A detailed journey from severe hormonal acne to clear skin.
My Background
At 32, I developed severe hormonal acne around my jawline and chin. After years of trying everything, here's what finally worked.
Month 1: Getting Professional Help
I stopped trying to fix it myself and saw a dermatologist who:
- Diagnosed hormonal acne (adult female pattern)
- Prescribed spironolactone 100mg daily
- Started tretinoin 0.025% cream
- Recommended stopping dairy
What I Learned
Hormonal acne needs internal treatment, not just topical products.
Month 2: The Adjustment Period
Challenges:
- Skin purging from tretinoin
- Adjusting to spironolactone (increased urination initially)
- Breaking dairy addiction
- No visible improvement yet
What Helped:
- Staying patient and consistent
- Using a gentle, hydrating routine
- Tracking progress with photos
Month 3: First Improvements
Changes I Noticed:
- Fewer new breakouts
- Existing cysts healing faster
- Less oiliness throughout the day
- Better skin texture
Routine Additions:
- Azelaic acid for hyperpigmentation
- Niacinamide serum for oil control
Month 4-5: Major Progress
Results:
- 60% reduction in active breakouts
- No new cystic acne
- Significant improvement in scarring
- Skin tone evening out
Lifestyle Changes:
- Added regular exercise
- Improved sleep schedule (7-8 hours)
- Stress management techniques
- Balanced diet (low sugar, no dairy)
Month 6: Clear Skin Achievement
Final Results:
- 95% reduction in acne
- No active breakouts
- Working on residual scarring
- Confident without makeup
My Current Routine
Morning:
- Gentle cream cleanser
- Niacinamide serum
- Moisturizer with SPF 50
Evening:
- Oil cleanser
- Foaming cleanser
- Azelaic acid (3x weekly)
- Tretinoin 0.05%
- Rich moisturizer
Internal:
- Spironolactone 100mg daily
- Multivitamin
- Omega-3 supplement
Key Takeaways
- See a dermatologist - Hormonal acne needs prescription treatment
- Be patient - Real improvement takes 3-6 months minimum
- Address root causes - Topicals alone won't fix hormonal issues
- Lifestyle matters - Diet, sleep, and stress all play a role
- Stay consistent - Missing days sets you back
Advice for Others Struggling
Don't waste years trying random products like I did. If you suspect hormonal acne (breakouts around jawline/chin, worse before period), see a dermatologist immediately. The right treatment changes everything.