Hormonal acne is a common skin concern that affects people at various stages of life, including teenagers, pregnant women, and adults. These hormonal breakouts can be difficult to manage, often leading to frustration. While teenage acne is well-known, hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy and adulthood can also cause severe acne.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into the causes of hormonal acne during puberty, pregnancy-related acne, and adult hormonal acne. By understanding these triggers and learning the best acne treatments for hormonal imbalances, you can effectively manage your breakouts and maintain healthier, clearer skin.

Hormonal acne is a type of acne caused by fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly an increase in androgens like testosterone. These hormones stimulate excess sebum (oil) production in the skin, leading to clogged pores and the formation of acne. Hormonal acne is most commonly seen in teenagers, pregnant women, and adults, especially women during their menstrual cycle or those with conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

This type of acne usually appears on the lower part of the face, including the chin, jawline, and cheeks. Unlike typical acne, hormonal acne is often deeper, more cystic, and can be painful. It's also more likely to recur if hormone levels remain unbalanced.

Common Symptoms of Hormonal Acne:

• Painful, cystic breakouts on the jawline and chin
• Deep, inflamed pimples that don’t easily come to a head
• Acne that flares up around menstruation or hormonal changes

Understanding the hormonal triggers behind your acne can help you find the right treatment options. Whether you’re a teenager dealing with puberty-related acne or an adult managing acne due to stress or hormonal imbalances, there are solutions to help reduce breakouts and improve skin health.

Hormonal Acne in Teenagers

Hormonal acne is particularly common during the teenage years, as puberty triggers a surge in hormones called androgens. These hormones, especially testosterone, cause the sebaceous glands to produce excess oil (sebum), which can lead to clogged pores and acne. Teenagers often experience acne on the face, chest, and back, with blackheads, whiteheads, and painful cystic breakouts being common.

The teenage years are a critical time for skin health, as young skin is still developing and is often more sensitive. It's important to use products that help manage breakouts without stripping the skin of its natural moisture.

Source: https://skinmart.com.au/blogs/news/you-re-not-defined-by-your-hormonal-adult-acne

How to Manage Hormonal Acne in Teenagers:

• Gentle Cleansing: A key part of managing acne is maintaining clean skin without using harsh products that can irritate or dry out the skin.
• Targeted Acne Treatment: Spot treatments containing active ingredients like salicylic acid can help reduce the severity of breakouts.

Glowfully Product Recommendations:

1. Charcoal Beads Gel Cleanser
   The Glowfully Charcoal Beads Gel Cleanser is perfect for teenage skin because it provides a deep cleanse without being too harsh. The active ingredient, encapsulated charcoal powder, helps to draw out impurities from the pores, preventing them from becoming clogged. Plus, the sulfate-free formula is gentle on the skin, maintaining its natural moisture balance and avoiding the over-drying that many acne products cause.

   

    

2. Blemish Treatment Gel
   For targeted acne treatment, the Glowfully Blemish Treatment Gel is an excellent choice. It contains 2% salicylic acid, a powerful ingredient for exfoliating and unclogging pores, and tea tree oil, which has natural antibacterial properties. Additionally, oleanolic acid helps reduce excess sebum production by blocking testosterone synthesis in the skin, a key trigger of teenage acne. The combination of ingredients works to both treat existing breakouts and prevent future ones.

By incorporating gentle yet effective products like these into a skincare routine, teenagers can better manage their hormonal acne while keeping their skin healthy and balanced.

Hormonal Acne During Pregnancy

• Cause: Hormonal changes during pregnancy, especially increased progesterone, can lead to excess sebum production.
• Challenges: Pregnant women often find themselves limited in terms of acne treatment options due to the safety of certain medications.
• Symptoms: Similar to other hormonal acne but can be exacerbated by stress and changes in diet during pregnancy.
• How to manage acne during Pregnancy:
  • Safe Skincare Options: Products with azelaic acid or glycolic acid are generally considered safe during pregnancy. Avoid retinoids and salicylic acid (Low concentrations salicyclic acid (usually below 2%) are generally deemed safe for topical use during pregnancy)*
  • Lifestyle Adjustments: Stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet, and avoid overly greasy foods that might exacerbate acne

Glowfully Product Recommendations:

1. Glowfully Blemish Treatment Gel:  The Glowfully Blemish Treatment Gel contains 2% salicylic acid, which falls within the concentration range deemed safe for use during pregnancy. Many doctors recommend sticking to products with salicylic acid concentrations of 2% or lower to avoid any risks. This gentle yet powerful acne treatment works by exfoliating the skin, unclogging pores, and reducing inflammation. It also includes tea tree oil, known for its antibacterial properties, and oleanolic acid, which helps regulate sebum production—perfect for addressing the hormonal changes that contribute to pregnancy acne.

