If you are an adult dealing with frustrating hormonal acne breakouts, chances are you’ve already been on the hunt for treatment options that work. Hormonal acne is defined as acne breakouts resulting from changes in your hormones. While it’s more common during puberty, these breakouts can occur well into adulthood, leaving you embarrassed by sudden pimples or even painful cysts. 

What does hormonal acne look like?
During puberty, hormonal acne often occurs on the areas of the face known as the T-zone, which includes the forehead, nose, and chin. For adults, hormonal acne will often appear on the cheeks and along the jawline. These acne breakouts can appear as small pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, or even painful cysts that form deep under the skin. 

Androgens, a group of sex hormones including testosterone, can cause the overproduction of sebum (oil) in the skin glands, which clogs the hair follicles and can also lead to the production of acne-causing bacteria. 
 
Treatment for hormonal acne
Most cases of hormonal acne cannot be resolved with over-the-counter medications and will require a prescription from a doctor. The following treatments may be recommended to address hormonal acne: 

• Oral Contraceptives – Birth control can be a great option to treat acne for women who are healthy and also in need of contraception. Birth control pills containing both estrogen and progesterone can help control and lower the amount of androgens in the body, decreasing sebum production and reducing acne breakouts. 
• Anti-Androgen Medications – Anti-androgen medications can be used in both men and women to decrease the male hormone androgen. Spironolactone, a high blood pressure medication, has been proven effective in lowering androgen and improving hormone stabilization to reduce breakouts.
• Retinoids – Topical retinoids are a good option for mild cases of hormonal acne. These creams are available over-the-counter or in prescription strength from your doctor. Individuals using retinoids should take to utilizing sunscreen daily. 

How much does hormonal acne treatment cost?
The cost of treatment varies depending on the type of medication or therapy used. Individuals may need to go through several options before finding a treatment or combination of treatments that work.