Does progesterone cause acne? Yes, fluctuation in the levels of sex hormones (including progesterone) during your menstrual cycle may also contribute to acne before your period. Progesterone levels rise during the middle of the cycle. This may stimulate the sebaceous glands in the skin.

Why does progesterone cause acne?

Progesterone helps your uterus prepare to supporting a growing baby, but high levels of this hormone also stimulate your skin's oil glands, making them produce more oil. When the oil clogs your pores, it can lead to acne breakouts.

Does progesterone make acne worse?

“And as levels of progesterone increase, skin swells and pores are compressed shut,” explains dermatologist Audrey Kunin, MD, of DERMAdoctor.com. As a result, pores never looked so minimized. “But this tourniquet effect also causes sebum to build up beneath the skin's surface.”