There’s nothing quite as frustrating as waking up, looking in the mirror, and seeing a blemish that has literally appeared out of nowhere overnight! Especially when you thought your breakout days were left behind in your teenage years!
The thing is hormonal acne doesn’t just affect teenagers, it’s incredibly common in adulthood too, particularly in our late 30s, 40s and beyond. The tricky part is that hormonal acne is very different from a standard breakout, and because it can be so stubborn, it needs a more thoughtful approach than simply trying to “dry it out”. Instead, the key is to support the skin with gentle, targeted care that helps calm inflammation, protect the skin barrier and keep breakouts under control.
Keep reading as we share the best professional skincare tips, ingredients, and expert-approved products to help keep stubborn hormonal breakouts at bay and your skin looking healthier, calmer, and more balanced!
How do you know it’s hormonal acne?
Hormonal breakouts are often linked to changes in hormones that can affect oil production and inflammation in the skin. It commonly shows up as deep, tender spots, recurring breakouts or congestion that tends to cluster along the chin, jawline and lower cheeks, and occasionally the neck. This is distinctly different from congestion related acne which tends to appear across the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin.) For many people, hormonal acne flares a week or so before a period, due to hormonal shifts. As oestrogen (the “female” hormone) levels drop, androgens (“male” hormones) have a relatively stronger effect on the skin often increasing oil production and congestion, which can lead to your skin breaking out.
Hormonal acne also flares during other hormonal shifts such as stress, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause!
The best skincare ingredients for hormonal acne
The goal with hormonal acne is to keep the skin barrier strong and supported, target active breakouts and calm the inflammation that drives the redness and pain.
Some of the most effective ingredients include:
Salicylic & lactic acids to help clear pores and reduce congestion.
Niacinamide to calm redness and balance oil
Clay & charcoal to detoxify pores and absorb excess oil
Hyaluronic acid for lightweight hydration
Vitamin A and retinol alternatives to support skin renewal
Soothing botanicals to reduce irritation
The best routine for hormonal acne
Because hormonal acne tends to be deeper and more persistent than the occasional blemish, it often responds best to a routine that is both targeted and gentle.
A simple routine is often the best place to start when treating hormonal acne. One of the biggest mistakes people make is over-cleansing or using harsh products that leave the skin feeling tight and dry.
When the skin barrier becomes compromised, it can trigger even more oil production and irritation! Instead, it’s best to choose professional skincare that deeply cleanses without stripping the skin and focus on maintaining hydration and balance. Remember also that consistency is key, hormonal acne rarely improves overnight, but gentle, targeted skincare can help visibly improve the skin over time.
1. Choose a gentle, purifying cleanser
You want to opt for a cleanser that removes excess oil, sunscreen and impurities while clearing out dead skin cells without stripping your skin and leaving your face feeling tight or dry. Remember over-cleansing can irritate the barrier and make breakouts feel worse.
Our recommendation: Medicalia Clarifying Cleanser
Specifically created for those with breakout prone and sensitive/oily skin, it’s formulated with both Salicylic and Lactic acids to gently but effectively unclog pores and soften skin while improving clarity!
Its potent foaming suds work very quickly to eliminate surface bacteria, toxins, impurities and makeup while combatting inflammation too!
“I’ve been using this cleanser for a year now. Keeps my sebaceous filaments in check and has helped control my hormonal acne better than any other cleanser I’ve used.” – Sophie H
2. Use targeted treatments that balance oil production
This is where actives can be helpful. Specific ingredients can support clearer-looking skin while helping to calm inflammation. To tackle the stubborn hormonal acne you’re experiencing, look for a targeted serum that helps balance excess oil production, calm redness and irritation, and support the skin’s natural healing process without over-drying the skin.
Our recommendation: Pevonia Soothing Propolis Concentrate
This is one of BC’s best-selling serums and it’s a particular favourite for hormonal breakouts because of its extraordinary natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Propolis is a resinous compound produced by bees that has been used medicinally for thousands of years and in skincare, it’s one of the most effective naturally derived antibacterial actives available.
Applied to the skin, Propolis helps reduce the bacteria that colonise clogged pores and contribute to inflammatory breakouts. It calms redness and swelling around active spots, speeds up the skin’s healing process and helps prevent new breakouts from forming! Amazing right? And unlike harsh antiseptic actives, it does all of this without disrupting the skin barrier or causing dryness! Now you can see why it’s a Pevonia favourite.
What makes it particularly useful for hormonal acne though is that it can be used as a preventative applied consistently during the week or two before your period when you know breakouts are likely, it helps minimise the severity of what appears and speeds up recovery when blemishes do develop.
“I love this product, i bought it while i was pregnant and had severe hormonal acne and it seemed to calm and soothe my skin and reduced the "angriness" of my skin!” – Melinda I
4. Support skin healing & hydration
It’s a myth that oily and acne prone skin doesn’t need nourishment! A common mistake people with acne make is skipping moisturiser because your skin feels oily. By doing so your skin will become dehydrated, go into panic mode and actually product more oil to compensate! You just need an oil-free, healing moisturiser.
