Hormonal Acne Treatment: 5 Best Products That Treat Hormonal Acne

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If you struggle to find a hormonal acne treatment that works, you’re not alone. Hormonal acne can be stubborn and doesn’t always respond to conventional, over-the-counter acne washes and creams. That doesn’t mean you can’t have clear skin. There are some awesome treatments for adult acne; you simply need to know where to find them!

We combed the internet for the best, most effective hormonal acne treatments, including creams, gels, and dietary supplements. Whether you have dry skin, greasy skin, or something in between, we’re confident one of these top treatments will give you the clear skin you’ve been waiting for.

Best Hormonal Acne Treatments

1. Best Overall for Inflammatory Acne: CLEARSTEM MINDBODYSKIN
2. Best Topical Therapies for Aging Skin: Obagi Tretinoin 0.05% Cream 0.7oz
3. Best Systemic Treatment for Discoloration: Droplette Tranexamic Eraser Set
4. Best Salicylic Acid Treatment for Dry Skin: FOREO ESPADA BHA+PHA Blemish Solution
5. Best Prescription-Strength Treatment for Persistent Acne: ProactivMD Adapalene Gel 0.1%

Most Effective Ingredients for Treating Hormonal Acne

• Vitamin A: Vitamin A is an antioxidant vitamin that can help improve overall skin health. It can help manage acne by reducing inflammation and encouraging existing blemishes to heal.
• Turmeric: Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory agent and may also help curb the growth of some acne-causing bacteria.
• Tretinoin: Tretinoin falls into a class of medications known as retinoids. It encourages your dead skin cells to be cleared more quickly so they don’t clog pores and lead to blemishes.
• Niacinamide: A form of vitamin B3, this vitamin helps reduce the amount of sebum and oil your skin produces, which can lead to a reduction in blemishes.
• BHA: Also known as beta hydroxy acid, this ingredient helps exfoliate the skin, reduce inflammation, and minimize acne scarring.
• Adapalene: Adapalene is a vitamin A derivative that used to be available by prescription for severe acne. It’s now available over the counter. Most people use it along with benzoyl peroxide for the best effect. 

Best Hormonal Acne Treatments

1. Best Overall for Inflammatory Acne: CLEARSTEM MINDBODYSKIN

Why We Love It:

CLEARSTEM MINDBODYSKIN is an oral supplement designed specifically to address hormonal acne in multiple ways. It’s suitable for all skin types, including dry, oil, and mixed skin, and you only need to take two or three capsules daily to see results. The best part is that unlike other acne treatments, this one starts working in the first week.

Customers love that this adult acne supplement helps curb blemishes in several different ways. It helps reduce oil production, detoxify the skin, and reduce breakouts related to PMS, stress, and hormonal changes. The natural, active ingredients include turmeric, milk thistle, and bio-available vitamin A. This supplement also contains DIM, which may help regulate estrogen levels for clearer skin. If your oral contraceptives are causing acne outbursts, then this might help you manage it. 

Reviewers say they start noticing an improvement in their skin within about 7 days of taking this supplement and that the results just keep getting better over time They report fewer blemishes, less redness, and visibly smoother skin.

Pros:

• May ease PMS symptoms 
• Only needs to be taken once per day
• Suitable for all skin types
• Recommended for males and females

Cons:

• Must be taken with food
• Not suitable for pregnancy/breastfeeding

Specs:

• Size: 90 capsules per bottle
• Key Ingredients: Bioavailable Vitamin A, Turmeric, Dandelion, Digestive Blend, DIM, Vitamin B5, Glutathione, and Milk Thistle

Learn more about CLEARSTEM MINDBODYSKIN today

2. Best Topical Therapies for Aging Skin: Obagi Tretinoin 0.05% Cream 0.7oz

Why We Love It:

If you’ve noticed signs of aging along with your adult acne, Obagi Tretinoin Cream is a great hormonal acne treatment to try. This treatment not only helps prevent and treat blemishes but also reduces and prevents discoloration and other signs of aging.

Obagi Tretinoin Cream is available by prescription only and is one of the stronger tretinoin creams on the market. Customers who experienced limited results with less concentrated tretinoin products often notice a more dramatic improvement in their acne with this 0.05% tretinoin cream.

