PCOS Skin Care Tips: How to Calm Hormonal Acne, Oiliness & Dark Patches Naturally

Madison Matthews
Jun 3, 2025
5 min read

Essential Skin Care Tips for Managing PCOS Symptoms

If you’re dealing with PCOS and your skin feels like it’s constantly “acting up” acne flare ups, oily skin, painful breakouts, or those dark patches that won’t seem to budge — I want you to know something straight away:

It’s not because you’re unhygienic. It’s not because you’re doing skincare wrong.And no… it’s not “just your hormones” in a way that you’re powerless to change.

PCOS skin symptoms are real, and they can feel incredibly frustrating — especially when you’ve tried every cleanser, spent money on treatments, and still feel like your skin is working against you.

The good news? With the right approach, you can absolutely improve your skin and feel confident again.

Let’s break down what’s happening and share PCOS skin care tips the provide you the best ways to support your skin — inside and out.

How PCOS Actually Affects Your Skin

PCOS is often driven by hormonal and metabolic changes, and skin symptoms are one of the most visible ways it can show up.

When androgen levels (like testosterone) are elevated, they can increase oil production (sebum). That excess oil can lead to:

clogged pores
inflamed breakouts
cystic acne (often jawline/chin)
oily skin that never feels “clean”

Some women also experience darkened skin patches, called acanthosis nigricans, commonly around the neck, underarms, inner thighs, or groin. These are often linked to insulin resistance.

So while skincare products can help… the real magic happens when we understand what’s driving it underneath the surface.

The Best PCOS Skin Care Routine (Simple + Gentle)

When it comes to hormonal skin, the goal isn’t to strip your face until it’s squeaky clean (that actually makes acne worse).

Instead, we want:

gentle oil control
inflammation calming
barrier support
consistent routines

Here’s a basic daily structure:

Morning

Gentle cleanser
- non-comedogenic, fragrance-free if possible
Treatment serum
- niacinamide or azelaic acid are great options
Lightweight moisturiser
SPF (every single day)
- this is non-negotiable for pigmentation

Night

Cleanser
Treatment product
- salicylic acid OR retinoid (not both at first)
Moisturiser

Tip: if your skin feels tight, stinging, or flaky — your routine is too harsh.

Ingredients That Actually Help PCOS Skin

Not all “acne skincare” is created equal. These ingredients are the most helpful for

PCOS-related skin issues:

Salicylic acid – unclogs pores, reduces blackheads
Benzoyl peroxide – kills acne bacteria (best as spot treatment)
Niacinamide – reduces inflammation + oiliness
Azelaic acid – amazing for acne + redness + pigmentation
Retinoids – support cell turnover + prevent blocked pores

Start low and slow. If you throw too much at your skin too quickly, irritation will worsen acne and pigmentation.

Hormonal Acne Needs More Than Skincare

This is the part people don’t talk about enough.

If your acne is:

cyclical
jawline / chin focused
deep cystic breakouts
flaring with stress, cravings or irregular cycles

…there’s usually a hormonal or metabolic driver behind it.

Supporting acne from the inside out may involve:

1) Blood sugar balance

High insulin can stimulate androgen production, which increases oil and acne.

Helpful habits:

include protein at breakfast
avoid high-sugar snacks on an empty stomach
prioritise whole foods over ultra-processed foods

2) Hydration + minerals

Dehydration + mineral imbalance can worsen inflammation and skin healing.

3) Stress support

Cortisol and chronic stress can worsen breakouts.

Simple support:

walking
breath work
magnesium (if appropriate)
consistent sleep routine

What About Dark Patches (Acanthosis Nigricans)?

Dark patches can be really confronting — and for many women they feel embarrassing or hard to talk about.

These patches are often linked with insulin resistance, which means skincare alone won’t fully resolve them. But you can support the area with:

gentle exfoliation (AHAs like lactic acid)
brightening ingredients (vitamin C, licorice extract)
hydration (thickened skin heals better with moisture)
avoiding tight clothing/friction

If patches are spreading, worsening, or appearing quickly, it’s important to speak to your practitioner because this is often a sign your metabolism needs deeper support.

Common Skincare Mistakes That Worsen PCOS Acne

These are SO common (and totally understandable):

over-cleansing / scrubbing
using too many actives at once
picking pimples (creates inflammation + scarring)
heavy makeup that clogs pores
skipping moisturiser (yes — even oily skin needs it)
skipping SPF (pigmentation becomes harder to shift)

Gentle + consistent will always outperform aggressive.

When It’s Time to Get Extra Support

If your acne is painful, cystic, scarring, or impacting your confidence daily — you do not need to just “cope with it.”

Support options may include:

prescription creams
oral medications
professional facials or peels
practitioner support to address hormones + insulin resistance

You deserve help that actually addresses the root cause, not just surface symptoms.

Support PCOS Skin From the Inside Out (The Part Most People Miss)

Here’s what I want you to remember: PCOS skin symptoms are rarely just a surface-level issue.

Topical skincare can absolutely help calm breakouts, reduce oil production, and improve pigmentation… but if the root cause is still active underneath the surface, your skin will keep trying to get your attention.

That’s why I always look at PCOS skin through a whole-body lens.

Because when we reduce inflammation, stabilise blood sugar, and support hormone balance, the skin often becomes clearer as a side effect.

The internal work that supports clearer skin with PCOS

Here are the key areas that matter most:

1) Blood sugar balance & insulin sensitivity Insulin resistance is one of the biggest drivers of androgen excess, which can increase oil production and worsen acne.

Aim for protein at every meal
Pair carbohydrates with fibre + healthy fats
Reduce high-sugar snacks and refined carbs (especially on an empty stomach)

2) Reducing inflammation Chronic inflammation can amplify hormonal imbalance and make the skin more reactive.

Prioritise whole foods (colourful vegetables, quality protein, healthy fats)
Increase omega-3 rich foods (fish, chia, flax, walnuts)
Reduce ultra-processed foods and inflammatory oils

3) Gut health support Your gut plays a huge role in inflammation, hormone metabolism, and nutrient absorption.

Include fibre daily (vegetables, legumes, seeds)
Support regular bowel motions (important for hormone clearance)
Identify trigger foods if bloating or irritation is present

4) Stress, sleep & nervous system regulation Cortisol and stress hormones can worsen inflammation and throw off hormonal balance.

Gentle movement (walking is underrated)
Stress regulation practices (breathing, journalling, ERT)
Prioritise consistent sleep routines

5) Personalised nutrient support Skin healing and hormone regulation require key nutrients — but guessing isn’t helpful. This is where pathology testing comes in so we can identify deficiencies and tailor support (instead of throwing random supplements at the problem).

When you support your body internally, you’re not just treating acne — you’re creating the environment for your hormones and skin to actually settle.

If you’re struggling with PCOS acne, oily skin, pigmentation, or dark patches and you’re sick of trying skincare products that don’t get to the root cause…

Book a FREE Naturopathic PCOS Assessment Call and let’s map out what’s driving your symptoms and the most supportive next steps to help you feel confident in your skin again.