Why All Acne Is Hormonal Acne (Yes, Even Yours)
If you’ve ever dealt with acne—whether it’s the deep, cystic kind that flares around your jawline or the little whiteheads that appear out of nowhere—you’ve probably heard the term hormonal acne thrown around. Maybe your breakouts got worse before your period, or maybe they persisted long after your teenage years. But here’s something most people don’t realize: all acne is technically hormonal acne.
That doesn’t mean every breakout is a result of a hormone imbalance or a condition like PCOS. But it does mean that without hormones, acne wouldn’t exist. Whether you’re 14 or 45, your hormones play a central role in what shows up on your skin. So when we talk about treating acne effectively, especially long-term, we’re really talking about how to address that hormonal foundation.
Let’s unpack why hormones are behind every pimple—and why that matters for how you treat it.
WHAT CAUSES ACNE IN THE FIRST PLACE?
To understand why acne is hormonal, we need to zoom in on what causes acne at the microscopic level. Every pimple starts in a sebaceous gland—a tiny oil-producing gland attached to your hair follicles. These glands are most dense on the face, chest, and back (aka, the most common areas for breakouts).
Here’s the simplified chain reaction that leads to acne:
Hormones signal your oil glands to produce more sebum (oil).
That excess oil mixes with dead skin cells and clogs the pore.
Bacteria (primarily C. acnes) thrive in the clogged, oily environment.
The body mounts an inflammatory response—and boom, you have a pimple.
The entire process starts with hormones. Specifically, androgens—a group of hormones that includes testosterone—stimulate your oil glands. The more sensitive your glands are to androgens, the more likely you are to produce too much oil, clog pores, and develop acne.
So no matter what kind of acne you’re experiencing—blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, or cysts—the hormonal trigger is always there.
“BUT I DON’T HAVE HORMONAL ISSUES…”
You might be thinking, “My hormones are fine—I’ve had bloodwork done.” And that may be true. Most people with acne don’t have abnormal hormone levels. But acne can happen even when hormone levels are technically within the normal range.
Here’s why:
IT’S NOT JUST HOW MUCH OF A SPECIFIC HORMONE YOU HAVE—IT’S HOW YOUR SKIN RESPONDS
Think of androgens like a key, and your oil glands like locks. Some people’s locks are super sensitive—even a small amount of hormone stimulation causes them to overproduce oil. Other people can have the same amount of androgens and never break out.
This is why two people with “normal” hormone levels can have completely different skin. One stays clear, and the other develops stubborn, chronic acne.
FLUCTUATIONS MATTER TOO
Even predictable hormone shifts—like those that happen during your menstrual cycle, puberty, or perimenopause—can tip the balance toward breakouts. You don’t need to have a hormone disorder for hormones to impact your skin.
“SO IS ALL ACNE HORMONAL?” YES—BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN IT’S ALL THE SAME
Let’s clarify: while all acne has hormonal roots, that doesn’t mean every breakout is caused by a hormone imbalance that needs medication or lab testing.
Here’s how to think about it:
Teenage acne? Triggered by the surge in androgens during puberty.
Adult acne? Often influenced by monthly hormone fluctuations and increasing androgen sensitivity over time.
Stress breakouts? Cortisol (your stress hormone) increases oil production.
Body acne? Still driven by hormonal oil production, just in different areas.
Even acne triggered by things like diet, skincare products, or friction (like from a sweaty sports bra or face mask) still relies on oil gland activity to set the stage. And what controls those glands? Hormones.
So when we say all acne is hormonal, we’re talking about the root cause—not necessarily the surface triggers.
WHY THIS MATTERS FOR TREATMENT
If acne is fundamentally hormonal, it makes sense that treatments focused only on the surface—like harsh cleansers or spot treatments—often fall short.
To get real, lasting results, we have to address what’s happening inside the skin.
TOPICAL PRODUCTS HAVE THEIR PLACE—BUT THEY’RE NOT THE WHOLE ANSWER
Yes, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and retinoids can help reduce breakouts. They work by unclogging pores, reducing bacteria, and speeding up skin turnover. But they don’t touch the oil gland itself—or the hormonal signal that’s telling that gland to overproduce in the first place.
That’s why many people find that even with “perfect” skincare, their acne keeps coming back.
ORAL MEDICATIONS WORK BY ADDRESSING HORMONES
Medications like birth control pills or spironolactone are commonly prescribed for acne because they help balance hormonal signals and reduce oil production. But these aren’t always ideal for long-term use—especially if you’re hoping to avoid side effects, manage acne drug-free, or aren’t a candidate for those medications.
A NEW APPROACH: TREATING ACNE AT THE SOURCE
At CLEAR Acne Treatment Centers, we specialize in AviClear®, the first FDA-cleared laser that directly targets your oil glands—no prescriptions or medications required.
Here’s how it works:
AviClear® uses a precise 1726 nm wavelength to safely shrink the sebaceous glands.
By reducing oil production, it prevents the root cause of acne—without disrupting your hormones or thinning your skin.
Unlike antibiotics or Accutane®, AviClear® doesn’t rely on systemic medication or come with long-term side effects.
Because it addresses the root of acne (oil gland overactivity), AviClear® works on all skin types, all ages, and all kinds of acne—whether you’re a teenager, an adult, or someone who’s tried everything else.
SO… WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU’RE STILL BREAKING OUT?
If you’ve been frustrated with recurring breakouts despite good skincare habits, the problem probably isn’t on the surface—it’s deeper, in your oil glands, and by extension, your hormones.
That’s not bad news. In fact, it means there is a root cause—and it’s treatable.
Hormones are behind every pimple, but they don’t have to control your skin.
THE BOTTOM LINE: HORMONAL ACNE IS JUST… ACNE
At the end of the day, there’s no real dividing line between “hormonal acne” and “regular acne.” If you’re breaking out, your hormones are involved. And the best treatments are the ones that acknowledge that.
If you’re tired of chasing surface-level fixes and want to address acne at its source, AviClear® might be the solution you’ve been searching for.
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