Dear Reilly:

Most of us have learned to deal with the occasional facial 'break-out' but no one ever wants to deal with acne. Whether you are an adolescent or a perimenopausal woman, acne can contribute to stress, depression, and lower self-esteem.

Acne usually occurs for the first time during adolescence, when production of the male hormone testosterone kicks in. Testosterone helps stimulate oil production in the sebaceous glands, which produce sebum, the oily substance that helps keep skin soft and supple. Unfortunately, if testosterone production escalates rapidly, it can cause the sebaceous glands to produce too much sebum, which in turn can clog pores and cause acne. Later in life, during perimenopause and menopause, when hormone levels are shifting and declining, an imbalance in testosterone can again cause excessive oil production, leading to clogged pores and acne.

Treating adult acne can be more difficult because you are not only concerned with getting rid of break-outs but also protecting your skin from the natural thinning and drying that comes with aging. That is why finding skin care products with the right balance of antioxidants, immune boosters, collagen builders and active anti-acne ingredients is so important for you.

You may also want to consider testing your hormone levels to see if hormone therapy might be appropriate. As with other symptoms of hormone imbalance, like mood swings and hot flashes, restoring the proper relationship and synchronicity among hormones can help restore the skin's healthy, youthful look. The right amount of testosterone, prescribed with a balanced dosage of estrogen can help regulate the skin's oil gland activity. In fact, postmenopausal women who are on a hormone therapy regimen that includes estrogen and testosterone have been shown to have skin that is 48% thicker and suppler than women who do not take hormones.

Please call us at 800.558.7046 if you would like to talk further about any of your skin care concerns.

Educating women on health care options is the personal mission of Marla Ahlgrimm, R.Ph., founder and CEO of Women's Health America. If you have a women's health care question, send it to Marla at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . If your question is chosen for publication, we'll send you a free sample of one of our latest health care innovations.