Let’s get one thing straight: hormonal acne isn’t just a teenage thing. It’s a grown-ass woman thing. I’m Rachel, (a bridal hair and makeup artist and salon owner) and I still deal with monthly, stress-triggered, totally unfair breakouts that show up like clockwork.

I’ve woken up with cystic bumps on my chin before a wedding. I’ve cried because I felt like nothing I used was working. And I’ve spent way too much money trying to "fix" my skin when what I really needed was a consistent, gentle, inflammation-focused routine.

This post isn’t about perfection. It’s about management - and regaining a little bit of control over skin that likes to act up on its own schedule. If you’re navigating hormonal breakouts and want a skincare approach (no prescriptions, just products that work), you’re in the right place.

⚠️ Real Talk: I’m Not a Doctor

This is what works for me. If your breakouts are getting worse, painful, or aren’t improving, talk to a licensed dermatologist. These recs are for managing mild to moderate hormonal acne - not treating medical conditions.

Also, some links in this post are Amazon affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you click and buy, but it doesn’t cost you anything extra - and I only link products I personally use and trust.

💥 What Even Is Hormonal Acne?

If your breakouts:

Pop up like clockwork around your period
Live on your chin, jawline, or lower cheeks
Are deep, sore, and slow to heal…

Congrats. It’s probably hormonal.

Hormonal acne is tied to internal shifts - stress, your cycle, diet, or even lack of sleep. But how you treat it topically matters. I’ve learned the hard way that scrubbing harder and layering on actives only makes it worse.

📆 My 3-Day Hormonal Acne Reset Routine

When I feel a breakout brewing, I shift into calm mode. The goal is to reduce inflammation, support your skin barrier, and keep things from escalating.

Here’s exactly what I do for three days straight - plus the tools and products I trust to keep my skin from going off the rails.

🧴 Core Products I Use When Hormonal Acne Hits

Cleanser: COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
Spray Toner: Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Spray
LED Mask: Red & Blue Light Therapy Mask
Niacinamide Serum: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Manuka Honey: Raw Manuka Honey UMF 15+
Moisturizer: COSRX Snail Mucin 92 Cream
Sunscreen: Anua Zero-Cast SPF 50

🚔 Rachel’s 3-Day Hormonal Breakout Reset

Morning Routine (All 3 Days)

Cleanse: COSRX Low pH
Spritz: Tower 28 SOS Spray
Serum: Niacinamide (skip if too irritated)
Optional: COSRX Snail Essence
Moisturizer: COSRX Snail Cream
SPF: Anua Zero-Cast

Night 1 & 3: Calm the Hell Down Nights

Cleanse
SOS Spray
LED Mask (Blue or Blue+Red, 10–15 min)
Manuka Honey Mask (20–30 min)
Rinse gently
Optional: COSRX Snail Essence
Moisturize
NO spot treatments or actives

Night 2: Target + Treat

Cleanse
SOS Spray
LED Mask (Blue only)
Optional Snail Essence
Spot Treatment: Mighty Patch™ Invisible+ Pimple Patches
Moisturize

⚠️ 3-Day No-Go List

❌ Vitamin C

❌ Retinoids or exfoliants

❌ Peptides

❌ Propolis toner

❌ Scrubs

❌ Makeup wipes

❌ Picking or over-cleansing

✅ Add-Ons That Make a Difference

🛌 Silver-Infused Pillowcases

Your pillowcase might be sabotaging your skin. These self-cleaning satin pillowcases are infused with silver tech to prevent bacteria buildup. Bonus: they're gentle on both your skin and hair.

Swap 'em out every couple nights during a breakout. It helps. A lot.

🧊 Cryo Sticks (Ice Globes That Don’t Suck)

These cryo sticks help reduce inflammation and puffiness without shocking your skin like ice cubes. Use them before LED light or just to calm your skin on no-makeup days.

Use them cold, never frozen. Roll gently over breakouts or along the jawline.

🖤 Final Thoughts

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all fix, but it’s the routine that helps me feel human when my skin is trying to revolt. Consistency, inflammation control, and barrier support are everything when it comes to managing hormonal acne.

If you’re struggling too, I hope this gives you a starting point. You’re not alone, you’re not dirty, and you’re not doing anything wrong. Sometimes your hormones just need a moment.

And if you’re one of my bridal clients reading this? Please don’t panic about your skin. Follow this reset if it helps, and know that no matter what your skin is doing, we’ve got the makeup, the technique, and the experience to have you glowing on your day.

Hydrate. Heal. Don’t pick. You got this!

Hormonal Acne Sucks: Here's My 3-Day Skincare Reset That Actually Works