You’ve tried the serums. The facials. The exfoliants. You drink water like it’s your job. And still—your skin stays breaking out.

If your acne isn’t just popping up around your period, but lingering all month long (especially around the jawline and chin), you’re likely dealing with chronic hormonal acne—and that’s not something you can spot-treat into submission.

This kind of acne has roots. Deep ones. And they start in your hormones.

🧬 What Is Consistent Hormonal Acne?

Unlike PMS breakouts that flare up pre-period and fade after your bleed, consistent hormonal acne sticks around regardless of where you are in your cycle. It often shows up as:

• Deep, painful cysts under the skin

• Jawline, chin, and lower cheek breakouts

• New breakouts as soon as old ones heal
  

• Oily skin or stubborn blackheads
  

• Scarring or dark marks that don’t fade easily
  

It’s internal. It’s hormonal. And if it hasn’t responded to cleansers or prescriptions, that’s because it needs internal balance—not just external care.

🔍 What’s Causing It?

1. Elevated Androgens (Testosterone & DHT)

These hormones increase sebum production, thicken skin cells, and clog pores. High androgens = more oil, more inflammation, and deeper, longer-lasting breakouts.

2. Insulin Resistance or Blood Sugar Spikes

Blood sugar swings raise insulin, which tells your ovaries and adrenal glands to make more androgens. This is a common loop in women with PCOS or chronic stress.

3. Poor Estrogen Clearance

If your liver and gut aren’t properly detoxing estrogen, it can worsen inflammation and contribute to hormonal chaos—even if estrogen isn’t the main issue.

4. Chronic Stress & Cortisol Dysregulation

Cortisol directly impacts your skin barrier, gut health, and ovulation—all of which affect acne. It also nudges your body to make more androgens. Lovely.

🧠 Clues You’re Dealing With Androgen-Driven Acne

• Breakouts persist all month long (not just before your period)
  

• You also struggle with facial hair, hair thinning, or oily skin
  

• Your periods are irregular, or you have signs of PCOS
  

• Your skin feels inflamed or congested no matter what you apply

• Your acne is resistant to topicals or keeps coming back after antibiotics or Accutane
  

🌿 How to Support Consistent Hormonal Acne (From the Inside Out)

💊 Key Supplements + Herbs

• Spearmint – clinically shown to reduce testosterone and improve skin
  

• Saw Palmetto – blocks DHT (the more potent, acne-triggering form of testosterone)
  

• Zinc – calms inflammation, supports healing, and reduces oil production
  

• Chaste Tree (Vitex) – helps regulate ovulation and balances progesterone
  

• Omega-3s – reduce inflammation and support skin barrier health

• Magnesium – regulates cortisol and blood sugar, helping prevent androgen spikes

👉 These ingredients are foundational in HERsutism and Balancing Brew, our internal skin-clearing duo.

🥗 Nutritional Shifts That Make a Difference

• Focus on low-glycemic, blood sugar–friendly meals
   → Think: protein, fiber, healthy fats, and slow carbs (quinoa, lentils, berries)
  

• Avoid insulin-spiking foods like sugary lattes, refined carbs, and energy drinks
  

• Eat cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, arugula) for estrogen clearance

• Stay hydrated, but also mineralized—add trace minerals or a pinch of salt to your water

😮💨 Lifestyle Tools to Rewire Your Skin from Within

• Prioritize stress management—cortisol drives androgen production
   → Breathwork, journaling, boundaries, adaptogens
  

• Get 7–9 hours of sleep—your skin and hormones reset overnight
  

• Gentle, regular movement (especially strength training or walking) helps insulin sensitivity
  

• Support gut health with fiber, fermented foods, and a consistent bowel routine (yes, really)

🧴 What About Skincare?

Topicals can support your healing, but they can’t override your hormones. Still, they matter—especially if your barrier is inflamed.

⚠️ What About Medication?

Many women with persistent hormonal acne are prescribed:

• Spironolactone – blocks androgen receptors
  

• Oral contraceptives – suppress ovulation to flatten hormonal fluctuations
  

• Retinoids or Accutane – reduce oil and acne long-term
  

These can work—but acne often comes back if you stop without addressing the root causes. And for some, side effects like mood changes, gut issues, or rebound breakouts are real concerns.

That’s why many choose to pair medication with natural hormone support, or transition off meds once their internal balance is restored.

TL;DR: Chronic Hormonal Acne Isn’t a Skincare Problem. It’s a Hormone Problem.

✅ Consistent jawline or cystic breakouts are usually caused by androgens—not clogged pores
✅ PCOS, blood sugar issues, and stress are all major drivers
✅ Natural ingredients like spearmint, saw palmetto, zinc and vitex help restore balance
✅ Pair internal support with gentle skincare and blood sugar regulation
✅ Medications can help—but root-level healing is what makes results last

💛 Ready to support your skin from the inside out?

👉 Try HERsutism for hormonal acne + androgen support
👉 Try our Post Pluck Toner for gentle exfoliation