WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUTHORMONAL ACNE 

FRUSTRATION WITH PERSISTEN BREAKOUTS

• Hormonal acne is often described as a cyclical issue, with flare-ups closely tied to menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or periods of heightened stress.
• Common complaints include painful, cystic breakouts concentrated along the jawline, chin, and neck.
• Beyond physical symptoms, many individuals highlight the emotional toll including low self-esteem, stress, and anxiety about their skin's appearance are recurring concerns. It’s a struggle combined with frustration.
• Learn more about hormonal acne.

CHALLENGES WITH SKINCARE PRODUCTS

• The overwhelming variety of skincare products and treatments often leaves people feeling confused and disheartened, with many expressing frustrations that they’ve "tried everything" without success.
• Sensitivity to active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or retinoids adds to the challenge, as some people experience irritation, dryness, or worsening breakouts.

AWARNESS AND USE OF SUPPLEMENTS LIKE DIM (DIINDOLYLMETHANE)

• DIM, a supplement derived from cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and kale, is gaining popularity for its ability to balance hormones by promoting healthy estrogen metabolism.
• Many users report significant improvements in hormonal acne, particularly with painful cystic breakouts along the jawline and neck. DIM is especially noted among those with estrogen dominance or PCOS.
• Awareness of DIM remains limited, with most people learning about it through social media, online forums, or holistic health practitioners. It’s often considered a hidden gem in hormonal acne solutions.
• Learn more about DIM supplement.

STRUGGLES WITH MISDIAGNOSIS OR TRIAL-AND-ERROR

• Many individuals report a prolonged journey of trial-and-error before finding an effective treatment. This often involves consulting multiple dermatologists or experimenting with various products and regimens.
• Misdiagnoses, such as confusing fungal acne with hormonal acne or overlooking underlying hormonal imbalances, are common frustrations.

WHAT HELPED PEOPLE TO SOLVE HORMONAL ACNE

DIET AND LIFESTYLE CHANGES

• Eliminating Dairy: Reducing or removing dairy—particularly skim milk—has helped many individuals. Dairy’s impact on insulin and hormone levels is thought to trigger breakouts.
• Low-Glycemic Diet: Switching to a diet lower in sugar and refined carbohydrates is frequently cited as beneficial for reducing insulin spikes and stabilizing acne severity.
• Spearmint Tea: Consumed for its anti-androgenic properties, spearmint tea (1–2 cups daily) has helped some people balance hormones and reduce acne flare-ups.
• Stress Management: Incorporating stress-relieving activities like yoga, meditation, or regular exercise has shown to reduce stress-induced breakouts and improve overall well-being.
• Learn about which food can trigger acne.

SKINCARE ROUTINE

• Gentle Cleansing: Many individuals report improvements after switching to sulfate-free cleansers that clean without stripping the skin of natural oils. Try Dermala’s Best CLEANSE Forever®, AM/PM Cleanser for acne-prone skin.
• Non-Comedogenic Products: Transitioning to non-comedogenic moisturizers, makeup, and sunscreen prevents pore-clogging and allows the skin to breathe. Try Dermala’s OAT So Sweet™ Daily Moisturizer for acne-prone skin.
• Targeted Treatments:
• Salicylic Acid: An excellent choice for unclogging pores and addressing blackheads. Try Dermala’s SCANTILY Pad® AM/PM Acne Treatment.
• Azelaic Acid: Known for its anti-inflammatory and skin-brightening properties, it is effective in calming redness and reducing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
• Retinoids: Over-the-counter adapalene or prescription-strength tretinoin are widely recognized for improving skin texture and reducing acne lesions.
• Spot Treatments: Sulfur-based or benzoyl peroxide spot treatments are frequently used to target inflamed cysts.