To treat acne, apply Obagi Tretinoin Cream two or three times per week before working your way up to a once-daily application. Some reviewers say their skin feels slightly dry for the first couple weeks of treatment, but the dryness fades with regular use and a gentle moisturizer.

Pros:

• Helps treat acne and fade discoloration in aging skin
• More potent than many other tretinoin creams
• Works to increase collagen production

Cons:

• Only available by prescription

Specs:

• Size: 0.7 ounces per tube
• Key Ingredients: Tretinoin

Learn more about Obagi Tretinoin Cream today

3. Best Systemic Treatment for Discoloration: Droplette Tranexamic Eraser Set

Why We Love It:

For those with extensive discoloration and scarring from past breakouts, we suggest trying the Droplette Tranexamic Erase Set. This microinfusion system is designed to yield clinical-grade results. It helps brighten skin, correct discoloration, and treat hormonal acne. The active ingredients include niacinamide, tranexamic acid, and arbutin.

To use this device, you insert a treatment capsule into the chamber. The device then converts the capsule into a fine mist that penetrates deep into your skin. Based on your skin type and the severity of your symptoms, you can choose from several personalized treatment modes.

Customers say they start noticing a reduction in discoloration within a few weeks of using this acne treatment device. They say the treatment is pain-free; some reviewers even find it soothing.

Pros:

• Cruelty-free and made with clean ingredients
• Free from sulfates, silicon, and parabens
• Delivers treatment deep into your skin
• Pain-free and soothing to use

Cons:

• May irritate sensitive skin

Specs:

• Size: 14 or 30 treatment capsules per container
• Key Ingredients: Tranexamic Acid, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, and Alpha-Arbutin.

Learn more about Droplette Tranexamic Erase Set today

4. Best Salicylic Acid Treatment for Dry Skin: FOREO ESPADA BHA+PHA Blemish Solution

Why We Love It:

If you struggle with dry skin, we suggest treating hormonal acne with FOREO ESPADA BHA+PHA Blemish Solution. This topical treatment is specifically formulated to keep skin moisturized. It not only helps clear your complexion but can also give you a more radiant glow. The treatment is designed to be used with FOREO’S ESPADA, a device that emits blue light to further help treat acne.

This product produces excellent results for customers with moderate acne and blemishes in and around their hair follicles. It’s popular among those who find topical retinoids too drying. Aging skin does not need as much benzoyl peroxide, whereas chemical peels might make acne worse over time, so we recommend this item if you need acne treatment geared towards those who might not have young skin. 

One of the main active ingredients in this topical treatment is niacinamide, which helps shrink enlarged pores and ease discoloration. The gel also contains tea tree oil, which has antibacterial properties that make it helpful in treating mild to moderate acne. At the same time, PHA helps increase your skin’s hydration level and fight skin inflammation.

Pros:

• Won’t dry out your skin
• Even more effective when used with the ESPADA blue LED light
• Helps fight both bacteria and inflammation
• Cruelty-free and vegan

Cons:

• May be difficult to treat large areas

Specs:

• Size: 15 mL per tube
• Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, niacinamide, tea tree oil, and PHA

Learn more about FOREO ESPADA BHA+PHA Blemish Solution today

5. Best Prescription-Strength Treatment for Persistent Acne: ProactivMD Adapalene Gel 0.1%

Why We Love It:

ProactivMD Adapalene is a topical retinoid that customers find very effective for treating hormonal acne on the chin and neck. They find it helps reduce acne breakouts and inflamed hair follicles in these areas. ProactivMD Adapalene was initially only available with a prescription but can now be purchased over-the-counter without a prescription. It’s FDA-approved and tested by dermatologists.

ProactivMD Adapalene treats hormonal acne breakouts in several different ways. Some customers replace an entire acne treatment plan with this one product and get excellent results. The formula is designed to penetrate deep into the pores, where it can encourage the rapid shedding of dead skin cells and help prevent the formation of new blemishes.

Since ProactivMD Adapalene is oil-free and fragrance-free, it tends to be well-tolerated by those with sensitive and dry skin. You only have to apply it once per day. Reviewers say they get better results from this product than from chemical peels and other more intensive acne treatments. Women who take birth control pills for hormonal acne often find this product helps clear up any residual acne they still have.

