Why Hormonal Acne Doesn’t Stand a Chance Against AviClear®

Hormonal acne is one of the most stubborn—and misunderstood—types of acne. It often shows up just when you thought you’d outgrown breakouts, sneaking in around your chin, jawline, and neck, sometimes monthly and sometimes nonstop. It can feel like no product or prescription ever truly works long-term.

At CLEAR Acne Treatment Centers, we see hormonal acne all the time. Our clients have often tried everything—benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, harsh scrubs, even Accutane®—only to have the breakouts come right back. That’s because hormonal acne isn’t caused by poor hygiene or clogged pores alone. It has deeper roots, and treating it takes a smarter, more targeted strategy.

Let’s walk through exactly what hormonal acne is, why it happens, and how you can finally get ahead of it.

WHAT IS HORMONAL ACNE?

Hormonal acne is caused by shifts in your body’s hormone levels—specifically androgens like testosterone—that stimulate your oil glands. This leads to excess oil production, clogged pores, and inflammation. While hormonal acne can affect anyone, it’s especially common in women, often flaring in adulthood rather than adolescence.

It tends to appear in certain patterns. Many people notice breakouts along the lower face, especially the chin, jawline, and neck. The breakouts are often deep and tender—sometimes cystic—and they tend to follow a cycle, flaring before your period or during times of stress. And unlike the whiteheads or blackheads of teen acne, hormonal acne often sits deeper in the skin and lingers longer.

WHAT CAUSES HORMONAL ACNE?

Hormonal acne can be triggered by a number of internal shifts. Even people with otherwise “normal” hormone levels can experience breakouts when their body’s balance changes.

One of the most common causes is the menstrual cycle. In the days leading up to your period, estrogen drops while androgens rise. This hormonal shift causes your oil glands to rev up, which can clog pores and lead to breakouts.

Other causes include conditions like PCOS, which leads to excess androgens and often results in chronic, cystic acne. Hormonal birth control can also play a role. Starting, stopping, or switching your birth control pills can all disrupt your skin temporarily—or long term—depending on how your body reacts to the new balance of hormones.

Stress is another big factor. When you’re stressed, your body produces more cortisol, which can stimulate androgen activity and oil production. Even perimenopause and menopause can trigger new breakouts, often for people who never had acne before, because of the shifting ratio of estrogen to androgens.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR ACNE IS HORMONAL?

There’s no blood test that definitively says “this is hormonal acne,” but there are some clear patterns.

If you tend to break out around your chin and jawline, especially in the days before your period, that’s one clue. If your breakouts are deep, painful, and often cystic, that’s another. And if your skin doesn’t seem to respond to typical treatments like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, hormones may be playing a bigger role than you think.

Some people also notice other hormonal symptoms alongside their acne, like oily skin, increased facial hair, or irregular cycles. But even without these, your acne can still be driven by hormonal activity—especially if it feels cyclical or tied to major life events like pregnancy, postpartum, or going off birth control.

WHY IS HORMONAL ACNE SO HARD TO TREAT?

Most acne treatments are aimed at the surface: clearing out pores, reducing bacteria, calming inflammation. And while those approaches can help, they don’t do much to quiet the oil glands that are being overstimulated by hormones.

This is why many people with hormonal acne see temporary improvement with things like antibiotics or topical retinoids—but then the breakouts come roaring back once they stop using them. The oil production hasn’t changed, so the cycle just repeats.

Even Accutane®, which shrinks the oil glands, doesn’t always work long-term for hormonal acne. Some people find their acne returns months or years later because their hormones continue to stimulate new oil activity. To truly break the cycle, we need to calm the oil production at its source in a way that’s more sustainable and less disruptive to your body.

BEST TREATMENTS FOR HORMONAL ACNE

When hormonal acne just won’t quit, it’s time to take a different approach—one that targets the oil glands directly and supports your skin through long-term healing.

At CLEAR, our top recommendation for hormonal acne is AviClear®, the first FDA-cleared laser that specifically treats the oil glands. It works by using a 1726nm wavelength to safely and selectively target the sebaceous glands without damaging the surrounding skin. After three treatments, most clients see a dramatic reduction in breakouts—and the results continue to improve.

AviClear® doesn’t mess with your hormones, doesn’t require downtime, and doesn’t involve any ongoing medications. It’s especially helpful for people who want clear skin without taking spironolactone or hormonal birth control.

Other options include oral medications like spironolactone, which blocks androgen receptors and reduces oil production. It’s commonly prescribed to women with hormonal acne and can be very effective—though many people do relapse if they stop taking it.

Topical retinoids, like tretinoin or adapalene, are also helpful for preventing clogged pores and reducing inflammation. They won’t stop hormonal oil production, but they can keep the surface of your skin clearer while deeper treatments do their job.

Some birth control pills are formulated to help with acne by regulating hormone levels, but they don’t work for everyone. And depending on your unique biology, they may make acne worse or cause flare-ups when discontinued.

Lifestyle also plays a role. Stress management, regular sleep, and a consistent skincare routine can all support healthier skin. Just be careful with your skincare products—many contain hidden pore-clogging ingredients, even if they say “non-comedogenic” on the label. We always encourage clients to look up ingredients themselves to be sure they’re truly safe for acne-prone skin.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SEE RESULTS?

Hormonal acne doesn’t clear up overnight. Even with the right treatment, it can take time for your skin to adjust and fully stabilize. That’s especially true with treatments like AviClear®, which work gradually by changing how your oil glands function over time.

Most CLEAR clients start seeing improvement within a few weeks of their last AviClear® session, but the most dramatic results usually happen between 6 and 12 months after the final treatment. This slower pace is actually a good sign—it means your skin is healing and recalibrating, not just responding to a temporary fix.

YOU CAN GET CLEAR SKIN—EVEN WITH HORMONAL ACNE

Hormonal acne can feel like it has a mind of its own. But the truth is, you can clear it. The key is understanding what’s really driving your breakouts and choosing a treatment that addresses the root of the issue—not just the surface.

At CLEAR Acne Treatment Centers, we specialize in helping people who’ve tried everything else and are ready for a solution that actually works. Whether your breakouts are tied to your cycle, stress, PCOS, or a recent birth control change, we’ll help you create a customized plan to calm your skin for good.

If you’re tired of fighting hormonal acne on your own, it might be time to try something new. AviClear® is a powerful, medication-free way to treat acne at the source—and it could be the answer you’ve been looking for.

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