Treatments and Natural Remedies for Hormonal Acne

How long does hormonal acne take to go away?

The exact timeline for hormonal acne varies from person to person. It typically takes 8 to 16 weeks for a new acne treatment plan to take full effect.

Where is hormonal acne usually located?

Hormonal acne most often appears on your face in the T-zone, which includes your forehead, nose, and chin.

Key takeaways

• Hormonal acne is linked to hormone changes during puberty and adulthood, and it is especially common in women. It often shows up in the T-zone during puberty and along the jawline in adults.
• Treatment depends on the type and severity of acne and may include topical retinoids, other topical medications, oral contraceptives, or anti-androgen drugs. Over-the-counter products often do not work unless the hormonal acne is mild.
• Natural remedies like tea tree oil, alpha hydroxy acid products, and topical green tea have limited and mixed research support, so talk with a health professional first. If acne persists, ask about a long-term plan and expect new treatments to take 8 to 16 weeks to work fully.

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that may cause oily skin, spots, and pimples to develop on your face and upper body.

Research suggests that up to

Adults may also experience acne due to hormonal changes caused by:

• menstruation
• menopause
• polycystic ovarian syndrome
• stress

Keep reading to learn more about how to treat hormonal acne.

What are the different types of hormonal acne?

Treatment for hormonal acne may depend on the type of acne you have and the severity of symptoms. The different types of acne Treatment for hormonal acne will aim to help reduce symptoms and prevent complications, such as acne scars. Your treatment plan may include a combination of lifestyle changes, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and medical treatments.

Topical retinoids

Topical retinoids may help treat mild to moderate hormonal acne. Some retinoids

• tretinoin
• tazarotene (Tazorac)
• adapalene (Differin gel)
• trifarotene

Topical retinoids are available OTC at pharmacies in the form of creams, gels, and lotions. If OTC retinoids aren’t effective, a doctor may prescribe a stronger topical retinoid.

Other common topical medications for hormonal acne may include:

Oral contraceptives

Oral contraceptives can be used to help treat hormonal acne in people assigned female at birth.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved

• drospirenone (Yaz)
• norgestimate
• norethindrone

Together, these ingredients target the hormones that can contribute to acne. This can be especially helpful during peaks in hormones, such as ovulation.

Oral contraceptives may not be an option for you if you have a history of blood clots, high blood pressure, or breast cancer. You also shouldn’t take these if you smoke.

Learn more about birth control for acne.

Anti-androgen drugs

Anti-androgen drugs can help reduce acne by decreasing the male hormone androgen. Too much androgen in your body can

Spironolactone (Aldactone) is primarily used to treat high blood pressure, but it could also help prevent your body from producing more androgen and allow your hormone levels to stabilize.

In some cases, natural remedies may help treat mild hormonal acne.

However, it’s important to note the research on their effectiveness is limited, and mixed. Natural remedies may not be as effective as OTC and medical treatments.

As such, it’s best to speak with a doctor about the potential risks, interactions, and treatment alternatives.

Skin patch test

Before trying a natural remedy for hormonal acne, consider doing a skin patch test to identify and prevent potential allergies.

To do this, apply a small amount of the diluted product to the inside of your wrist. If you don’t experience any irritation or inflammation within 24 hours, it should be safe to apply elsewhere.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil may

Tea tree oil is available in skin care products like cleansers and toners. You can also use tea tree essential oil as a spot treatment.

Dilute tea tree essential oil with a carrier oil before use. Popular carrier oils include coconut, jojoba, and olive. Add about 12 drops of carrier oil to every one to two drops of essential oil.

Alpha hydroxy acid

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are plant acids derived mostly from citrus fruits. AHAs are a

AHAs can be found in many OTC masks and creams. As with retinoids, AHAs can increase your skin’s sun sensitivity. You should always wear sunscreen when using products with AHA.

Green tea

Topical green tea solutions can

You can also try drinking a few cups of green tea daily. However, minimal research exists on the benefits of drinking green tea for acne.

The association between diet and hormonal acne isn’t fully understood.

If you have hormonal acne, you may consider limiting sugar, dairy, and refined carbs, such as white bread and pasta.

On the other hand, foods high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon may

Learn more about the best diet and supplements for hormonal acne.

To clear up hormonal acne and keep it at bay it’s important to establish an appropriate skincare routine.

Consider trying the following:

• Wash your face in the morning and again in the evening.
• Apply no more than a pea-sized amount of any acne product. Applying too much can dry out your skin and increase irritation.
• Wear sunscreen every day.
• Use only noncomedogenic products to reduce your risk of clogged pores.

Learn more about how to take care of your skin.

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