Pros:

• Available without a prescription
• Developed and tested by dermatologists
• Only needs to be applied once per day
• Oil-free and fragrance-free

Cons:

• Some customers experience dryness while their skin adapts

Specs:

• Size: 0.5 ounces per tube
• Key Ingredients: Adapalene

Learn more about ProactivMD Adapalene Gel today

 

How We Picked The Best Hormonal Acne Treatments

With so many different treatments for hormonal acne on the market, how did we pick just five to recommend in this article? It was challenging; we took our time and meticulously compared our options. Overall, these were the main criteria we considered when determining which products were the best for treating hormonal acne breakouts:

Company Reputation

We did some research into the companies that make each acne treatment product. We considered how long they have been in business, the testing protocols they follow, and how transparent they are when marketing their products. We liked to see companies utilize clinical trials and lab-testing protocols to ensure the safety and effectiveness of their products whenever possible. We also preferred companies owned by or employed dermatologists and other medical experts.

Ingredients and Ingredient Quality

Plenty of active ingredients can be used to treat hormonal acne, but some are safer and more effective than others. We read about each ingredient to ensure its track record of safety and effectiveness in treating or managing acne breakouts. We avoided harsh ingredients like oral antibiotics.

Customer-Reported Effects

While we did consider the effects listed on each product label, we paid even more attention to the effects reported by reviewers who had actually used these products as a part of an acne treatment plan. How long did it take them to see results? Did they notice an improvement in their acne, or did the product worsen it? What side effects, if any, did they note in their reviews? We tried to avoid featuring adult acne treatments that reviewers said would lead to clogged pores or make acne worse. We were also careful to read reviews from those with severe acne and mild to moderate acne.

How To Find The Best Hormonal Acne Treatments for Your Skin

If you’re trying to decide which of the above hormonal acne treatment options is best suited to your skin, here are some factors we suggest you focus on.

Skin Type Suitability

One of the complications of treating adult acne is that adults often have either dry or combination skin. Many topical treatments designed for younger people with acne contain ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, which tend to dry out the skin too much. Acne treatments marketed specifically for adult acne tend to be less drying, but it’s still important to ensure your chosen product is suitable for your skin type.

Ease of Use

There are many ways to treat acne. You can use a medicated wash, apply a medicated cream or gel to the affected area, or take supplements to treat hormonal acne. Your preference will largely depend on the style of product you find easiest to use, which often depends on your lifestyle.

Here are some of the most common types of hormonal acne treatments, along with their pros and cons in terms of usability.

Hormonal Acne Supplements

Hormonal acne supplements often only need to be taken once or twice a day. You swallow the capsule like you would any other supplement. These treatments are generally designed to manage hormonal acne at its source by helping to balance your levels of various nutrients and hormones. Most people find them simple to use, but you do have to be vigilant about taking them. If you’re someone who often forgets to take pills or who struggles to swallow pills for any reason, then an oral hormonal acne treatment is probably not a good fit.

Hormonal Acne Washes

Hormonal acne washes are medicated soaps or cleansers that you use in place of an ordinary cleanser. Most are designed to remove dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores, which in turn helps reduce hormonal acne breakouts. Hormonal acne washes are easy to use and work well for many people with mild adult acne. However, since the wash is only in contact with your face for a minute or so, this treatment option tends to be less effective than topical treatments like creams or gels.

Hormonal Acne Creams and Gels

Hormonal acne creams and gels are likely the most popular options for treating hormonal acne. They are easy to apply only to the areas that require treatment. Plus, since they stay in contact with the skin for a long time, they tend to be more effective than acne washes. The only downside to acne creams and gels is that they must be left to dry before you apply any other cosmetics. If you wear makeup, you may want to find one designed to be applied just once a day so you can apply it only in the evening. However, some hormonal acne gels absorb into the skin and work well with makeup.

Active Ingredients

Look at the product’s list of active ingredients and read a little about how each one works to treat hormonal acne. Does its mechanism of action align with your needs?

For example, some ingredients, like topical retinoids, work by increasing the rate at which you shed dead skin cells. This treatment may work well for you if you have clogged pores and dead, dry patches on your skin.