Hormonal Acne in Adults

• Cause: Hormonal acne in adults is typically linked to menstruation, birth control changes, stress, or conditions like PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).
• Symptoms: Adults tend to experience acne along the jawline and chin, which is often deeper and more cystic than teenage acne.
• Psychological Impact: Acne in adulthood can impact confidence, especially in professional or social settings.

Glowfully Product Recommendations:

1. Healing Elixir: For anyone dealing with acne, choosing a lightweight moisturizer is essential. Glowfully’s Healing Elixir is a best-selling gel moisturizer formulated to calm skin sensitivity and reduce redness. With its oil-free and silicone-free formulation, it’s perfect for those worried about clogged pores or exacerbating acne. Despite being lightweight, this moisturizer provides deep nourishment, making it ideal for humid climates where heavier products can feel too greasy. This gentle, soothing formula helps to balance the skin without causing breakouts.
2. Blemish Treatment Gel: Glowfully’s Blemish Treatment Gel provides an effective solution. Formulated with 2% salicylic acid, it helps exfoliate the skin and unclog pores without being too harsh, making it suitable for long-term use on adult skin. The inclusion of tea tree oil adds a natural antibacterial boost, helping to fight acne-causing bacteria, while oleanolic acid works to regulate sebum production by blocking the synthesis of testosterone in the skin—one of the key culprits behind hormonal acne.
   
3. 7 Days Brightening Rescue Mask: After a breakout, the marks left behind can be just as frustrating as the acne itself. Glowfully’s 7 Days Brightening Rescue Mask is a multi-action mask designed to soothe, hydrate, and brighten the skin. The mask is made with anti-inflammatory ingredients that calm any lingering sensitivity and redness, while hydrating agents deliver moisture without leaving an oily residue. Plus, its brightening components help speed up the fading of post-acne marks, helping your skin recover more quickly after a breakout.

References:

• Hormonal Acne Causes
  "Hormonal acne is caused by fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly an increase in androgens like testosterone..."
  Reference: American Academy of Dermatology Association. "Hormonal factors key to understanding acne in women." Retrieved from: aad.org

• Androgens Trigger Excess Sebum Production
  "These hormones stimulate excess sebum (oil) production in the skin..."
  Reference: Mayo Clinic. "Acne." Retrieved from: mayoclinic.org

• Hormonal Acne Appears on Lower Face
  "This type of acne usually appears on the lower part of the face, including the chin, jawline, and cheeks..."
  Reference: Healthline. "What is Hormonal Acne, and How Do You Treat It?" Retrieved from: healthline.com

• Salicylic Acid as a Safe Treatment for Acne
  "Salicylic acid is a widely recommended acne treatment ingredient that works by exfoliating the skin and unclogging pores..."
  Reference: Journal of Dermatological Treatment, “The Role of Topical Salicylic Acid in Acne Management.”

• Salicylic Acid During Pregnancy
  "Doctors recommend products with salicylic acid concentrations of 2% or lower to avoid any risks during pregnancy..."
  Reference: Medical News Today. "Salicylic acid during pregnancy: Safe skin care and products to avoid." Retrieved from: medicalnewstoday.com

• Tea Tree Oil for Acne Treatment
  "Tea tree oil has natural antibacterial properties, helping to reduce acne-causing bacteria..."
  Reference: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). "Tea Tree Oil." Retrieved from: nccih.nih.gov

• Oleanolic Acid for Sebum Regulation
  "Oleanolic acid helps reduce excess sebum production by blocking testosterone synthesis in the skin..."
  Reference: Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. "Oleanolic acid as an inhibitor of sebum production in acne treatment."

• Azelaic Acid for Pregnancy-Safe Acne Treatment
  "Products with azelaic acid or glycolic acid are generally considered safe during pregnancy..."
  Reference: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). "Safe Skincare Ingredients During Pregnancy." Retrieved from: acog.org

• Hydration and Balanced Diet for Acne Control
  "Staying hydrated and eating a balanced diet helps reduce acne breakouts and keep skin healthy..."
  Reference: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. "Diet and acne: A review of the evidence."

• Psychological Impact of Adult Acne
  "Adult acne can have significant psychological impacts, affecting confidence in professional and social settings..."
  Reference: British Journal of Dermatology. "The Psychological Impact of Acne in Adulthood."