Does Progesterone Cause Acne? Here’s What You Should Know

Many people wonder: does progesterone cause acne or can progesterone cause acne? The relationship between progesterone and acne (or “progesterone pimples”) is complex. In some cases, high progesterone levels may worsen acne, but sometimes low progesterone can also play a role. Let’s break it down simply.

 

What Is Progesterone and Why It Matters for Skin

Progesterone is one of the body’s key sex hormones. It helps regulate your menstrual cycle and supports pregnancy. Levels rise after ovulation, during the luteal phase, and drop right before your period.

But here’s the thing, as progesterone rises and falls, it can trigger hormonal fluctuations that affect your skin. That’s why many people notice acne flares around mid-cycle or before their period.

 

How Progesterone Might Lead to Acne

Here are some ways that progesterone may cause acne or worsen it:

1. Increased Oil Production

When progesterone rises, it can increase sebum (oil) production, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. More oil often means more acne, especially on the chin, jawline, and back.

2. Hormonal Imbalance

An imbalance between progesterone, estrogen, and androgens (like testosterone) can create the perfect environment for acne. When progesterone levels swing too high or too low, androgen levels can become more dominant, leading to excess oil and hormonal breakouts.

3. Progestins in Birth Control

Some birth control pills and hormone therapies use synthetic progesterone (called progestins). Depending on their chemical structure, some of these have androgenic (testosterone-like) effects that can worsen acne, while others are anti-androgenic and can help clear it.

4. Low Progesterone Effects

If your progesterone is too low, your body can lose its natural ability to balance androgens. That means testosterone levels rise, causing increased oil production and low-progesterone acne flares.

So the answer to does low progesterone cause acne is: possibly, indirectly.

 

Progesterone Across the Menstrual Cycle

Mid-Cycle (Ovulation) – Testosterone peaks, leading to hormonal acne during ovulation.
Luteal Phase – Progesterone rises, sometimes worsening acne for those sensitive to it.
Before Period – Both estrogen and progesterone drop, allowing androgens to dominate and cause an acne flare.

These cyclical hormonal fluctuations are the main reason many people experience recurring period pimples or progesterone-related acne.

 

Does Taking Progesterone Cause Acne?

If you’re taking progesterone supplements, hormone therapy, or progesterone-only birth control (mini pill), you might notice breakouts.

That’s because progesterone-only products lack estrogen’s balancing effect and may raise oil production. Meanwhile, combined birth control pills (containing both estrogen and progesterone) can help reduce acne by lowering free testosterone and stabilizing hormone levels.

In short:

Does progesterone make you break out? It can.
Does progesterone help acne? It depends on the dose, balance with estrogen, and your body’s sensitivity to hormones.

 

The Science Behind It

Progesterone can inhibit 5α-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT (a stronger acne-causing androgen) — but this effect is weak in human skin.
Some progestins act like androgens, increasing acne, while others are anti-androgenic and reduce acne. The result depends on the type of progesterone involved.

 

How to Treat Hormonal or Progesterone-Related Acne

1. Topical Acne Treatments

It’s formulated to help:

Unclog pores and support healthy skin turnover
Calm redness and visible irritation
Target acne-causing bacteria on the surface of the skin

Each formula is customized by a board-certified dermatologist and may include:

Tretinoin – a topical form of vitamin A that promotes healthy cell renewal
Niacinamide – vitamin B3 known to soothe and brighten skin appearance
Clindamycin – a prescription antibacterial agent
Azelaic Acid – supports reduction of redness and inflammation

Clinical research suggests that topical combinations like these can be as effective as oral antibiotics for certain types of acne, while minimizing the risk of long-term antibiotic resistance.

Anti-androgenic Birth Control Pills: balance hormone levels and lower testosterone.
Spironolactone: blocks androgen receptors to reduce oil production.
Clascoterone Cream: a topical anti-androgen approved for acne.

2. Lifestyle & Hormone Balance

Manage stress, get consistent sleep, and limit high-glycemic foods that spike insulin (which affects hormone balance).
Track your cycle patterns to identify when your skin tends to break out.

3. For Persistent Hormonal Acne:

Low-Dose Accutane

If your acne flares with every cycle and topical or hormonal treatments haven’t helped, speak to Clear Health’s Board-Certified Dermatologist to see if low-dose isotretinoin (Accutane) might be worth exploring.

 

Clear Health: A Smarter, Safer Way to Treat Hormonal Acne

Clear Health specializes in a low-dose Accutane protocol that’s designed to reduce oil, calm inflammation, and treat hormonal acne without the harsh side effects of traditional Accutane.

 

Why Patients Love Clear Health:

Micro-dosed and personalized treatments
Board-certified dermatologists via telehealth
Reduced dryness and side effects
Continuous progress tracking
Lab monitoring made simple

Ready to take control of your skin?

👉 Start Low-Dose Accutane with Clear Health

 

Key Takeaways

Progesterone affects acne, but how depends on your hormone balance.
High progesterone can increase oil and worsen acne; low progesterone can make androgens more active.
Acne often peaks during the luteal phase or right before your period.
Balancing hormones through medication, skincare, and lifestyle can help reduce breakouts.
For stubborn hormonal acne, low-dose Accutane offers lasting results.

 

Sources

[1] Medical News Today – Does progesterone cause acne?

[2] PMC – Hormonal acne and sex hormone levels

[3] PubMed – Progestins and acne and PubMed

[4] Aspect Health – Does low progesterone cause acne?

[5] Exposed Skincare – Progesterone and the menstrual cycle’s effect on acne

[6] Contemporary OB/GYN – Contraception and acne

[7] PMC – Hormone influence on 5α-reductase activity

[8] ScienceDirect – Androgenic and anti-androgenic effects of progestins