SUPPLEMENTS FOR HORMONAL ACNE

• DIM (Diindolylmethane): DIM supplements (100-300 mg daily) are reported to reduce cystic breakouts by balancing estrogen levels and hormones, particularly in cases of estrogen dominance or PCOS. Try Dermala’s SUPPLEMEANT To Be® Dim Skin Mix.
• Zinc: Zinc’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties help reduce redness, soothe inflamed acne, and regulate sebum production. Many individuals see improvement after supplementing with 15–30 mg of zinc daily, often in the form of zinc gluconate or zinc picolinate. Try Dermala’s SUPPLEMEANT To Be® Pre + Probiotic + Vitamin Skin Mix.
• Probiotics: Supporting gut health is essential for hormonal balance. Probiotics help reduce systemic inflammation and strengthen the skin barrier, often leading to clearer skin. Incorporating probiotics through supplements, fermented foods, or microbiome-focused skincare is highly effective for some. Try Dermala’s SUPPLEMEANT To Be® Pre + Probiotic + Vitamin Skin Mix.

HORMONAL TREATMENTS

• Spironolactone: A commonly praised oral medication that reduces hormonal acne by blocking the effects of testosterone on oil production. Many individuals report significant and consistent improvements with this treatment.
• Oral Contraceptives: Birth control pills containing estrogen and progestin are frequently described as transformative, especially for cyclical hormonal breakouts.
• Accutane (Isotretinoin): While not a direct hormonal treatment, isotretinoin is often the last resort for severe, persistent acne, with many users reporting life-changing results.
• Learn more about hormonal therapies for acne.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM OTHERS’ EXPERIENCE

1. Consistency Is Key: Achieving results with hormonal acne treatments requires patience, with most regimens needing 6–12 weeks to show noticeable improvement.
2. Combination Treatments Work Best: Many people found success using a combination of lifestyle changes, skincare, supplements, and hormonal treatments like DIM and spironolactone.
3. It’s Personal: Every individual’s hormonal acne journey is unique, and finding the right solution often involves trial and error.
4. Patience Pays Off: Gradual improvement is a recurring theme, with many emphasizing persistence as crucial for managing hormonal acne.

FAQs ABOUT HORMONAL ACNE

1. What causes hormonal acne?
Hormonal acne is caused by fluctuations in hormone levels, such as increased androgens (like testosterone), which stimulate excess sebum production. Factors like stress, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and PCOS can exacerbate these fluctuations.

2. Is hormonal acne different from regular acne?
Yes, hormonal acne often presents as deep, painful cystic breakouts along the jawline, chin, and neck, following a cyclical pattern linked to hormonal changes.

3. How does DIM help with hormonal acne?
DIM promotes healthy estrogen metabolism, reduces excess androgens, and balances hormonal activity, which helps decrease oil production and reduce acne severity.

4. Can zinc help with hormonal acne?
Yes, zinc can help manage hormonal acne by reducing inflammation, calming redness, and regulating sebum production. Zinc supplements (15–30 mg daily) are particularly effective for cystic or inflamed acne.

5. How do probiotics improve hormonal acne?
Probiotics restore gut microbiome balance, reducing systemic inflammation and improving skin health. By targeting the root causes of inflammation, probiotics can help clear hormonal acne from the inside out.

HOW DERMALA CAN HELP YOU FIGHT HORMONAL ACNE

Dermala offers a science-backed solution for hormonal acne by combining topical treatments and science-backed supplements. The SCANTILY Pad® AM/PM Acne Treatment contains salicylic acid and the SE Microbiome Complex® to target acne-causing bacteria, reduce inflammation, and unclog pores. Internally, Dermala provides SUPPLEMEANT To Be® Dim Skin Mix, formulated with DIM to balance hormones, and SUPPLEMEANT To Be® Pre + Probiotic + Vitamin Skin Mix, which blends zinc and probiotics to improve gut health, regulate oil production, and combat systemic inflammation. Dermala’s unique microbiome-focused approach addresses the root causes of hormonal acne for long-term, personalized results.

Read customer testimonials, review clinical trial results, and take the first step toward healthier skin with Dermala today!