· 2 min read

Which Hormones Are Responsible For Acne?

Which Hormones Are Responsible For Acne?

If you have ever struggled with acne, you know that it feels like the end of the world. Hours are spent in front of the mirror trying to figure out the solution to make the acne disappear. Then out comes the anti-acne creams and if they are unable to do the trick, the classic ‘popping the pimple’ never lets you down. You achieve your goal of having acne-free skin at the cost of an acne scar but you are totally fine with that.

Two weeks later, you notice the pimples and blackheads coming back.  Hopeless, all that you can do now is ask yourself  ‘why?’ and pray to the skin Gods that your acne disappears.

Now we can’t tell you whether the skin Gods have heard your cries but what we can tell is that the reason that your acne keep coming back can be hormones, Yes! Hormones, those little monsters inside your body that are always up to something.  You might be thinking that hormonal acne is something that only teenagers face but unfortunately, that’s not the case. Men and women who are way past their teenage years can experience hormonal acne as well.  Listed below are the hormone that can are known to cause acne:

Testosterone: High levels of testosterone are one the major causative factors of acne. Testosterone over-stimulates the oil glands in the skin and boosts the production of sebum.  This sebum blocks the pores of the skin which in turn causes acne. Even though testosterone belongs to a class of male hormones, female ovaries also produce it in small quantities.

Androgen: In women, the hormone androgen can be held responsible for acne. Just like testosterone, high androgen levels increase the production of sebum which can trigger acne. In addition to that, it can cause inflammation of the skin and make the skin vulnerable to Propionibacterium- a bacteria known to cause acne.

Estrogen: A decrease in estrogen levels can trigger acne around menopause. Menopausal acne can also be caused due to hormone replacement therapies (HRTs). This is mainly because of the hormone progestin that is used to make up for the reduced levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body.

Note: Hormone-related health disorders like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can also trigger acne.

If you are unable to narrow down the cause of your acne, it is best to seek the help of a Dermatologist to understand the potential causes and start an effective treatment process. You can talk to a Dermatologist privately within minutes on DocsApp.

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