5 Things I’d Do If I Had to Heal My Hormonal Acne All Over Again
24 September, 2025
by Haley Konopka
Hormonal acne doesn’t play by the same rules as a random breakout. It’s tied to hormone levels, stress, and how your body moves through everyday life. I’ve been there — and if I had to start the healing journey from scratch, here’s exactly what I’d do.
1. Adjust my diet without restriction
Food is part of the story. If I were dealing with adult acne again, I’d focus on adding — not restricting. More fiber. More protein. More nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods. I’d still have ice cream on a Friday night (duh), but I wouldn’t lean on processed snacks all day. My philosophy is balance over extremes, that’s where you really see progress.
2. Go back to skincare basics
When hormone levels are behind your breakouts, the 10-step “acne hack” routines don’t necessarily help. In fact, overdoing topical treatments often makes things worse by wrecking your skin barrier. I’d stick with a gentle lineup: a hydrating cleanser, moisturizer, SPF, and maybe a light exfoliant here and there.
For me, the Chamomile Jelly Cleanser is a go-to — it leaves skin clean but never tight. And when my hormonal acne needs more targeted support, I’d use the Sulfur Spot Treatment to gently clear painful breakouts. It’s not about piling on products; it’s about finding ways to use the right products, and figuring out when to do so.
3. Move my body in ways that feel good
Healing isn’t only topical. I’d make movement part of the plan — whether that’s yoga, Pilates, walking, or strength training. If my cycle was regular, I’d even try syncing workouts with it: higher-energy sessions during ovulation, slower ones during my period. But if my period was irregular (which happens with PCOS or other hormone level imbalances), I’d simply keep a balanced mix and do whatever feels right in the moment.
BLOCKQUOTE: “Listening to your body and it’s cues are key to healing your body from the inside out.”
4. Build routines that support me
Morning and night routines aren’t about being “aesthetic.” They create consistency, which helps your body reset. I’d start the day with warm lemon water, a stretch, journaling, and a protein-rich breakfast. At night? Less doom scrolling (and screen time in general tbh), more skincare, a calming tea, maybe a few pages of a book. Little rituals that tell your body: you’re safe, you can relax :)
5. Focus on progress, not perfection
This one is key. When you’re dealing with hormonal acne, it’s easy to chase results at full speed. But going 100 mph usually backfires — it ramps up stress, and stress affects your hormone levels (and your skin). I’d remind myself daily: start slow, listen to your body, and let progress stack up.
Healing adult acne is a journey. It’s about supportive habits, smart topical treatments, and knowing that perfection isn’t the point — progress is. You don’t have to figure it all out alone either. With the right tools and a community that gets it, you can move forward with clarity and confidence. Hope these tips help you put the pieces together <3
Author
Haley Konopka
Your acne prone sis who loves all things beauty ✨
The starting lineup
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