When acne keeps coming back around your chin, jawline, or neck—especially before your period—it’s not just about oily skin or dirty pores. It’s likely hormonal acne treatment, a type of acne driven by fluctuations in androgens like testosterone that trigger excess oil and clogged pores. Also known as adult female acne, this isn’t teenage acne with a delay. It’s a hormonal signal your body is sending, and treating it like regular acne won’t fix the root cause.
That’s why many people turn to oral contraceptives, combination birth control pills that lower androgen levels and reduce sebum production. Also known as combination pills, they’re FDA-approved for acne and often help when topical treatments fail. But not all birth control works the same—some contain anti-androgenic progestins like drospirenone or norgestimate, which are more effective than others. Then there’s spironolactone, a blood pressure drug repurposed to block androgen receptors in the skin. Also known as Aldactone, it’s a go-to for women who can’t or won’t take birth control, and it works even when pills don’t. These aren’t quick fixes. It takes 3 to 6 months to see real change, and stopping treatment often brings the acne back.
What you won’t find in most doctor’s offices is a one-size-fits-all plan. Some people need both pills and spironolactone. Others do better with just topical retinoids or low-dose antibiotics paired with hormonal therapy. And then there are the traps—like assuming all acne is hormonal just because it’s adult, or thinking that switching cleansers will fix it. The truth is, if your breakouts line up with your cycle, if you have deep, painful cysts, or if you’re dealing with excess hair or irregular periods too, hormones are the likely culprit. That’s why the best treatments target the system, not just the surface.
What you’ll find in the posts below are real comparisons and practical guides—how rifampin can wreck birth control effectiveness, why some acne meds interact with thyroid drugs, how to layer skincare with hormonal treatments, and what alternatives exist when one option doesn’t work. No fluff. No hype. Just what actually helps, what doesn’t, and what you need to ask your doctor before starting anything.
