#hormonalacne

having suffered from multiple acne problems from the age of 15 onwards i am no stranger to this battle.

i have also struggled with relationships. i worry way too much and i have turned men away countless times due to these fears. i feel so much better not having the pressure of a relationship than to be in one. i prefer to be alone.

but then it got to the point where i was 23, single and alone. i wanted and needed someone. it was time.

i met a wonderful man. a perfect man. a man that was going to love me no matter what and make me feel alive again. but my acne was back.

i went on antibiotics but it was on my back this time, not my face. it was adult acne. oh joys. like i hadn't suffered enough. hormonal changes that i couldn’t control. i tried different detergents to wash my clothes in. i tried creams, soaps, scrubs, pills, dietary changes. but of course, nothing worked. i even tried cleaning my back, maybe three times a day but i realised that no one else did this. a normal human being could not do this. it was insane. 

the relationship was going well but the anxiety of whether i would have a break out or not not killing me. whether he would notice. if he ever touched my back i would instantly cringe away even though i really wanted him to touch me. to love me. did he notice? was he as disgusted in me as i was? all of these questions will remain unanswered because i cannot bear to even utter the words. there’s nothing worse than talking about it. the disgust. the mental and physical pain. the fact that i couldn't control it. it was poison for my mind, worse than the acne itself.

i have now stumbled upon a spray that i wear every day and it actually has turned my life around. it helps to control the bacteria, which was the cause in the end. i get the odd one but it is no where near how it was and it is something i can now, finally, control. i can maintain.

but this was months after the relationship had even started and now, i can finally breathe. i can relax even. the little breakouts i get are so manageable. i can take my makeup off around him and even get changed infront of him, which is something i would never have done before. i feel like a weight has been lifted.

but now, of course there are other things on my mind. there always are. but that’s just the disease isn't it. the mental disease that so many of us have yet so many of us do not talk about.

Why My Skin Changed Every Month Without Any Reason

For a long time, I thought my skin problems were random.

Some days my skin looked clear and glowing, and suddenly, within a few days, breakouts, dullness, and oiliness would increase. I kept blaming skincare products, weather changes, and even stress.

But the real reason was something I completely ignored—my hormones.

When I finally started observing my skin patterns closely, I realized my skin was directly connected to my monthly hormonal cycle.

This discovery changed my entire skincare approach.

Understanding the Skin–Hormone Connection

As a woman, your body goes through natural hormonal changes every month. These changes affect your skin more than you might realize.

During certain days, your body produces more oil, which can lead to pimples. On other days, your skin may feel dry, sensitive, or dull.

I used to panic every time my skin broke out. But later I understood—it wasn’t permanent damage, it was just a cycle.

1. Before Periods: The Breakout Phase

A few days before my periods, my skin used to become oily and acne-prone.

I noticed small pimples around my jawline and chin area.

What I learned:

This is due to increased hormone activity, especially androgen levels, which increase oil production.

What helped me:

Gentle cleansing (no harsh scrubs)

Avoiding heavy makeup

Drinking more water

2. During Periods: Sensitive Skin Phase

During my periods, my skin became more sensitive and dry.

Even simple skincare products sometimes caused irritation.

My solution:

Minimal skincare routine

Hydrating moisturizer

Avoiding active ingredients like strong acids

3. After Periods: The Glow Phase

This was my favorite phase.

After my periods, my skin naturally started looking calmer, clearer, and more radiant.

I used to think this was luck, but it was actually hormonal balance.

What I did:

Focused on hydration

Maintained good sleep

Ate more fresh fruits and greens

4. Stress + Hormones = Skin Chaos

One thing I noticed clearly was that stress made everything worse.

When I was stressed, even during the “good phase,” my skin would still break out.

Stress affects hormones, which directly impacts skin health.

What helped me:

Walking daily

Reducing screen time

Deep breathing exercises

My Biggest Skin Realization

Once I understood my hormonal cycle, I stopped fighting my skin.

Instead of panicking during breakouts, I started supporting my skin according to each phase.