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How to tell if your acne is hormonal or bacterial
When considering acne treatment, it is important to understand the root cause of the acne breakout. Two common causes of acne include hormonal fluctuations and increased levels of acne-causing bacteria on the skin’s surface. While hormonal and bacterial acne can look very similar, some characteristics can help differentiate the two. Hormonal acne typically worsens during times of hormone changes, such as puberty, menstruation, menopause, or discontinuation of birth control. Bacterial acne typically worsens due to excessive sweating, improper hygiene, and the use of comedogenic or oily skincare products. Hormonal acne is most commonly found around the lower face, chin, and jawline, while bacterial acne is most commonly found on the T-zone (forehead, cheeks, and nose), chest, and back.
However, the best way to tell if acne is hormonal or bacterial is to consult with an expert board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Green. Individuals can experience breakouts that are hormonal in nature, bacterial in nature, or a combination of both simultaneously. As hormonal and bacterial acne have different types of treatment, Dr. Green will assess your medical history and acne breakout to determine what the cause may be. She may order bloodwork to be done to see if the breakout is due to any hormonal abnormalities. In some cases, she may send a culture of the breakout to assess if there is a bacterial infection present. After the results are back, Dr. Green will then be able to determine the best acne treatment for the breakout.
