Hormonal Breakouts? Avoid These 10 Skincare Mistakes

If your pimples show up in predictable places like chin, jawline, lower face or flare at certain times of the month, you're likely looking at hormonal breakouts. According to studies, these are acne lesions which are driven largely by fluctuations in sex hormones especially androgens, that increase oil (sebum) production inside hair follicles. More sebum along with thicker follicle lining causes easier pore blockage, bacterial growth and inflammation, the recipe for blackheads, whiteheads and painful nodules. Hormones don't act alone: genetics, the local skin microbiome and the condition of your skin barrier change how badly your skin reacts.

Poor habits can weaken the skin barrier, clog pores, change local bacteria and make hormonally driven flare-ups worse. If you then use products that are highly comedogenic (pore-clogging), over-exfoliate, strip the skin or don't support the barrier, you create an environment where pores are more easily blocked and inflammation escalates. Below we discuss some skincare habits you can avoid if you are struggling with hormonal breakouts.

Skincare mistakes that worsen hormonal breakouts

1. Using heavy, oil-based creams that are comedogenic

Reaching for rich creams like coconut oil, cocoa butter, some heavy botanical oils “to moisturise” and sealing pores can block follicular openings and trap sebum. Instead, choose non-comedogenic, water-based moisturisers—look for “non-comedogenic” and lightweight humectants. Patch-test new products on your jawline before daily use.

2. Double-cleansing with harsh surfactants or over-washing

Scrubbing the face hard, using strong anionic cleansers many times a day strips natural lipids and damages the skin barrier, which triggers compensatory sebum production and irritation-related breakouts. Gentle cleanser once in the evening to remove makeup/sunscreen, and once in the morning if needed is encouraged.

3. Over-exfoliating

Using abrasive scrubs, facial brushes or too-frequent chemical exfoliants inflames and thins the barrier, increasing sensitivity and breakout risk. Limit exfoliation to what your skin tolerates (often 1–3×/week depending on product and skin type). Hold off during active flares and focus on barrier repair afterward.

4. Layering too many active ingredients at once

Mixing retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, AHA/BHA and vitamin C in a single routine can cause irritation, peeling and rebound oiliness that worsen acne. Start with a simple routine like cleanser, targeted acne agent, moisturiser, sunscreen. Introduce one active at a time and give 4–6 weeks to evaluate.

5. Relying only on “spot treatments” instead of consistent care

Using harsh spot peels or aggressive drying agents only when a pimple appears can inflame nearby skin and create new lesions. Instead, maintain steady maintenance with gentle sebum-controlling and barrier-supporting products; use spot treatments sparingly and correctly.

6. Ignoring the skin barrier

Avoiding moisturiser because you fear more oil signals skin to overproduce oil; paradoxically, omitting light moisturisers can worsen oiliness and breakouts. Use an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturiser (look for ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin).

7. Using comedogenic makeup or not removing makeup properly

Sleeping in makeup or using heavy foundation daily without cleansing can worsen breakouts. Some cosmetics have been linked to worse acne control in clinical surveys. Choose non-comedogenic makeup; always remove makeup gently each night.

8. Popping or aggressively picking pimples

Squeezing lesions to “get rid” of them increases inflammation, spreads bacteria, causes deeper scarring and more prolonged nodular lesions especially in hormonally driven acne where lesions can be deeper. Leave nodules to a dermatologist for drainage or steroid injection when needed; use prescribed topical or oral treatments to reduce lesion size.

9. Skipping sunscreen because it feels heavy or causes breakouts

Avoiding daily SPF worsens post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark marks after acne) and can prompt thicker follicle linings. Use light, non-comedogenic mineral or chemical sunscreens formulated for acne-prone skin. Sunscreen prevents marks that often linger after hormonal flares.

Hormonal breakouts are not simply “bad hygiene.” They're the interplay of hormones, sebum, follicular biology and skin care. A simple, consistent routine that protects the barrier, avoids comedogenic ingredients and limits irritation will make medical treatments more effective and significantly reduce flares.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

References

Acne Vulgaris · StatPearls · NCBI Bookshelf (NIH) · 2023.

Hormonal Therapies for Acne: A Comprehensive Update · Review article · NCBI (NIH) · 2025.

The influence of the exposome on acne · Journal review · NCBI (NIH) · 2018.

Skin Barrier Dysfunction in Acne Vulgaris: Pathogenesis and Repair · Review · NCBI (NIH) · 2024.

Relationship between acne and the use of cosmetics · Clinical study · NCBI (NIH) · 2021.