psa that acne doesn’t always = high testosterone
Yes, you heard that right! And it’s something I see with lab work and clients ALL the time. Most of us have probably heard that acne is often linked to high testosterone or other “male” hormones. And while yes, that can be true for some…it’s not the case for ALL. And it can then lead people down the wrong treatment path…cough cough spearmint tea.
First, it’s helpful to know that hormones do play a major role in skin health. During puberty, for example, both boys and girls experience a surge in androgenic (male-type) hormones, which can lead to an increase in sebum (oil) production. This surge can contribute to acne, but this doesn’t mean that elevated testosterone is the only hormonal trigger for breakouts for everyone for the rest of their lives.
In fact, acne can be triggered by a range of hormonal imbalances, not just high androgens. For example, fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, imbalanced cortisol, and thyroid hormones can all impact skin health and play a role in acne. That’s why simply focusing on testosterone isn’t always going to be the answer for EVERY case.
Why High Testosterone Isn’t Always to Blame
Acne in Low-Testosterone Individuals
Many people with acne actually have normal or even low levels of testosterone. Again, something I see all the time. Common places this can stem from are…chronic stress as it can elevate cortisol which can interfere with the production of testosterone
OR nutritional deficiencies, particularly in zinc, vitamin D, and magnesium
OR lack of physical activity
OR poor sleep
OR under-eating (this is a super common one I see and by proxy it interferes with the production of essential hormones, including thyroid hormones, sex hormones like testosterone, and even stress hormones like cortisol (think “adrenal fatigue”).
How to Address Acne Without Focusing Only on Testosterone
It’s simple. Instead of guessing, work with a healthcare provider like myself to get a comprehensive hormonal panel. This can include testosterone but also checks levels of estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, insulin, cortisol, and more! So again, acne is a complex condition that can have a variety of underlying causes - and not all paths always lead to high testosterone!
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