Your Girl Knows’ product recommendations are handpicked by our editorial team and given the seal of approval by Harman herself. When you buy something through our affiliate links, we might earn a little commission—at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products we genuinely love. Please read my Disclosure Policy for additional information.
Hormonal acne. These two words send shivers down my spine, not kidding. Whether it’s those stubborn breakouts right around your jawline or surprise zits showing up just before an important event, dealing with hormonal acne can feel like an uphill battle.
I knowwww because I’ve been there, but let’s just try it this time holistically and see if it works (which I’m almost sure does, but you cannot really tell with hormonal acne, right?).
What Exactly Is Hormonal Acne?
Ugh, hormones. They’re the puppet masters behind so many body changes, and acne is no exception! Hormonal acne happens when your body produces excess androgens (read: hormones that stimulate oil production).
More oil = clogged pores = hello, breakout city. While it often appears during puberty, it can also sneak up during periods, pregnancy, or even stress-induced hormone swings (thanks, deadlines!).
How Do I Know If My Acne Is Hormonal?
Not all acne is created equal, so how do you spot the hormonal kind? Here’s the deal:
- Timing is everything: Does your acne peek around your period like an old frenemy? Yep, likely hormonal.
- Location, location, location: Breakouts around your jawline and chin are a classic sign.
- Those deep, painful bumps: If your pimples feel more like tiny landmines than surface-level bumps, it’s hormonal acne waving hello.
If this sounds all too familiar, you’re likely dealing with hormonal acne.
Will It Go Away On Its Own?
Hormonal acne might go away on its own, but it largely depends on what’s causing it and how your body balances hormones over time. Here’s what you need to know for your acne:
When Hormonal Acne Might Just Disappear (Yes, Please!)
- Teenage Hormones Doing the Most: If you’re in your teens or early 20s, there’s hope! Hormonal acne often mellows out as your body finds its groove and those wild hormone levels start to chill.
- Short-Term Triggers? No Problem: Acne caused by fleeting things like stress, diet changes, or your monthly period (shoutout to PMS 🙄) can clear up once those triggers settle. Phew.
When Hormonal Acne Likes to Stick Around (Ugh!)
- If Something Bigger’s at Play: Conditions like PCOS, chronic stress, or hormone imbalances can keep acne around longer. The good news? Treating the root cause can often help it fade.
- Adulting Is Hard Enough: Hormonal acne doesn’t automatically disappear once you hit 30—rude, right? For some, it sticks around well into their 30s and beyond, especially when linked to lifestyle, genetics, or ongoing hormonal shifts.
- Your Skincare & Diet May Be Sabotaging You: Using harsh products? Barely washing your face? Living off sugary snacks? All of these can make acne hang around like that one guest who refuses to leave the party.
How can hormonal acne be treated for real this time?
See, I would always always ask you to see a dermatologist for hormonal or cystic acne before indulging in any home remedies yourself because these are the kinds that easily get bad and you won’t even know why and how.
That being said, everything that I am recommending below is natural, so (mostly) safe for everybody and will rarely have any bad effects. But the problem with hormonal acne is you never know what will trigger, so you have to be very, very diligent.
1. Have Breakfast Within 1 Hour of Waking Up
Starting your day with a wholesome breakfast can actually help balance your hormones. When blood sugar levels spike and drop throughout the day (especially if you skip breakfast), your body may produce more sebum, causing acne.
Try eating a combo of healthy fats, proteins, and carbs—think avocado toast with an egg or Greek yogurt with berries. Fluffy pancakes with nut butter? Yes, please! 😋
2. Add Fruits to Your Meals Daily
Nature’s candy isn’t just delicious—it’s packed with vitamins and antioxidants that fight inflammation from the inside out. Berries, oranges, and papaya are your skin’s BFFs.
3. Have Coffee After Your First Meal
Sorry, coffee-first-things people—this one’s important! Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can mess with your cortisol levels (hello, stress hormone!) and lead to breakouts.
Instead, sip on your favorite latte after breakfast. You’ll still get that much-needed caffeine boost, but without the skin drama.
4. Sip on Kombucha for Gut Love
Acne and gut health? They’re surprisingly connected. Kombucha is a tasty way to boost probiotics, which help maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
Probiotics teach your digestion system to chill, and when your gut’s happy, it often leads to clearer skin. Don’t love the tang of kombucha? Try mixing it with a splash of fruit juice for a mocktail moment!
5. Incorporate Amla & Ginger Juice Almost Daily
Amla (Indian gooseberry) is loaded with vitamin C, while ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Together, they’re a skin-clearing dream team.
You can make a quick juice by blending amla powder with ginger, lemon, and honey for sweetness. Sip it cold in the morning for a zesty, acne-fighting start to your day.
6. Cut Back on Sugar, Dairy, and Processed Foods
I’m not saying you have to swear off desserts forever (because life without cake? No thanks), but reducing your intake of sugar, dairy, and overly processed snacks can help.
