How Hormones Impact Oily Skin and Overall Skin Health

Understanding your hormones is one of the most underrated keys to healthy, balanced skin. While skincare products can treat surface-level symptoms, hormonal shifts often explain why your skin suddenly becomes oily, dry, breakout-prone, or sensitive—seemingly out of nowhere. In this guide, we’ll explore the hormone most responsible for oily skin and look at how your endocrine system impacts skin health overall.

🔑 Key Points

• Androgens and testosterone are the primary hormones that increase oil production.
  

• Hormonal changes from stress, menstruation, menopause, and certain medications can affect skin balance.
  

• Addressing hormonal imbalance often requires both skincare and lifestyle/hormonal support.
  

• Knowing your skin's hormonal triggers can guide better treatment choices—including professional help.
  
  

What Are Hormones and How Do They Affect the Skin?

Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate essential body functions, including metabolism, mood, and—you guessed it—skin health. They influence how much oil your skin produces, your skin’s hydration levels, and even how quickly your skin renews itself.

Here’s a breakdown of some key hormones and their effects on skin:

What Hormone Causes Oily Skin?

The main culprits behind oily skin are androgens, a group of hormones that includes testosterone. These hormones increase the size and activity of sebaceous (oil) glands, especially in the face, chest, and back.

Even small fluctuations in androgen levels can significantly impact sebum production—especially during puberty, before your period, or during times of hormonal imbalance (like PCOS or menopause).

Women also produce testosterone (just in lower amounts), and an imbalance—such as elevated testosterone—can contribute to acne and increased oiliness.

✨ Related: Learn more about hormonal acne and the ideal skincare for oily skin.

Other Hormones That Affect Skin Health

Source: Freepik

Hormones don’t act alone. Let’s explore how other common ones play a role:

1. Estrogen - Supports hydration, collagen production, and skin thickness. Low estrogen can lead to dryness and increased sensitivity.
2. Progesterone - Often rises during the luteal phase of your cycle and may trigger breakouts or puffiness by increasing skin oil or swelling.
3. Cortisol - When stress spikes, cortisol levels rise. This can increase oil production, slow healing, and trigger stress acne.
4. Thyroid Hormones - Hypothyroidism may lead to dry, dull skin. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, can cause oiliness and flushing.
5. Insulin and IGF-1 - High sugar intake and insulin resistance can increase IGF-1, a hormone that drives sebum and acne formation.
6. Melatonin - Produced at night, melatonin helps repair skin and protect it from oxidative stress.
7. Growth Hormone - Promotes tissue repair, elasticity, and cell turnover—especially during sleep.

Hormones play a powerful and complex role in skin health—far beyond just estrogen and progesterone. Understanding how these various hormones affect your skin can help explain sudden changes, persistent concerns, or flare-ups. If you're noticing shifts in your skin that seem tied to stress, sleep, or overall health, it may be time to get expert guidance. Book a consultation with our team at Skin to Heart to uncover the root causes and get personalised care.

Women’s Hormones and Skin Health: How Life Stages May Affect Skin

Source: freepik

Hormones play a major role in skin changes throughout a woman’s life. Here’s how different stages can affect your skin:

1. Menstrual Cycle

Throughout your monthly cycle, hormonal fluctuations can cause noticeable changes in your skin. In the luteal phase—the week before your period—rising levels of progesterone and testosterone can increase oil production, leading to clogged pores and breakouts, especially around the jawline and chin. You may also notice your skin feels more congested or inflamed during this time.

2. Pregnancy

Pregnancy brings major hormonal shifts, including increased estrogen and progesterone. For some, this results in glowing, radiant skin thanks to boosted blood flow and oil production. For others, it may trigger melasma (dark patches on the face), sensitivity, or excessive oiliness. Skin reactions during pregnancy can vary significantly from person to person.

3. Post-Pregnancy

After giving birth, estrogen levels drop sharply. This hormonal dip often leads to dry, irritated, or breakout-prone skin, even if you had clear skin during pregnancy. Your skin barrier may also feel weaker, making it more reactive to products or environmental triggers. Hydration and barrier-repairing skin care are especially important during this phase.

4. Menopause

Menopause is marked by a significant decline in estrogen, which plays a key role in maintaining skin hydration, elasticity, and thickness. As estrogen drops, the skin may become thinner, drier, and more sensitive. You may also notice an increase in fine lines, sagging, or dullness which are signs of premature ageing. Hormonal imbalance can also lead to unexpected breakouts or a change in skin texture.

5. Birth Control or Medications

Hormonal contraceptives can influence oil production and breakouts. Some birth control pills help regulate hormones, reduce acne, and balance sebum, while others—or sudden discontinuation—can trigger flare-ups. Changes in medication or hormone therapy can also impact your skin’s overall balance, so it’s best to consult a skin specialist when noticing any changes..

Can Balancing or Optimising Hormones Help Your Skin?

Yes—especially when skin issues are linked to internal imbalances. Addressing underlying hormone dysfunction may:

• Reduce oiliness or acne
  

• Improve dryness and sensitivity
  

• Support a healthier skin barrier and glow
  
  

This might involve lifestyle changes, dietary tweaks, stress management, or medical advice. It's also why your skincare alone may not be enough.

When to Seek Professional Help for Hormonal Skin Issues

If your skin issues persist despite a consistent skincare routine—or tend to flare with your menstrual cycle, stress levels, or major life events like pregnancy or menopause—it may be time to go deeper than surface-level solutions. Hormonal imbalances often require a more holistic and medically informed approach.

You might benefit from:

• Hormonal testing to assess levels of androgens, estrogen, cortisol, and other key hormones influencing your skin.
  

• A customised acne treatment plan that combines topical care with lifestyle, dietary, and hormonal considerations.
  

• A comprehensive skin consultation designed to identify internal imbalances and trigger patterns—so your plan isn't just reactive, but preventive and personalised.
  
  

Persistent oily skin, deep cystic breakouts, or adult-onset acne are often your skin's way of asking for deeper support. A professional can help you connect the dots between your hormones and your skin health, and guide you toward lasting relief.

Get Expert-Led Hormonal Skin Support at Skin to Heart

At Skin to Heart, we know that treating oily or hormonal skin isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. Our expert-led approach combines science-backed products, lifestyle guidance, and personalised care to help you address hormonal triggers at the root. Book a consultation with our skin experts to get a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.

FAQs

How do I know I have high testosterone?

Signs include excess oil, persistent acne (especially jawline), irregular periods, or increased body hair. A hormone test is the best way to confirm.

Why is my skin extremely oily?

Excess sebum is often driven by androgens like testosterone, stress (cortisol), or hormonal fluctuations. It may also be worsened by over-cleansing or stripping skincare.

What does a high testosterone face look like?

This can include large pores, oily T-zone, frequent breakouts (especially cystic acne), and sometimes facial hair growth in women.