Hormonal Acne Vs Bacterial Acne: Identifying the Differences

Understanding Hormonal Acne and Bacterial Acne

Fighting the battle against acne can be worrisome until you recognise the difference between different acnes. You must know that acne does not only pop out from unhygienic conditions. 

Is my acne hormonal or bacterial? This question often arises when you do not know the cause of your acne. Let's understand how the two main types of acne form on your skin. 

Identifying Hormonal Acne

Every one must have noticed and experienced those painful, depressing red little spots when you transitioned from lower grades to high school. For some, those acne tagged along even through their early twenties. These are hormonal acne, which occurs due to changes in hormones. 

Not just during puberty, but hormonal acne occurs even during the menstruation period of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause in women. Sometimes, conditions related to hormonal imbalances, such as PCOS and thyroid disorders, also give you hormonal acne. So, hormonal acne symptoms and treatment differ according to the underlying health condition.

How do you identify hormonal acne? These hormonal acne typically appear as deep, painful cysts around the jawline, chin and cheeks.

Concluding it is Bacterial Acne!

As you must have understood, due to the name itself, the common culprit is the overgrowth of bacteria. This particular acne-causing bacteria has a name. It's called Propionibacterium acnes (P.acnes). 

These pesky tiny little things grow within clogged pores on your skin. They thrive on excess oil. They trigger inflammation, whiteheads and blackheads anywhere on your face. Hence, this is why antibiotics for bacterial acne work wonders most of the time. But know that antibiotics are not the ultimate solution.

Difference Between Hormonal Acne and Bacterial Acne

As mentioned before, you must recognise the cause of your acne before taking up any treatment method! For example, menstrual cycle-related acne will disappear after you menstruate, and you do not need to stress much about it. 

So, recognising the cause will let you make decisions in your calm sanctuary.

So, here are the significant differences.

Signs They are Hormonal Acne

According to research studies, 85% of acne cases begin between 12 and 24. The hormonal surge before and throughout puberty is most likely to be blamed for this onset.

They are Cyclic Breakouts.

Cyclic breakout is a telltale sign of hormonal acne. The occurrence may worsen at times like the menstrual cycle, during ovulation, or with other hormonal changes like pregnancy or menopause.

They Have Deep Cysts.

Hormonal acne has cysts that burrow deep within the skin. They are also often painful and inflamed.

Pop In Unusual Locations.

You may notice hormonal acne in the jawline, chin and cheeks. Sometimes, they also appear in your chest region.

Respond to Hormonal Changes.

Some hormonal triggers, such as stress, also will worsen your acne breakout if you have hormonal acne.

Call it Bacterial Acne When..

Different Types of Breakouts.

Bacterial acne may feature a broader range of blemishes. You will notice red, pus-filled bumps, whiteheads with clogged pores, and even blackheads (clogged pores have opened and oxidised here).

Cause Severe Inflammation.

A bacterial acne breakout will involve severe redness and inflammation. It may also lead to bleeding at times.  

Repeat in the Same Spot.

If you have acne at a particular location on your face, you will see repeated attacks in the exact location. Such a thing happens because of the clogged pores. Plus, the process gives a clue that it's bacterial acne.

Significant Points of Difference

So, the significant points you need to keep in mind to differentiate between the two are;

• Location: bacterial acne loves oily areas, and hormonal acne favours the lower face.
• Timing: Hormonal acne is cyclic, and bacterial acne can pop up anytime.
• Lesion type: Hormonal acne is seated and painful, but bacterial acne is inflamed pimples with pus filled in.

In addition, you may notice other changes like hormonal imbalance symptoms such as facial hair, scalp hair loss or irregular periods with hormonal acne, but not with bacterial acne.

Moreover, your conventional external treatment, such as applying cream and antibiotics and getting a clean-up for acne removal, will not respond in case of hormonal acne.

Treating Acne According to The Cause 

Acne can be a frustrating foe, and when hormones and bacteria fuel it, it requires a multi-faceted approach. Here's how to tackle hormonal acne naturally and manage bacterial acne for more precise, healthier skin.

You must manage your forever acne - according to its fuel - hormones or bacterial build-up. 

Follow the steps below to tackle hormonal acne naturally and manage bacterial acne for more precise, healthier skin.

How to Balance Hormones for a Clearer Skin?

Following are the ways that can help!

Balance Your Circadian Rhythm

Get a good sleep of at least 7-8 hours. Poor sleep changes the skin dynamics and hormonal rhythm in your body.

Eat for Your Skin

Diet plays a significant role in treating your hormonal acne naturally. There is strong support from new research for reducing acne with regular omega-3 fatty acids and low-GI (Glycemic Index) and low-GL (Glycemic Level) diets.

Focus on Positivity

Focusing on ways to combat your stress and get healthy skin is essential. The skin microbiome thrives on positivity. Apart from this, your hormonal activities balance when you are not stressed.

Add Skin Clearing Natural Supplements

Add hormone-balancing supplements like fish oil capsules and Triphala tea into your diet.

Taming Bacterial Acne Naturally 

When you want to clear off your bacterial acne, most of the routine is external. The aim is to prevent the clogging of pores and cleanse the bacterial build-up.

Here are the steps to an acne free skin;

Cleanse Regularly

If your face is oily and repeatedly clogs your pores, you must cleanse at least twice daily. It would help if you cleaned with a gentle cleanser, or else you may remove all the good bacteria on your skin.

Choose Cosmetics Wisely

Non-comedogenic and oil-free products are your keys to preventing clogging pores.

Use Natural Remedies

Honey is a great way to create an antibacterial surface on your skin. Honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Apply a thin layer of honey directly on pimples. You can also mix it with Neem and Turmeric, excellent face-cleansing herbs.

Support Your Gut

You cannot overlook your gut health in any skin condition. Your skin microbiome sometimes reflects the function of your gut microbiome. Use a natural diet rich in probiotics or supplements to see the changes yourself.

Acne treatment, whether it's hormonal or bacterial, you need both internal and external skin cleansing. 

Contact Ayurveda experts at Nirva to help you guide through your acne-fighting journey.

Conclusion

Acne is estimated to affect 9.4% of the global population, making it the eighth most prevalent disease worldwide. The first step to blemish-free skin is to understand the differences – location, triggers, and treatment approaches – between bacterial and hormonal acne.