Do Hormones Cause Acne?

If you've ever noticed a breakout right before your period, during a stressful stretch, or seemingly out of nowhere in your 30s or 40s, you've probably wondered: do hormones cause acne?

The short answer is that hormones are one of the biggest influencers of acne, for teens and adults alike. Here's how they work, and what you can do about it.

Hormones and Adult Acne

Both adult men and women can be affected by hormonal acne, though it often shows up differently for each.

Hormonal Acne in Women

Women in particular navigate an ever-changing landscape of both macro and micro hormonal shifts.

Macro changes happen during the various "seasons" of life: adolescence, pregnancy, postpartum, thyroid changes, peri-menopause, and menopause. Hormone imbalances during any of these times can lead to breakouts.

This is why so many women experience breakouts along the jawline and chin in their 30s, 40s, and beyond — even if they never struggled with acne as teens.

Micro changes happen more frequently throughout the month. They can be tied to your menstrual cycle or influenced by stress, irregular sleep, birth control, hormone replacement therapy, and more.

Hormonal Acne in Men

Men can also experience acne as adults, though a larger percentage of men find their acne resolves in their early-to-mid 20s. That's because testosterone production, which surges during adolescence, begins to plateau and gradually lessen over the years.

Hormones and Teen Acne

Hormones are a major influencer of acne as teens go through puberty. When certain hormones increase, hair follicles produce more oil. That excess oil mixes with dead skin cells and clogs follicles leading to persistent breakouts.

Hormone fluctuations can also influence inflammation in the skin, which can make existing acne worse.

What Can You Do if Hormones Are Influencing Your Acne?

Sometimes hormonal shifts simply have to be ridden out, like during the teen years. But that doesn't mean you're powerless. Here are three ways to take control.

Follow a Proven Clear Skin Strategy

Even when hormones are working against you, the right skincare strategy can keep acne in check. Our Clear Skin Program starts by healing and hydrating your skin, then progressively adds active skincare to clear and prevent acne as your skin adapts.

Hormones may set the stage, but consistent habits determine how your skin responds.

Check Your Birth Control

Birth control has a reputation for helping clear up acne, but many types can actually contribute to breakouts. Check out our Acne Birth Control Guide to see if your birth control may be influencing your acne.

Get Answers with The Acne Lab Blood Test

If you want to rule out hormone imbalances as a trigger for your acne, we recommend The Acne Lab Blood Test for anyone age 16 and older.

This blood test looks for hormone imbalances in both men and women. If you suspect you have hormonal acne — breakouts concentrated on your jawline or chin, cystic acne, breakouts that follow your cycle, or a suspicion of PCOS — this test can help identify whether hormones are a trigger for your acne.

It also takes a comprehensive look at many common underlying factors that drive acne, including inflammation, immune dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, digestive or detox issues, and metabolic disruptions.

The Bottom Line

Hormones don't just "cause" acne on their own — they're powerful influencers that interact with your skin, your habits, and your overall health. The good news? You can have healthy, clear skin, even when your hormones have other plans. Understanding your triggers is the first step, and we're here to guide you through every step after that.