Adult acne is often thought of as a hormonal skin condition. This is because hormones are responsible for the maturation of the oil glands in our skin; when this goes wrong it can lead to oily skin and spots.

Throughout our lives there are times when our hormones can become unbalanced and wreak havoc on the skin, body and even our emotions. These times include puberty, pregnancy and menopause, but are not restricted to them.

More specifically, acne may be precipitated by androgens, male hormones present in both men and women. The excess oil created by these hormones may play a part in clogging hair follicles where bacteria grows and causes acne spots and blemishes.

Hormonal acne is seen mostly in women due to the natural cycles a woman goes through, such as menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. It is very common for women to find themselves breaking out in spots shortly before their monthly cycle starts. Because of this, some birth control pills, in small doses and with other topical remedies, can be used to reduce blemishes by keeping androgens steady.

The most common birth control pills used to control acne are Yasmin and Dianette. Anyone considering going down this route should consult their GP.