakouts on a regular basis, I’m constantly looking for reliable, effective products that will help me through a bout of hormonal acne. Ahead, I speak to experts about what causes hormonal acne, how to treat it and the best products that have helped me through pesky breakouts.
What is hormonal acne?
Caused when hormone levels fluctuate, hormonal acne derives mainly from two sources, according to physician and founder of Osmosis Beauty Dr. Ben Johnson. “Acne on the upper face is caused by the increase of progesterone at the end of the cycle and its effect on candida in the gut,” he says. “Candida toxins purge through the skin of the face even though the yeast problem exists in the gut. The most common hormonal acne appears on the jawline. This is the purging of xenoestrogens, also known as estrogen-mimicking food preservatives.”
Environmental factors can also affect your skin. “When the humidity drops and the moisture in the air is lessened, the sebaceous glands in the face can start to overcompensate with increased oil and sebum production, which can make hormonal acne worse,” explains Dr. Stefani Kappel, board-certified dermatologist and founder of MDAire.
How to treat hormonal acne
Fall is typically the time of year when people can begin a more aggressive strategy in terms of treating their acne, as opposed to having to play it a bit safe during the summer months when increased sun exposure can cause the skin to be more sensitive when harsh topicals or other treatments have been applied. However, Johnson warns that this could cause an increase in purging for skin that has acne. He notes that “the key is to detox the skin and body and then focus on rejuvenating strategies.”
Since the skin naturally renews itself, Colleen Carey, skin expert and founder of Skin Rx, advises those with acne to start off slowly with exfoliating treatments that can help clear the skin of pore-clogging sebum and dead skin cells. “It takes time for cell turnover to increase, so one should ease exfoliation into their routine if they aren’t already doing it,” she says. “Start with one to two times a week and gradually increase as the skin gets accustomed to the exfoliation. Avoid over-exfoliating, as it can lead to irritation.”
With these tips in mind, I’ve explored myriad options to keep my acne under control, for autumn and beyond. Here are some of my current faves that have been working for my fall skin care routine.
Specifically designed for blemish-prone skin, this cleanser contains 2.5% benzoyl peroxide but is still light and gentle enough to function well with any other actives in your routine.
If you’re looking for a gentle yet effective serum that helps to support your skin barrier while treating the root causes of inflammation, oiliness and redness, opt for this. When I feel the early signs of a breakout coming on, I add this into my morning routine for an extra level of protection.
I use this any time I think my skin needs that extra boost. It helps to even out skin tone and firm any fine lines while a dose of peptides and water lily calms any irritation or redness.
The name of the game to combat fall breakouts is barrier support. If slugging with snail mucin isn’t necessarily for you, I highly recommend saturating every square inch of your face with this serum. Its sticky texture containing 30% glycerin will lock in moisture and hydration all day.
For any active breakouts or stubborn pimples, I’ve been reaching for this super-effective spot treatment gel lately. The applicator dispenses just the right amount and dries quickly, making it a seamless addition to your routine before applying makeup or while you’re on the go.
As the second cleanse in my nightly double-cleanse, this always leaves my skin feeling truly clean. It removes any remaining buildup and feels super nourishing.
Although this is usually used in a spray format, I take the applicator off of the top and pour some directly onto a cotton round to be used as a toner. The key ingredient of hypochlorous acid has both anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties to help calm any breakouts while wiping away any last traces of debris.
The definition of, "not new to this, but true to this." I’m a huge fan of the whole Topicals range, and Faded has never let me down. If you are post-breakout and looking to treat any new or existing discoloration, the brightening properties in this serum are ideal and gentle enough for daily use. As someone who has dealt with acne scars for years, I always notice significant differences when incorporating it into my routine on a regular basis.
Whenever my skin needs a reset, I make sure I apply this mask. It’s beyond satisfying to feel the clay properties dry into your skin and unclog any impurities that cleansing may have missed. The name is quite fitting because it literally feels like a vacuum for your pores.