How do hormones cause jawline acne breakouts in women?

Many people have learned about girls and their hormones, leading them to believe that this is exactly what makes women emotional and sometimes moody. Some have heard of Pre-Menstrual Syndrome, otherwise called PMS, and its effects on females' moods and acne outbreaks. But few people know the science supporting a woman's hormones, and furthermore, how those hormones have an effect on the skin.

Hormones:

Hormones are chemical messengers that travel from glands to cells in different parts of the body, triggering biological reactions and functions. They are key in adolescence, when a young person is going through puberty.

Hormonal Acne:

While acne typically first appears during puberty, hormonal acne usually begins from the early-to-mid twenties and may persist well into adulthood. When specific oil producing hormones are triggered, acne breakouts are the outcome. Normally, feminine skin tends to break out before or during the menstrual cycle. This is due to changes in hormonal levels. Adult jawline acne and hormones causes much distress for many women, leading them to try out acne scars cream. Knowing the main cause of acne sheds light on possible internal treatments.

The Biochemical Cause of Acne:

The reply to the hormones influence acne breakouts in girls is the hormone androgen. As androgens are released before the menstrual cycle, sebaceous glands are stimulated and sebum is produced. Whether this sebum becomes trapped in the pores, pimples may result.

From the start of the menstrual cycle, estrogen levels in the female body steadily grow. Roughly 36 hours before ovulation, these levels will peak. Androgen levels grow, and it's actually converted to estrogen by the ovaries. This is the reason why many women witness acne breakouts right before their menstrual cycles. The body needs the additional estrogen for ovulation to occur, and surprisingly it's the male hormone, androgen, that causes this additional hormonal kick possible.

Whenever hormones in the body fluctuate, such as before menstruation, menopause, or during pregnancy, we see acne breakouts caused by increased androgen levels. Stress also may trigger acne in women. Researchers have found a relationship between increased stress levels and higher levels of acne in girls with fast-paced careers. In response to pressure, the body produces more androgens, and the oil glands are stimulated, causing acne.

Some women get acne when they stop taking birth control pills. The pills may have been maintaining their acne at bay. Birth control pills have progesterone and estrogen. On the pill, the body doesn't make as much androgen to be converted to estrogen, since it's getting estrogen from the medication. 

Treating Hormonal Acne

There are lots of treatment options available for women with hormonal acne, including topical retinoids, topical antimicrobials (such as benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics), and oral antibiotics that are prescribed when the inflammation is more severe. Anti-androgen medication is also available.

Oral contraceptive pills are also effective for treating hormonal acne. They contain estrogen, which regulates the menstrual cycle and decreases the androgen activity responsible for acne, leading to decreased breakouts.