Hormonal acne - it's not that simple.

You’ve probably heard it before:“It’s hormonal acne, just blame testosterone.”

But here’s the truth: acne isn’t driven by testosterone alone. It’s a symptom, not a diagnosis, and multiple hormones and biochemical factors influence your skin. Each person’s imbalance is unique, so there’s no one-size fits-all solution.

While androgens like testosterone and DHT play a role in sebum production and inflammation, other hormones and pathways can contribute to breakouts:

• Oestrogen & progesterone: Imbalances or slow clearance affect skin cell turnover.

• Insulin & IGF-1: High levels can overstimulate oil production and acne lesions.

• Cortisol dysregulation: Chronic stress disrupts the HPA axis, altering inflammatory responses in the skin.

• Gut-related hormones & metabolites: Gut dysbiosis can recycle oestrogens and impair detoxification pathways.

Labeling acne as “hormonal” and blaming testosterone alone stops the conversation too soon. To truly clear your skin, we need to ask: why are these hormones out of balance?

The Root-Cause Approach to Hormonal Acne

At derm360º, we focus on identifying the underlying biochemical causes of your acne, not just treating symptoms. That means looking at factors like:

• Blood sugar and insulin regulation

• Gut health and microbiome balance

• Liver detoxification pathways

• Stress response and cortisol rhythms

• Nutrient deficiencies that affect hormone metabolism

Once we understand your unique hormonal and metabolic profile, we develop a personalised plan using:

• Targeted nutrition: adding foods tailored to support your hormones and metabolism

• Supplementation: micronutrients and botanicals to optimise hormone balance

• Lifestyle adjustments: stress management, sleep, and gut-supporting habits.

Takeaway

It’s not just about eating healthy; even a balanced diet can miss the mark if it doesn’t address your specific hormonal drivers. Personalisation is key, because no two people have the same root cause or acne plan.

So if you’ve been told “it’s just hormones,” take it as an invitation to dig deeper. Hormonal acne is complex, and clearing it requires a strategic and targeted plan.

At derm360º, we specialise in personalised, root-cause acne treatment that combines science-backed nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle strategies to restore balance from the inside out.