What Makes Hormonal Acne Treatment Different?

Acne is a common skin condition, but it requires a specialised approach when driven by hormonal changes. Hormonal acne isn't just a teenage issue; it can affect adults too, particularly women. But the good news is that skincare can aid your journey to a smooth, glowing complexion with patience and enough time.

Understanding Hormonal Acne

As the name suggests, hormonal acne is often linked to fluctuations in hormones, such as androgens, which can trigger increased oil production, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. While teenagers are commonly affected due to puberty, adults can suffer from hormonal acne due to genetic and hormonal shifts.

The Role of Hormones in Skin Health and Acne Development

Hormones are chemical messengers that play a critical role in regulating many processes in the body, including skin health through sebum production, skin cell turnover, and other factors. 

For overall skin health, oestrogen is critical for preserving skin plumpness, boosting collagen production, and ensuring adequate hydration. Thyroid hormones influence skin hydration and hair growth. And Growth hormone plays a pivotal role in collagen synthesis and maintaining skin structure.

More specifically regarding acne, testosterone, though predominantly male-associated, is present in women as well, and it can elevate sebum production, sometimes resulting in acne-prone and oily skin. Progesterone, another key hormone, has a part in regulating oil production, and its elevation can contribute to the development of acne. Known as the stress hormone, cortisol can provoke inflammation, often aggravating conditions like acne when levels are high.

Imbalances or changes can exacerbate or even cause acne, necessitating treatments that go beyond addressing surface-level symptoms. 

Key Indicators & Differences of Hormonal Acne

Hormonal acne differs from other types of acne in several ways:

Location and Appearance

Hormonal acne typically appears along the jawline, chin, and sometimes the cheeks. It's often characterised by deep, cyst-like blemishes that can be painful to touch, rather than blackheads and whiteheads, commonly seen with other acne types.

Age and Gender

While acne is commonly associated with teenagers, hormonal acne can affect adults, particularly women, well into their 30s, 40s, and beyond. It may come in the form of persistent acne - congestion that has continued from adolescence - or late-onset acne which first presents in adulthood. It may be linked to hormonal fluctuations, or simply genetics, which can result in congestion through the lower jaw and chin. 

Response to Treatment

Hormonal acne often doesn't respond well to typical over-the-counter acne treatments, which tend to target surface-level symptoms. Instead, it may require specialised hormonal acne treatments that address hormonal imbalances, such as prescription medications and shifting lifestyle habits.

Triggering Factors

Other types of acne can be triggered by factors like diet, poor hygiene, or bacteria. Hormonal acne, on the other hand, is primarily driven by internal hormonal changes, which can worsen with stress or lifestyle habits.

The Secret’s Approach | Treating Hormonal Acne

At The Secret, we address acne using prescription-strength formulas to resurface the skin, eliminate acne-causing bacteria, and control oil production. You can complete our 5-minute complimentary skin quiz to receive doctor’s recommendations for the products from our range. Once you're ready to start your skin journey with us, we customise and create bespoke formulations to address your medical condition. 

Acne Night Formula has a potent blend of dermatologist-prescribed ingredients designed to combat acne by enhancing cell turnover and regulating oil production. This formula reduces current breakouts, prevents new ones, and reinforces the skin's natural barrier, diminishing the appearance of scars.

Stress Repair Night Cream is a prescription formula designed to combat the visible signs of stress on your skin, addressing conditions like acne, to promote a calmer, healthier complexion. By blending antibiotics with anti-inflammatories, this cream clears harmful bacteria and dead skin and strengthens the skin's barrier.

Day Brightening Elixir - Sensitive uses combination of brightening, anti-inflammatory and barrier strengthening ingredients to gently remove dead skin cells and harmful bacteria that causes a variety of inflammatory skin conditions from the skins surface and pores. 

The Base Cream is a gentle, nutrient-rich moisturiser providing long-lasting hydration and supporting skin barrier function. Infused with antioxidants, peptides, and calming ingredients, it revitalises the skin, creating a hydrated base ideal for use with prescription-strength retinoids

Hormonal Healing: Lifestyle Changes for Acne Management

A balanced diet, regular movement or exercise, meditation, journaling, socialising and connecting with the right people can help regulate hormones and reduce the incidence of hormonal acne. This is your chance to heal your body and skin starting today.

While hormonal acne can be challenging, understanding its causes and treatment options is the first step in taking control. Reach out to our team online about products, ingredients, or any concerns regarding the acne treatment. The right time to start managing your hormonal acne effectively is now!