Our Recommendation: Medicalia Clarifying Cream
This lightweight, fast absorbing clarifying moisturiser is ideal for hormonal acne-prone skin because it delivers hydration without feeling heavy, greasy, or pore-clogging. Formulated with salicylic and glycolic acids it helps calm congestion, rebalance excess oil, and support the skin barrier. It also works to keep skin feeling hydrated, soothed, and healthier-looking while helping reduce the appearance of redness and breakouts.
What makes it especially great for hormonal acne is that it helps nourish and comfort stressed, inflamed skin without overloading it (something many richer creams can do!) The result? Skin feels more balanced, less irritated, and better supported overall, with a clearer, calmer-looking complexion over time.
“it's expensive but it's been a lifesaver for my acne prone skin! I've noticed it helps keep my sebaceous filaments in check also.” – Sophie H
5. At night, use a “cell turnover” treatment
Because hormonal acne is often linked to congestion, excess oil, and trapped dead skin cells, encouraging your skin to renew itself more effectively is essential. Overnight treatments that support healthy cell turnover can help keep pores clearer, improve skin texture, and reduce the appearance of persistent breakouts over time.
Our recommendation: Medicalia Retinol & 'C' Care
Retinol is considered the gold standard for acne-prone skin because it helps speed up cell turnover, keeping pores clearer and reducing congestion. Combined with Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides and Vitamin C, it also helps to brighten the skin and fade the lingering red or brown post-breakout marks that blemishes often leave behind.
6. Don’t forget SPF
Daily sun protection is essential, especially if you are using active ingredients that may make your skin more sensitive. A good SPF helps protect your skin while you work on improving its overall condition.
Our recommendation: Hubislab Herb 8 Soothing Blemish Balm SPF30 PA++ - 50g
Formulated with Zinc Oxide, SPF30 broad-spectrum filters, and Hubislab’s signature Anti Toxin Herb 8 complex, this soothing sunscreen designed for sensitive skin works to alleviate irritation, calm redness, support skin recovery, and strengthen the skin barrier! It’s your SPF and skin treatment in one!
7. Once a week apply a mask
Adding a weekly mask into your skincare routine can make a huge difference when it comes to managing hormonal breakouts. Masks help give the skin a deeper clean while targeting excess oil, congestion, and inflammation, all without needing to overload your skin with harsh daily treatments!
Use a detoxifying or clarifying mask to help absorb excess oil, decongest pores, and calm inflammation, especially in the lead-up to your period when hormonal breakouts often flare.
Our recommendation: Pevonia Pure Skin Charcoal Mask
This purifying charcoal and clay mask is ideal for oily, congested, and breakout-prone skin. It helps draw out impurities, absorb excess oil, and leave the skin feeling clearer, smoother, and more balanced without stripping away essential moisture. It’s the perfect weekly reset for skin that feels congested, inflamed, or prone to stubborn hormonal breakouts.
“Being in my 50's I wasn't sure if this would dry my skin out, but I bought it coz I had a few breakouts - hormonal I guess. I've used it daily for about 3 days and it's totally cleared my skin up - it feels de-congested, clear and smooth. I love this mask.” – Melinda Hopkins
The lifestyle habits that can actually make a difference too
Skincare can manage the symptoms of hormonal acne beautifully but if you want to address the root cause as well, these lifestyle factors are worth taking seriously:
Avoid picking or squeezing breakouts
Because hormonal blemishes are deep, picking or squeezing them (even though tempting) won't bring them to a head. Picking often leads to more inflammation and can increase the risk of marks or scarring.
Track your cycle
If you notice your skin flares up a week before your period, you can adjust your skincare a few days early to include more purifying, anti-inflammatory ingredients as a preventative step.
Reduce your dairy and sugar intake
While diet doesn't cause acne, high-sugar foods and dairy can cause spikes in insulin and inflammation, which can worsen hormonal flares. Reducing high-glycaemic foods is actually one of the most evidence-backed dietary changes for hormonal acne. Swapping refined carbohydrates and sugars for whole grains, vegetables and protein helps stabilise blood sugar and reduce androgen activity.
Focus on stress management
Stress is actually one of the biggest contributors to hormonal breakouts! This is because stress releases a hormone called cortisol, which directly tells your skin to produce more oil leading to inflammation and flare ups!
Believe me we know saying manage your stress is easier said than done! But something as simple as medication, listening to music, breathing mindfully and exercising (even if it’s a walk) can help regulate cortisol levels. Also never underestimate the power of a calming self-care ritual! And a good night's sleep (7 to 9 hours nine hours is not a luxury for acne-prone skin, it’s part of the treatment!)
Consider spearmint tea
There is actually meaningful clinical evidence that spearmint tea has mild anti-androgenic properties. Two cups a day has been shown in small studies to reduce hormonal acne. It’s not a miracle cure but it’s a pleasant, zero-risk addition to a management approach.
Talk to your GP or dermatologist
If your hormonal acne is severe, cystic or significantly affecting your quality of life, please seek professional medical advice. There are effective medical interventions available, from oral contraceptives to spironolactone, that work alongside good skincare.
Hormonal acne can take time to improve, so consistency is essential. Rather than attacking the skin with aggressive products, focus on supporting and strengthening the skin barrier while using targeted ingredients that help reduce congestion and inflammation over time.
With the right skincare routine, professional advice, and healthy lifestyle habits, hormonal acne can absolutely become more manageable.
