Is Acne Different Between Men and Women?

Answer: Yes, and it mostly comes down to hormones.


Why Is Acne Different Between Men and Women?

While there are many contributing factors to acne, the main differences between men and women can be traced to hormones. Men, particularly adolescent males, tend to have elevated levels of male hormones called androgens. Androgens include hormones like testosterone. Among other things, androgens stimulate the growth of sebaceous glands, which increases the amount of sebum produced by the skin. Increased sebum production fosters the growth of bacteria that feed on sebum, such as Propionibacterium acnes. Additionally, high levels of sebum production can increase the incidence of clogged pores that block the opening of the hair follicle and encourage the development of acne symptoms like pimples, nodules and cysts.

Androgen Inhibitors and Acne

Androgen Inhibitors are a class of medication designed to block the function of endogenous androgens. Androgen Inhibitors are commonly used in women to treat elevated androgen levels, which can lead to hirsutism (excess hair growth) and masculinization. They are also used in men to treat male pattern baldness and certain kinds of cancer.

Androgen Inhibitors can be an effective treatment for women who experience androgen-dependent acne. Androgen inhibitors have a feminizing effect on men and are generally not recommended for use in males. Androgen inhibitors are often used as part of the hormone therapy involved in male to female sex change operations.


Acne and Androgens. Chen, et al. 2014.
Plasma androgens in women with acne vulgaris. Lucky, et al. 1983.
Sex hormones and acne. Ju, et al. 2017.
Hormonal treatment of acne vulgaris: an update. Elsaie, 2016.