Other ingredients treat acne by reducing oil and sebum production. If you have mixed or oily skin, such ingredients are likely a good fit. Then, there are hormonal acne treatments that fight against acne-causing bacteria. If you break out more after sweating or forgetting to wash your face, these ingredients may work well.

Also, make sure the active ingredients are safe to use in conjunction with any other medications you may be taking. For example, if you are taking birth control pills, make sure you can safely use the hormonal acne treatment in combination with birth control pills.

Customer-Reported Effects

Read lots of reviews to see what other customers experience when treating acne with each product. Focus on reviews written by people with hormonal acne symptoms similar to yours. For instance, if you have a lot of clogged pores and blemishes along your chin and neck, read reviews from other customers with the same breakout patterns. Look for a product that lots of people find effective. The more consistent and positive the reviews are, the better.

Potential Benefits of Hormonal Acne Treatments

Here are some key benefits you can look forward to with hormonal acne treatments.

Fewer Acne Blemishes

Hormonal acne treatment is intended to decrease the number and severity of acne blemishes you experience. Some people find they hardly have any blemishes after a few weeks of treatment. Others still get blemishes here and there but find they are smaller and less plentiful. You may also notice that any blemishes you do develop heal faster.

Clearer Pores

Hormonal acne treatments tend to increase the rate at which skin cells shed. They also treat acne by reducing the production of oil and sebum. These changes, in turn, can lead to fewer clogged pores. Once people begin treating their hormonal acne, they often notice their pores look smaller, and their skin texture becomes smoother overall.

More Even Skin Tone

One of the key concerns with hormonal acne is that even once blemishes heal, they tend to leave discoloration and scarring. As such, many treatments for hormonal acne also contain ingredients like niacinamide, which help fade discoloration and promote a more even skin tone. On top of that, you will develop fewer new scars, and you will have fewer breakouts.

Potential Side Effects of Hormonal Acne Treatments

While most people respond well to hormonal acne products, some side effects pop up from time to time:

• Dryness: Topical retinoids like adapalene often cause dryness, especially when you’re first getting used to them. Usually, your skin will adapt and become less dry in time. Using a good moisturizer can also help.
• Redness: If your skin becomes red and irritated after using a hormonal acne treatment, the product you’re using is likely too harsh for your skin type. Look for a product recommended for sensitive skin instead.
• More Breakouts: Sometimes, hormonal acne treatments can make acne worse before they make it better. This is common with retinoids. Be patient; this stage generally passes within a few weeks.

FAQs

Do I use hormonal acne treatments every day?

Most hormonal acne treatments are designed to be used every day. However, with some treatments, it is best to begin by using the treatment every other day so your skin has some time to adapt. This approach can help minimize any redness or dryness you experience. After a week or two, you can advance to using the product daily. Check the label on the product you’re using for specific instructions.

How fast do hormonal acne treatments work?

How fast the treatment will work depends on a few different factors:

• The severity of your acne
• Which active ingredients the treatment contains
• How vigilant you are in applying or using the treatment as often as recommended

With most treatments, you can expect to see results within a week or two. Topical retinoids, like adapalene, may take a few weeks longer to cause a noticeable improvement.

Is it safe to use hormonal acne treatment with birth control pills?

Most hormonal acne treatment is safe to use with birth control pills. In fact, some hormonal acne products are most effective when taken in conjunction with birth control pills. However, just to be safe, if you take birth control pills, it is a good idea to check the product label and have a conversation with your doctor before you begin using a new acne treatment.

Is hormonal acne treatment only for women?

It’s common for women to experience hormonal acne in their 20s, 30s, and beyond. As such, many hormonal acne treatments are developed with women in mind. However, men can also develop hormonal acne, especially along their jawline and chin. Some products are suitable for men and women. If you’re a man with hormonal acne, just check the product labels before you buy a treatment. Most products that are suitable for men will say so on the label.

Find The Acne Treatment Plan That Works For You!

Some products can help clear your pores, prevent breakouts, and reduce discoloration if you struggle with hormonal acne breakouts. Whether you’re looking for a topical treatment or an oral supplement, consider the abovementioned top five products. They are all easy to use, effective, and beloved by customers. You deserve to have clear, healthy skin, and these products can give you just that.