Persistent, cystic breakouts—especially around your chin and jawline—may be more than just skin deep. For many women, these frustrating flare-ups are linked to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a condition that disrupts hormonal balance and leads to excess oil production, inflammation, and insulin resistance.
In this blog, we’ll explore how PCOS impacts your skin, highlight the PCOS-gut-skin connection, and share how you can clear your complexion through recommended supplements, skincare, and lifestyle shifts.
PCOS and Acne: What’s Really Causing Your Breakouts
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a common hormonal condition that affects up to 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. While it can cause a range of symptoms, such as irregular periods, weight gain, and fertility issues, one of the most frustrating symptoms for many women is acne.
PCOS leads to an imbalance of hormones, particularly androgens (often referred to as “male hormones” like testosterone). This hormone imbalance increases sebum (oil) production in the skin, which can clog pores and result in acne breakouts. Hormonal acne from PCOS tends to appear on the lower part of the face—particularly along the jawline and chin—and can be persistent, inflamed, and difficult to treat.
Additionally, women with PCOS often experience insulin resistance, which leads to higher insulin levels. This imbalance further increases androgen production, worsening acne. So, how can you break this cycle and clear your skin? Let’s explore some prevention tips and treatment options.
The PCOS-Gut-Skin Connection: Healing Acne from Within
One of the most under-discussed contributors to PCOS-related acne is poor gut health. Your digestive system plays a key role in regulating hormones, absorbing nutrients, and controlling inflammation—three things directly tied to your skin’s clarity.
Why It Matters:
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Dysbiosis (gut imbalance) increases systemic inflammation and weakens detox pathways.
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A leaky gut allows toxins and inflammatory compounds to circulate in your bloodstream, often showing up on your skin.
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Poor digestion means your body may not absorb hormone-regulating nutrients efficiently.
Tips:
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Incorporate probiotics and fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi to support gut flora.
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Eliminate food sensitivities (like gluten or dairy) if they trigger inflammation for you.
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Use digestive enzymes like GLOWTIME to help you break down and digest your food
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Use a supplement like MINDBODYSKIN® to address oil production, hormonal balance, liver detox, and gut health—all in one formula.
Hormonal Acne from PCOS: How to Get Clear Skin
1. Nourish Your Body with the Right Diet
Food is your foundation. Focus on balancing blood sugar and calming inflammation:
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Low-Glycemic Choices: Whole grains, legumes, and leafy greens.
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Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients: Berries, turmeric, ginger.
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Healthy Fats: Omega-3s from chia seeds, flax, and avocado.
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Gut-Healing Fiber: Crucial for hormone regulation and detox.
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Avoiding of vitamins that can spike your testosterone, like excessive Zinc
2. Supplements for Hormonal Balance
Certain supplements can support hormonal balance in women with PCOS, helping reduce the acne-triggering effects of elevated androgens, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Incorporating the right ones can make a powerful difference in how your skin responds, especially when paired with other lifestyle changes.
DIM (Diindolylmethane)
DIM is a compound derived from cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and kale that supports healthy estrogen metabolism. It helps your body break down excess estrogen into more favorable, non-inflammatory forms, which is crucial for women with PCOS-related hormone imbalances. By promoting hormonal equilibrium, DIM can reduce the frequency and severity of hormonal breakouts, particularly along the chin and jawline.
You can find DIM—along with other hormone-friendly ingredients—in MINDBODYSKIN® for hormonal acne.
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Pumpkin seed oil is a nutrient-dense, skin-friendly oil that can be a powerful ally for women managing PCOS. It’s packed with zinc, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, antioxidants, and phytoestrogens, all of which play a role in hormonal regulation, skin health, and inflammation reduction.
The plant compounds in Pumpkin Seed Oil can gently support estrogen balance, which is especially helpful in offsetting the effects of excess androgens often present in PCOS.
Find a supercharged, skin-loving version of Pumpkin Seed Oil in GOOD SEEDS®!
Magnesium
Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in over 300 biochemical processes in the body—including those related to hormone production, insulin sensitivity, and stress response. For women with PCOS, magnesium can help improve blood sugar control, reduce cortisol (the stress hormone), support adrenal function, and improve Vitamin D metabolism.
Vitamin D is often deficient in women with PCOS, but supplementing with it directly can sometimes lead to breakouts. That’s why supporting your body’s natural Vitamin D metabolism with Magnesium is a great option for acne-prone people with PCOS.
Get Magnesium in our hormone-loving supplement for sleep, PILLOWTIME.
3. Explore Treatment Options for Acne Caused by PCOS
While lifestyle changes are important, sometimes more targeted treatments are needed to clear up acne caused by PCOS. Let’s look at a few options to consider:
Topical Methods
For treating acne directly, several effective topical treatments are available that can reduce inflammation, control oil production, and improve skin texture.
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Removing Pore Cloggers: Clearing acne starts with eliminating hidden pore-blocking ingredients like coconut oil, ethylhexyl palmitate, and isopropyl myristate. At CLEARSTEM, all formulas are 100% pore-clogging ingredient-free to prevent new breakouts before they start.
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AHA Acids: These ingredients work to kill acne-causing bacteria, reduce inflammation, and exfoliate dead skin cells that could clog pores. We use the most gentle form of AHA—Mandelic Acid—in CLEARITY®— for results without irritation.
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Sulfur: A natural antibacterial and oil-absorbing mineral, sulfur helps dry out active breakouts and calm inflammation. It's ideal for cystic acne and sensitive, acne-prone skin. Find it in Sulfur SPOT&MASK.
The best place to start with managing acne is by removing pore cloggers and then building a new routine that helps acne without disrupting the skin barrier.
Internal Support
For more severe cases of PCOS-related acne, doctors may recommend oral medications or other options to help address the hormonal causes of the breakouts.
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Birth Control Pills: Many women with PCOS use birth control to regulate their hormones, which can help reduce androgen production and prevent acne. Be aware, though, that using birth control often just masks symptoms and can cause more hormonal issues down the road.
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Spironolactone: This anti-androgen medication can block the effects of testosterone on the skin, reducing acne in many women with PCOS.
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MINBODYSKIN: When you want another option for getting to the root of your hormonal acne, you can try a supplement like MINDBODYSKIN®, which fights hormonal acne at its root.
Professional Treatments
In-office treatments such as chemical peels, laser therapy, or microneedling may help reduce acne scars and improve overall skin texture. Consult a dermatologist or clinical esthetician to see if these options are right for you.
Additional Lifestyle Changes for Clearer Skin
Prioritize Sleep
Aim for 7–9 hours of deep rest each night. Sleep helps regulate cortisol and restore hormonal balance.
Stay Hydrated
Hydration improves lymphatic drainage and flushes toxins that can aggravate acne.
De-Stress Daily
Yoga, meditation, breathwork—even a 10-minute walk—can lower stress hormones that worsen PCOS symptoms.
Conclusion: Clear Skin Starts from Within
PCOS-related acne isn’t just about your skin—it’s about what’s happening beneath the surface. By addressing hormonal imbalances, gut health, and inflammation, you can reclaim your skin—and your confidence.
With a whole-body, inside-out approach, clearer skin is not only possible, it’s within reach. Ready to take control of your skin health? Your CLEARSTEM journey starts now.
