Makeup and certain lotions can cause acne flare-ups to happen if they are too oily or thick. In addition, conditioners can make the skin too greasy if it's not thoroughly rinsed out of your hair. Medications. Some medications, most commonly steroids, can alter hormone balances in the body and lead to acne.
Certain things may trigger or worsen acne: Hormonal changes. Androgens are hormones that increase in boys and girls during puberty and cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. Hormone changes during midlife, particularly in women, can lead to breakouts too.
Excess oil production: When your skin produces too much oil, it can trap dead skin cells and bacteria inside pores, leading to inflammation. Hormonal changes: Hormones can play a big role in inflamed acne, particularly during puberty, menstruation, or times of high stress, which can increase oil production.
Stress acne typically presents as an array of small, red or pink pimples that can be scattered across various areas of the face. These facial acne pimples often take the form of whiteheads or blackheads and can progress into pustules, which are red, pus-filled bumps, or papules, which are small, raised bumps.
Fortunately, hormonal acne can be easy to identify. Breakouts on the chin and jawline are directly linked to the reproductive organs of the body, so hormonal acne will almost always present itself there. Recurrent breakouts are also highly likely to be hormonal.
If acne suddenly starts in adult women, it can be a sign of a hormonal imbalance, especially if it's accompanied by other symptoms such as: excessive body hair (hirsutism) irregular or light periods.
Acne is a common issue for many people, especially for teenagers and young adults in their 20s. Some have mild symptoms, while others can have very severe issues. Acne effects around 90% of adolescents with the prime age across all genders being the teenage years of 14-19 years old.
High-dose vitamins B6 and B12 have also been linked to rosacea fulminans, a condition that looks like acne. Rosacea is marked by large red bumps and pustules that typically appear on the nose, chin, and/or cheeks.
Although vaping does not appear to directly cause acne, certain chemicals in e-cigarettes and the device itself could irritate the skin and worsen acne. The liquid inside an e-cigarette contains many substances that may cause skin irritation, such as diacetyl, diethylene glycol, cadmium, and benzene.
Research shows B6 supplementation regulated hormones and reduced premenstrual acne over two months. Additionally, low levels of B-vitamins generally are linked to skin issues like acne, dermatitis, rashes and sensitivity. Optimal intake can prevent deficiency-associated skin disorders.
Stress acne commonly appears on the face, especially on the forehead, jawline, and cheeks. However, it can also develop on other oil-prone areas like the back or chest.
Benzoyl peroxide works as an antiseptic to reduce the number of bacteria on the surface of the skin. It also helps to reduce the number of whiteheads and blackheads, and has an anti-inflammatory effect.
PCOS-related acne often flares on the lower face, including the jawline, chin, and upper neck. Although not a hard and fast rule, these areas are considered to be a hormonal pattern for acne. Women with PCOS may notice that acne lesions are deeper, larger, and slower to resolve.
"When you get it from a medicine, it tends to all look the same. It's all little, red papules or it's all little pustules, and they're kind of all the same shape and size. That's the giveaway that it could be medicine-related." Acneiform drug eruptions can happen in someone with no history of true acne, Garner says.
Best for Hormonal Acne: Differin with 5% BP
“This cleanser with five percent BP is quite gentle. It's a great option to remove all the oil and impurities without over-stripping your skin,” says Dr. Kim. Benzoyl peroxide is also one of the best acne-fighting ingredients.
Some of the best contraceptive pills for acne include Yasmin, Rigevidon and Cerelle, all of which contain hormones that can help to regulate and reduce the severity of acne. If you are experiencing severe hormonal acne, it is best to speak to your doctor about which type of contraception is best for you.