The Real Reason Your Hormonal Acne Isn’t Going Away (Even With a “Clean” Diet)
You’ve cleaned up your diet. You tried cutting out dairy, drinking more water, started using non-toxic skincare, maybe even added in zinc or a few hormone-friendly supplements. But the breakouts? Still showing up like clockwork.
Especially around your jawline, chin, or mouth, deep, sometimes painful acne that always seems to flare up before your period.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And it’s not because your body is broken or that you haven’t tried hard enough. Hormonal acne is complex, and when it sticks around despite healthy habits, it’s a sign your body is asking for a different kind of support.
Let’s break it down.
The Cycle-Skin Connection (Why Hormones Really Are the Issue)
Hormonal acne usually follows a pattern. It tends to flare in the week before your period (during the luteal phase) when hormone levels shift dramatically.
Here’s what’s happening:
Estrogen and progesterone drop, while androgens like testosterone may become more dominant.
These changes can lead to increased oil (sebum) production and clogged pores.
If your body struggles to clear out excess hormones, inflammation and breakouts can follow.
But it’s not as simple as "too much testosterone."
Most often, hormonal acne is related to a relative imbalance (like estrogen dominance or low progesterone) and how well your body is processing and clearing hormones.
That’s why diet alone isn’t always enough.
Why a “Clean Diet” Isn’t Always Enough
Food can absolutely help reduce inflammation and support hormonal balance. But if breakouts are still popping up even after you’ve made big changes to your diet, here’s why:
Your gut and liver may need more support. If these systems aren’t clearing out excess estrogen efficiently, it can recirculate and create imbalances that show up on your skin.
Constipation or sluggish digestion means hormones aren’t leaving the body as they should.
Low fiber intake (even unintentionally) = less hormonal excretion.
Chronic stress raises cortisol, which messes with blood sugar and oil production, making acne worse.
Hormonal acne is deeper than just skin, and deeper than just diet.
3 Root Causes to Explore If Acne Keeps Coming Back
1. Your Detox Pathways Need More Love
Your liver is your hormone-processing powerhouse. If it's overwhelmed or undernourished, excess hormones can get reabsorbed into the body instead of being eliminated.
Support detox by:
Increasing your cruciferous veggies (like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts)
Making sure you're getting enough B vitamins (especially B6 and folate)
Supporting methylation with leafy greens, protein, and minerals
Prioritizing daily bowel movements (yes, poop is part of the plan!)
2. Gut Imbalances Are Stirring Things Up
Your gut plays a major role in how your body processes estrogen. An imbalanced microbiome (hello, dysbiosis or Candida), low stomach acid, or past antibiotic use can interfere with hormone metabolism.
Testing (like the GI-MAP) can uncover what’s going on under the surface so you're not guessing.
3. Your Nervous System Is Overloaded
Stress doesn’t just affect your mood, it shows up in your skin, too.
When you're in constant fight-or-flight mode, your body prioritizes survival over hormone regulation. Cortisol disrupts insulin sensitivity, increases inflammation, and can directly trigger breakouts.
Try simple things like:
Getting outside in natural light
Taking true breaks between tasks
Eating in a calm environment (underrated but so powerful)
Breathwork or guided meditation
So What Does Help?
If you’re feeling discouraged, take a deep breath. Healing hormonal acne doesn’t mean you need to do more. It usually means getting more targeted.
Here are some simple but powerful shifts:
Eat enough fiber and colorful plants to support gut and hormone balance
Focus on digestion (chew well, eat slowly, don’t skip meals)
Support your detox pathways with real food and daily movement
Prioritize nervous system support just as much as food or supplements
And if you’ve already tried the surface level tips and are ready for clarity, testing can help pinpoint what’s actually going on.
Final Thoughts
Your skin is communicating with you, not working against you.
If you’ve been trying to piece together your own plan with blogs and TikToks and still aren’t seeing the results you want, you’re not alone. And you’re not failing. Your body might just need a more strategic, root-cause approach.
If you’re ready to finally get answers and calm your skin from the inside out, I’d love to help. You can book a discovery call & learn more about root cause testing here.
You deserve to feel confident in your skin again, without guessing, restricting, or going through it alone.
