Hormonal Acne: Why It Happens (and How to Actually Fix It)

Breakouts on your chin, jawline, or cheeks that flare up with your cycle? That’s not random—it’s hormonal.

When your hormones are out of balance, your skin is often the first to show it. And no amount of exfoliating or spot treatments will work if the issue is internal. Let’s talk about what’s really going on—and what actually helps.

What Is Hormonal Acne?

Hormonal acne is triggered by fluctuations in key hormones—especially estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol. It often shows up as:

  • Painful, cystic breakouts on the lower face (jawline, chin, cheeks)
  • Flare-ups before your period or around ovulation
  • Oily skin, enlarged pores, and inflammation

Why Hormonal Imbalance Affects Your Skin

  • Estrogen dominance: Too much estrogen (especially compared to progesterone) can increase oil production and inflammation
  • Low progesterone: Less of this calming hormone = more cortisol and inflammation
  • High cortisol: Stress increases sebum (oil) and throws off skin barrier balance

What Triggers Hormonal Acne?

It’s not just your skincare routine. Internal triggers include:

  • Chronic stress and poor sleep
  • Imbalanced blood sugar (hello, sugar crashes and cravings)
  • Environmental toxins or synthetic hormones (from birth control or plastics)
  • Poor estrogen metabolism (your liver and gut matter more than you think)

How to Clear Hormonal Acne from the Inside Out

1. Support Estrogen Detox

DIM helps your body metabolize and eliminate excess estrogen, which reduces hormonal breakouts—especially around your period.

Not Today, Estrogen includes DIM and magnesium glycinate to support mood and inflammation levels while promoting hormonal clarity.

2. Balance Cortisol (Your Stress Hormone)

Stress = more breakouts. Adaptogens like Rhodiola and Shilajit help lower cortisol and calm the nervous system, so your skin can reset.

They’re key players in Cortisol, Who?—your skin’s stress antidote.

3. Clean Up Your Skincare + Lifestyle

  • Use fragrance-free, non-comedogenic products
  • Change your pillowcase often
  • Get 7–9 hours of sleep to allow hormone repair
  • Eat to stabilize blood sugar (protein, fiber, healthy fats)

Real Acne Solutions Start Below the Surface

If you’ve tried everything topically and still break out around your cycle, it’s time to look inward. Hormonal acne is a sign your system needs support—not punishment.

Alori’s Hormonal Skin Support Stack

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