Does HRT cause acne?
Reviewed by Dr. Ana Lisa Carr, MD, MBA · Last reviewed May 10, 2026
Answer published
Estrogen typically improves skin tone, hydration, and clarity, so most women see better skin on HRT — not worse. Acne flares are most often linked to synthetic progestins (medroxyprogesterone, levonorgestrel, norethindrone) which have mild androgenic activity at the skin. Switching to micronized progesterone almost always resolves this. Adult acne in midlife can also be driven by androgen excess or insulin resistance independent of HRT, so persistent breakouts warrant a broader hormonal workup with your kindr provider.
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