Can Testosterone Trigger Acne?
January 27, 2025
4 mins
When you think of this hormone, it's easy to think of the stereotypes associated with manliness and strength. But, testosterone is an important hormone for both men and women..
Testosterone is a key component of puberty, body hair growth, voice deepening, sexual arousal, and red blood cell production. When there is a sudden increase in testosterone in the body from testosterone therapy can lead to a hormonal imbalance.
A hormonal imbalance may lead to physical changes in your body that you’ve never experienced before. Even men who never experienced acne during puberty may experience hormonal acne while taking testosterone.
What Causes Acne?
You may see a pimple here or there from clogged pores after working out extensively or wearing non-breathable fabric on the face and body. Sweat and tight fabrics can trap sebum (oil) and dirt in the pores if not cleaned immediately. The pores are tiny openings in the follicles on the surface of the skin.
Those more genetically prone to acne may experience acne flares regardless of how careful they are with their skin. They are also more genetically prone to acne and are more likely to see it flare up again while using testosterone.
The hormonal imbalance caused by testosterone can lead to a build-up of oil on the skin's surface, which can lead to pimples and irritation. Men often experience hormonal acne because of oil and bacteria build-up in facial hair and from an overproduction of testosterone.
What are the Different Types of Acne?
The appearance and texture of the lesions on your skin can tell a healthcare provider a lot about the type of acne you may have.
The main types of acne that show up on a person's skin can be any of the following:
Inflammatory acne: This type of acne occurs from inflammation underneath the skin. It leads to papules — often red, tender bumps underneath the skin full of pus.
Nodular acne: Those with nodular acne may see bigger lesions on the skin that become more tender over time. Nodules are abnormal tissue growths underneath the skin that grow in size over time.
Comedonal acne: This type of acne is typically not caused by inflammation. Small clogged follicles (whiteheads) and open comedones (blackheads) are tiny lesions on the skin that form when pores are blocked or clogged with oil. It’s often caused by genetics.
Nodulocystic acne: Cysts are pus-filled lesions underneath the skin. This is a more severe type of acne causing swollen nodules and painful red bumps.
Hormonal acne: This type of acne is caused by an imbalance of hormones in the body. It’s a common form of acne among adults that varies in severity. Some people may experience pain while others may just see visible changes on their skin.
Testosterone tends to lead to hormonal acne. Those with hormonal acne may see inflammation on the cheeks, chin, chest, upper arms, and back.
What Type of Acne Can Result from Testosterone?
Acne from testosterone therapy tends to be more persistent than occasional acne. Testosterone may cause the skin to overproduce oil which leads to hormonal acne.
While hormonal acne may sound like more of a teenage issue, the adult body goes through many changes that can lead to an imbalance in hormones. Eating certain types of foods can also trigger hormonal acne in some people.
How to Get Rid of Acne Caused by Testosterone
If you notice blemishes on your skin after starting testosterone therapy, a dermatologist (healthcare provider specializing in skin treatment) can help you craft a treatment plan. They can help you craft a treatment plan without having to reduce your testosterone dosage.
Acne can be a difficult condition to treat since there is not one single source of an acne breakout. A number of factors can contribute to one acne breakout.
In the beginning stages of acne treatment, it’s not uncommon to feel like your acne worsens before it gets better. Be honest with your healthcare provider about any changes to your skin when receiving treatment.
What are the Treatment Options for Acne Caused by Testosterone?
Medications for acne caused by testosterone may need to be taken for longer than other kinds of hormonal acne. Each acne treatment plan is tailored to the individual.
A dermatologist may recommend trying oil-free skin care products to reduce a buildup of oil on your skin. Other skin recommendations may include exfoliating, using benzoyl peroxide products, or taking oral retinoids.
Isotretinoin is a common medication used to treat hormonal acne. You can find it under many brand names including Accutane.
Treatment with this medication can typically last for at least four to five months. This type of medication can be very strong and have a number of side effects.
Side effects of isotretinoin
Both women and men experience hormonal acne. Because of the severity of the medication, it’s strongly advised to prevent pregnancy while on the medication. The medication can also be extremely drying because of its focus on producing an overproduction of oil.
While taking isotretinoin you may experience:
Dry skin
Nosebleeds
Eye irritation
Dry mouth
Sun sensitivity
Trouble seeing at night
Thinning hair
Constipation
Be sure to stay hydrated while taking isotretinoin. Drinking plenty of water daily can help prevent many of these side effects. These side effects tend to go away once you stop using the medication.
Tips for preventing hormonal acne
It may take a while to see the effects you want to see when treating your acne. A great starting point is to make sure you wash your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser.
You can also get in the habit of regularly changing your pillowcases weekly to prevent clogged pores. Even when you don’t realize it, oil and dirt builds up on fabrics that come into contact with your skin often.
Try to avoid foods that are high in fat and sugar. Overprocessed foods may worsen acne flare-ups.
Supplements for hormonal acne
While research is limited, certain vitamins and minerals may help protect your skin from inflammation.
Supplements for acne caused by a hormonal imbalance:
Vitamin A
Vitamin E
Magnesium
Be sure to let a healthcare provider know if you are taking any vitamins or supplements before starting a medication for your acne.
What are Other Possible Side Effects of Too Much Testosterone?
Acne is only one possible side effect of testosterone therapy or an overproduction of testosterone in the body. Other signs your body may show that indicate an overproduction of testosterone include:
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Changes in sperm count
Excessive body hair growth
Mood swings
Hypotension (low blood pressure)
Slurred speech
How Rex MD Can Help
If you have a history of acne flare-ups, testosterone therapy may cause some changes to your skin. The Rex MD TestoRx Program offers a variety of treatment options like clomid and sermorelin for you to find what works best. Some treatments may work better for acne prone skin than others.
A licensed healthcare provider can order lab work for you to determine your eligibility for treatment if clinically appropriate. Get started today on exploring your options.