How to Tell What's Hormonal Acne & What's Bacterial Acne

At Mint & Needle, we understand that navigating the world of acne is no small feat. While it might seem like a million things could be contributing to your breakouts, it’s important to know that acne is really caused by one main factor: excess sebum. Sebum is an oily substance produced by your skin's sebaceous glands to keep your skin lubricated and protected. While sebum is mostly a good thing, as its job is to maintain your skin's natural barrier, overproduction can clog pores and lead to breakouts. As with most things, balance is important!

Various factors can lead to increased sebum production, but ultimately, it comes down to two main types of acne: bacterial and hormonal. Understanding the difference between hormonal and bacterial acne is essential for effective treatment and prevention. In this blog, we'll help you identify the type of acne you're dealing with and provide tips on how to manage it.

What is Hormonal Acne?

Hormonal acne is triggered by fluctuations in hormones, which can occur due to menstrual cycles, pregnancy, menopause, and the use of birth control pills or hormonal therapies. It often appears around the jawline, chin, and neck, typically flaring up at the same time each month. The lesions are usually deep pimples, cysts, and nodules that can be painful and inflamed. These hormonal surges increase oil production in the pores, which can clog them and lead to pimples and other breakouts. (Frustrating, we know!)

What is Bacterial Acne?

Bacterial acne, on the other hand, is caused by the proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) bacteria. Contributing factors include poor skincare routines, excess oil production, or blocked pores. This type of acne can appear anywhere on the face or body and can occur at any time. The lesions include whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, and papules, often resulting in surface-level pimples, redness, and sometimes pus formation.

Key Differences Between Hormonal & bacterial Acne

Understanding the differences can help you identify which type of acne you have. 

• Hormonal acne is primarily caused by hormonal imbalances and tends to appear around the jawline, chin, and neck, with cysts that flare up cyclically.
• Bacterial acne can appear anywhere on the face or body and includes a variety of lesions like whiteheads, blackheads, and pustules.

Treatment Approaches

Hormonal: 

Treating hormonal acne often involves hormonal therapies such as birth control pills or anti-androgens, alongside lifestyle changes like a healthy diet and stress management. Topical treatments like retinoids and salicylic acid can also be effective. We also recommend trying our Acne Control Serum on active lesions or Mini Peel Pads.

Bacterial:

For bacterial acne, treatment typically includes topical antibiotics to reduce bacteria, benzoyl peroxide to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation. Practicing a proper skincare routine, avoiding pore-clogging products, and regularly cleansing and exfoliating your skin can help prevent breakouts.

Our Clarifying Cleanser is amongst our favorites as it’s formulated specifically for acne-prone skin with Salicylic Acid and a mix of botanical extracts and essential oils to keep your skin moisturized while fighting away acne-causing bacteria.

If you are looking for a product that is gentle to use daily, and strong enough to fight your battle with bacteria for you, give our Acne Control Serum a try. This serum contains two acne-fighting musts: Benzoyl Peroxide and Glycolic Acid. When in doubt, it’s always best to consult a provider who can provide personalized advice and treatment plans.

By understanding the differences between hormonal and bacterial acne, you can tailor your skincare routine to effectively manage and prevent the peskiest of breakouts. Remember, everyone's skin is unique, and what works for one person may not work for you. Be patient and persistent with your skincare regimen, and of course, feel free to schedule a skincare consultation with us at Mint & Needle to see what the best route is for your skin.