Hormonal acne is when breakouts form in adulthood that could range from blackheads and whiteheads to painful cysts. Hormonal acne is linked to the overproduction of sebum (an oily substance in skin glands), which clogs pores, leading to pimples. Though often unavoidable, hormonal acne can be treated to prevent future breakouts from forming.

Hormonal acne, also known as adult acne, affects adults between the ages of 20 and 50. Acne causes bumps on your face, shoulders, chest and back in the following forms:

• Pimples
• Blackheads
• Whiteheads
• Cysts

Hormonal acne is the direct result of excess sebum in oil glands

WHAT CAN MAKE HORMONAL ACNE WORSE?

• Stress.
• Pollution.
• High humidity.
• Squeezing or picking at blemishes.
• Poor diet (specifically refined carbohydrates and sugars).

SYMPTOMS 

Acne causes lesions (damaged skin tissue) that can become inflamed and be red, painful or sore. Lesions are most likely to appear on your cheeks, but may also appear in the following places:

• Face.
• Neck.
• Back.
• Shoulders.
• Chest.

Hormonal acne can appear as the following types of lesions:

• Whiteheads.
• Blackheads.
• Papules (raised skin tissue, 2-5 mm in diameter).
• Pustules (skin bumps that contain pus, 2-5 mm in diameter).
• Cysts (pockets under the skin that contain fluid).