What Not to Do with Hormonal Acne: Key Mistakes to Avoid

Dealing with hormonal acne can be incredibly frustrating. As someone who has experienced my fair share of breakouts, I know firsthand how it feels when your skin doesn’t cooperate. You may feel like trying everything possible to make it stop, but sometimes, those well-meaning attempts can make things worse. So, what should you avoid when dealing with hormonal acne? Here’s a list of things I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that can make a huge difference.

Don't Overwash Your Face

The Truth About Over-Cleansing

I get it — you want to do anything you can to get rid of those pesky pimples, and washing your face seems like a simple solution. However, washing your face too much can actually worsen hormonal acne. When you scrub your skin constantly, you strip away its natural oils, which may cause your body to produce even more oil to compensate. This leads to clogged pores and, you guessed it — more acne.

Honestly, I used to wash my face obsessively, thinking that the more I cleaned, the clearer my skin would become. But after reading up on it and talking to a dermatologist, I realized that a gentle cleanser twice a day is the way to go. Trust me, your skin will thank you!

Don't Pick or Pop Pimples

The Temptation to Squeeze

I know the urge is strong. You look in the mirror and see a pimple that just seems to beg for attention. You think, "If I pop it, it'll be gone." But here’s the deal: popping pimples only makes things worse. Not only do you risk pushing bacteria deeper into your skin, but it can also cause scarring.

I remember once squeezing a pimple, and the next day, my face was more inflamed and red than before. Ugh! Since then, I've learned to resist that temptation. If you're struggling with a breakout, leave it alone and apply an acne treatment instead. Patience is key — and trust me, it pays off.

Don't Use Harsh Products

The Myth of Strong Acne Treatments

It can be tempting to reach for those harsh acne products with salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or alcohol thinking that they’ll work faster. But here's the thing: hormonal acne is often a result of internal factors (hormonal fluctuations, stress, etc.), and while these products may offer temporary relief, they can also irritate your skin, making it even more sensitive.

I’ve learned this the hard way, having tried every "strong" product on the market when I had a bad breakout. In reality, using a gentle, consistent skincare routine — with non-comedogenic and soothing ingredients like niacinamide — helped me manage my acne much better than all those harsh chemicals.

Don’t Forget to Moisturize

Keeping Your Skin Hydrated

It’s easy to think that moisturizing will worsen acne, but actually, your skin needs hydration to heal. When your skin gets dry from acne treatments, it can overproduce oil, which exacerbates the problem. Keeping your skin moisturized can help maintain its balance.

The first time I really understood this was when I started using a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer. It helped my skin stay hydrated without clogging pores. Don’t skip this step, even if you have oily skin — it’ll make a difference.

Don’t Stress Out

Stress and Acne: A Vicious Cycle

It might seem like a cliché, but stress can really trigger hormonal acne. When you're stressed, your body releases cortisol, a hormone that can increase oil production in your skin. This leads to clogged pores and, you guessed it, more breakouts.

I’ve found that taking time to de-stress is crucial for managing my skin. Whether it’s through exercise, meditation, or simply getting enough sleep, managing your stress levels can make a world of difference in how your skin reacts. Honestly, this was a game-changer for me.

Don't Ignore Your Diet

Eating for Better Skin

There’s a lot of debate about whether diet directly impacts acne, but I’ve noticed a correlation between certain foods and my breakouts. Dairy and sugar, in particular, can sometimes make things worse. I’ve personally cut back on dairy and processed foods, and I’ve noticed fewer breakouts.

Try to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Drinking enough water also helps flush out toxins and keeps your skin looking healthy.

Conclusion: Be Patient and Gentle

Hormonal acne is frustrating, but with a little patience and a consistent, gentle skincare routine, you can manage it more effectively. Remember, don’t rush the process or expect instant results — your skin will take time to adjust. And when in doubt, always consult with a dermatologist who can guide you through the right treatments for your specific skin needs.

So, are you ready to make small changes and finally manage that hormonal acne? Trust me, it’s worth it.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.