Hormonal Acne: How to Treat It Effectively

Breakouts along the jawline. Deep, painful cysts that show up like clockwork every month. Pimples that don’t respond to your usual skincare. If this sounds familiar, you may be dealing with hormonal acne — and you're definitely not alone.

At Bad Skin, located inside Sola Salons in downtown Redwood City, we see countless patients across the Bay Area struggling with hormonal breakouts. Whether you're in your teens, 20s, 30s, 40s or beyond, hormonal acne can affect people of all genders and skin types.

The good news? With the right approach, hormonal acne is absolutely treatable. Let’s break down what causes it, how to recognize it, and — most importantly — how to treat it effectively.

What is Hormonal Acne?

Hormonal acne is triggered by fluctuations in hormones like androgens (testosterone), estrogen, and progesterone. These hormones affect your skin’s oil production, inflammation, and cell turnover, leading to breakouts.

It often shows up as:

• Cystic pimples along the jawline or chin

• Painful, under-the-skin nodules

• Flare-ups around your menstrual cycle, during menopause, or from stress

• Adult acne that won’t clear up with over-the-counter products

Unlike teen acne (which usually spreads across the T-zone), hormonal acne is more localized and often stubborn.

Common Causes of Hormonal Acne

• Menstrual Cycle: Estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate, triggering breakouts.

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A common hormonal condition that often causes acne.

• Pregnancy or Postpartum: Hormonal shifts can wreak havoc on the skin.

• Stopping or Starting Birth Control: Changes in hormone levels can cause flare-ups.

• High Stress Levels: Elevated cortisol disrupts hormonal balance.

• Diet: High dairy and sugar intake may exacerbate hormonal acne in some people.

How to Treat Hormonal Acne Effectively

1. Topical Treatments for Symptom Relief

While topical products can’t fix hormone imbalances, they help manage symptoms like inflammation, clogged pores, and post-acne marks.

Best ingredients include:

• Retinoids (Retinol, Tretinoin): Help with cell turnover and unclog pores.

• Salicylic Acid: A BHA that dives deep into pores to dissolve excess oil.

• Benzoyl Peroxide: Kills acne-causing bacteria and reduces inflammation.

• Azelaic Acid: Brightens dark spots and helps calm redness.

• Niacinamide: Regulates oil and soothes irritation.

We often recommend a tailored skincare routine at Bad Skin that includes these ingredients in balanced concentrations, especially for those with sensitive or combination skin.

2. In-Office Acne Treatments at Bad Skin

While good skincare at home lays the foundation, professional treatments are game-changers for hormonal acne.

💥 Chemical Peels

Light to medium peels using salicylic, glycolic, or mandelic acid exfoliate the skin, reduce inflammation, and brighten post-acne pigmentation. These are safe and effective for acne-prone and melanin-rich skin types when customized properly.

💥 Microneedling

Microneedling improves acne scars, regulates oil production, and enhances the penetration of acne-fighting ingredients. It also triggers collagen renewal, which helps firm skin post-breakout.

💥 Laser Treatments

Laser therapies (like UltraClear™ or other fractional lasers) help target acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, and inflammation. While they won’t address the hormones, they tackle the damage hormonal acne leaves behind.

💥 LED Light Therapy

Blue light kills acne-causing bacteria, while red light calms inflammation and supports healing. This non-invasive option is great as an add-on to facials or post-laser recovery.

3. Prescription Medications (We Collaborate!)

If your acne is severe, unresponsive to topicals, or recurring monthly, we often refer clients to work with their primary care physician, OB/GYN, or dermatologist for medication support.

Options may include:

• Oral contraceptives (birth control): Help regulate estrogen and androgen levels.

• Spironolactone: A favorite for adult women with jawline or cystic acne; blocks excess androgens.

• Isotretinoin (Accutane): A more aggressive route for severe, scarring acne.

If you're on any of these, we can adjust your in-clinic treatments and skincare to support your results while minimizing side effects like dryness or sensitivity.

4. Lifestyle and Holistic Considerations

Hormonal acne isn’t just about what’s on your skin — it’s also about what’s happening inside your body.

✅ Stress Reduction: Try breathwork, meditation, or movement to lower cortisol.
✅ Diet Tweaks: Reducing sugar, dairy, and processed foods can help some individuals.
✅ Sleep & Hydration: Consistent sleep and hydration improve skin healing.
✅ Supplement Wisely: Zinc, DIM, and Omega-3s may help regulate hormones (always check with your healthcare provider).

We believe in a whole-picture approach to skin health. At Bad Skin, we work with you — not just your skin — to find the right balance of medical, clinical, and lifestyle interventions.

Why Hormonal Acne Needs Personalized Care

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to hormonal acne. Some clients need gentle, calming routines; others require more active treatments and prescriptions. At Bad Skin, we customize every plan based on your:

• Skin type and tone

• Sensitivity level

• Acne history

• Hormonal patterns

• Goals (preventing vs treating vs scarring)

You deserve more than a generic answer — you deserve a treatment plan that evolves with your skin.

Serving the Bay Area — and Every Face in It

We proudly treat clients from all over the Bay Area, not just Redwood City. Whether you're visiting from:

San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, Belmont, Foster City, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Burlingame, Millbrae, South San Francisco, Daly City, Fremont, Hayward, Union City, Los Altos, Los Gatos, or San Jose — you’re welcome here.

Located inside Sola Salons in downtown Redwood City, Bad Skin offers a warm, non-judgmental space where breakouts don’t define you — and where every skin journey is supported with intention.