Treatments and Natural Remedies to Get Rid of Hormonal Acne

Hormonal acne is typically associated with puberty, but can affect adults of any age. Treatments may include topical medications, oral medications, and natural remedies.

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that may cause oily skin, spots, and pimples to develop on your face and upper body.

Research suggests that up to 95%Trusted Source of people experience acne at some point during adolescence due to hormonal changes occurring in the body.

Adults may also experience acne due to hormonal changes caused by:

menstruation
menopause
polycystic ovarian syndrome
stress

Keep reading to learn more about how to treat hormonal acne.

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What are the different types of hormonal acne?

Treatment for hormonal acne may depend on the type of acne you have and the severity of symptoms. The different types of acne includeTrusted Source:

whiteheads
blackheads
papules
pustules
nodules

Traditional treatments for hormonal acne

Treatment for hormonal acne will aim to help reduce symptoms and prevent complications, such as acne scars.

Your treatment plan may include a combination of lifestyle changes, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and medical treatments.

Topical retinoids

Topical retinoids may help treat mild to moderate hormonal acne. Some retinoids includeTrusted Source:

tretinoin
tazarotene (Tazorac)
adapalene (Differin gel)
trifarotene

Topical retinoids are available OTC at pharmacies in the form of creams, gels, and lotions. If OTC retinoids aren’t effective, a doctor may prescribe a stronger topical retinoid.

Other common topical medications for hormonal acne may include:

antibiotics
benzoyl peroxide
salicylic acid

Oral contraceptives

Oral contraceptives can be used to help treat hormonal acne in people assigned female at birth.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved threeTrusted Source oral contraceptives for the treatment of acne. These include a combination of ethinyl estradiol and one of the following medications:

drospirenone (Yaz)
norgestimate
norethindrone

Together, these ingredients target the hormones that can contribute to acne. This can be especially helpful during peaks in hormones, such as ovulation.

Oral contraceptives may not be an option for you if you have a history of blood clots, high blood pressure, or breast cancer. You also shouldn’t take these if you smoke.

Learn more about birth control for acne.

Anti-androgen drugs

Anti-androgen drugs can help reduce acne by decreasing the male hormone androgen. Too much androgen in your body can contributeTrusted Source to acne by interfering with hair follicles that regulate skin cells and increasing oil production.

Spironolactone (Aldactone) is primarily used to treat high blood pressure, but it could also help prevent your body from producing more androgen and allow your hormone levels to stabilize.

How to treat hormonal acne naturally

In some cases, natural remedies may help treat mild hormonal acne.

However, it’s important to note the research on their effectiveness is limited, and mixed. Natural remedies may not be as effective as OTC and medical treatments.

As such, it’s best to speak with a doctor about the potential risks, interactions, and treatment alternatives.

Skin patch test

Before trying a natural remedy for hormonal acne, consider doing a skin patch test to identify and prevent potential allergies.

To do this, apply a small amount of the diluted product to the inside of your wrist. If you don’t experience any irritation or inflammation within 24 hours, it should be safe to apply elsewhere.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil may help decreaseTrusted Source inflammation, bacteria, and oxidative stress that could contribute to acne.

Tea tree oil is available in skin care products like cleansers and toners. You can also use tea tree essential oil as a spot treatment.

Dilute tea tree essential oil with a carrier oil before use. Popular carrier oils include coconut, jojoba, and olive. Add about 12 drops of carrier oil to every one to two drops of essential oil.

Alpha hydroxy acid

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are plant acids derived mostly from citrus fruits. AHAs are a popularTrusted Source natural remedy for removing excess dead skin cells that clog pores and minimizing the appearance of acne scars.

AHAs can be found in many OTC masks and creams. As with retinoids, AHAs can increase your skin’s sun sensitivity. You should always wear sunscreen when using products with AHA.

Green tea

Topical green tea solutions can help reduceTrusted Source inflammation and lesions associated with acne.

You can also try drinking a few cups of green tea daily. However, minimal research exists on the benefits of drinking green tea for acne.

How does diet impact hormonal acne?

The association between diet and hormonal acne isn’t fully understood.

ResearchTrusted Source suggests that some high-glycemic and dairy foods could affect hormones like insulin and androgen, causing acne to develop.

If you have hormonal acne, you may consider limiting sugar, dairy, and refined carbs, such as white bread and pasta.

On the other hand, foods high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon may help reduceTrusted Source inflammation and acne.

Learn more about the best diet and supplements for hormonal acne.

What else can I do to clear hormonal acne?

To clear up hormonal acne and keep it at bay it’s important to establish an appropriate skincare routine.

Consider trying the following:

Wash your face in the morning and again in the evening.
Apply no more than a pea-sized amount of any acne product. Applying too much can dry out your skin and increase irritation.
Wear sunscreen every day.
Use only noncomedogenic products to reduce your risk of clogged pores.

Learn more about how to take care of your skin.

Frequently asked questions

How long does hormonal acne take to go away?

The exact timeline for hormonal acne varies from person to person. A new acne treatment plan typically takes 8 to 16 weeks to take full effect.

Where is hormonal acne usually located?

Hormonal acne most often appears on your face in the T-zone, which includes your forehead, nose, and chin.

The bottom line

Hormonal acne most commonly occurs in adolescents during puberty, but it could also affect adults.

Treatment may include a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and natural remedies.

If your acne persists, speak with a doctor or dermatologist about a long-term treatment plan. They can revise your current plan and incorporate different treatments to maximize your results.