These foods may spike insulin levels and trigger breakouts. Instead, swap out sugary treats for dark chocolate or replace that cheesy sandwich with a hummus veggie wrap.
7. Keep Your Pillowcases, Phone, and Hands Clean
Did you know your pillowcase could be acting as a sponge for oil and bacteria? Gross, right? Wash them weekly and use a silk pillowcase if possible—it’s gentler on your skin.
Don’t forget to disinfect your phone screen and avoid touching your face, especially when scrolling TikTok!
8. Try Omega-3s, Zinc, or Evening Primrose Oil
Supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and evening primrose oil can work wonders for your skin. Omega-3s help reduce inflammation, zinc aids in skin healing, and evening primrose oil can regulate hormone levels.
But always check with a healthcare professional before introducing supplements into your routine. Don’t stress—you can also find omega-3s in salmon or flaxseeds!
9. Manage Stress with Deep Breathing and Self-Care
Stress wreaks havoc on your hormones, often creating the perfect storm for acne flare-ups. Take control by dedicating 10 minutes daily to deep breathing exercises. Apps like Calm or Headspace make it easy.
Or unwind with activities you genuinely love—reading, journaling, or treating yourself to a bubble bath with candles (because you totally deserve it).
What would be the best skincare routine for hormonal acne?
1. Stick to Sulfate-Free Cleansers with AHA and BHAs
Hormonal acne loves chaos, so we need calm. Sulfate-free is the way to go—it gently cleanses without throwing your skin’s natural barrier into full panic mode.
Look for cleansers with AHAs (like glycolic acid) or BHAs (like salicylic acid) to gently exfoliate and clear clogged pores.
shop The Look
2. Wipe Your Face with Glycolic Acid Toner
Think of glycolic acid toner as your secret weapon for smoother, clearer skin. It sloughs away dead skin cells and helps reduce the likelihood of breakouts. Use it after cleansing to refresh your skin and prep it for whatever comes next.
shop The Look
3. Nighttime Love: Targeted Treatments
Even acne needs a little one-on-one attention. Use targeted treatments with salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or retinoids after cleansing at night.
They go to battle against your pimples directly where it’s needed, helping to reduce inflammation and clear out clogged pores.
4. Pair Active Serums for Double the Goodness
I’ll tell you why I like layering serums even when you’re skin is blasting with acne. First, over-exfoliating with AHA/BHAs will 100% worsen your skin’s barrier; hence, acne will never disappear. So, you neeeeeed to hydrate the skin simultaneously.
A perfect duo for hormonal acne is a salicylic acid serum to tackle breakouts and an alpha arbutin serum to hydrate, brighten, even out, and fade any spots left behind. Please wait for each serum to absorb first and then layer.
shop The Look
5. Hydrate with a Non-Comedogenic Gel-Based Moisturizer
Just because you have acne doesn’t mean you should skip moisturizer. A gel-based, non-comedogenic (aka won’t clog your pores) moisturizer is perfect for hydrating without feeling greasy. It seals in all the goodness from your serums and treatments, leaving your skin happy and healthy.
shop The Look
6. Try Retinol – Carefully!
If you’re feeling bold, retinol can be a game-changer for hormonal acne. It speeds up cell turnover, unclogs pores, and reduces scars. Just remember, retinol and sunlight do NOT mix, so keep it strictly a nighttime affair.
Use it sparingly (every other night at most) to avoid irritation. And always, ALWAYS follow up with sunscreen the next morning if you use retinol. No excuses!
shop The Look
7. Bring in Weekly Chemical Peels
Once a week, treat your skin to a chemical peel designed to fade scars and keep acne at bay. These exfoliating treatments help refine your skin texture while nipping breakouts in the bud. Look for peels with mandelic, lactic, or glycolic acid for a gentle yet effective glow-up.
I have only used and truly loved The Ordinary’s chemical peel. It’s cheap, super effective and shows results FAST!
shop The Look
💡 Gentle reminder: Patch-test any new peel on your skin first—you don’t want surprises (or redness)!
8. Say Hello to Clay Masks
Hormonal acne often comes with excess oil, and that’s where clay masks step in like heroes. Once a week, pamper your skin with a clay mask to deep-clean your pores and zap all that extra oil without drying your face out.
Only apply the mask on your T-zone if you notice dryness on other parts of your face. Less is more! To know more about how to use it to clear away acne in 7 days, read this fantastic guide on Aztec clay mask.
shop The Look
Related articles to how to treat Hormonal Acne
- 10 Pro Gym Skin Tips for Workout Babes Everywhere (Bye Acne!)
- How to Get Rid of Pimples OVERNIGHT: 6 DIYs That Work!
- Tried Everything? Here’s How to Get Rid of Forehead Acne for Real
- How to Treat Back Acne Like immediately – 10 Practical & Effective Remedies
- I Swear by This the Ordinary Skincare Routine for Acne & It Has Changed My Skin!
- 11 BEST Drugstore Products for Acne Scarring YOU Don’t Wanna Miss
- Closed Comedones Treatment 101 – Fast Solutions for Bumpy Skin Problems
