Excess sebum caused by an increased amount of testosterone, which belongs to “male hormones,” also known as androgens, is one of the reasons for hormonal acne. When you have more of the oily substance in your skin glands, your pores can become clogged.
Spironolactone, as a blood pressure medication, is thought to block a hormone called aldosterone, an adrenal cortex hormone. Aldosterone, along with another hormone called vasopressin or antidiuretic hormone, helps your kidneys retain sodium. When spironolactone blocks aldosterone, it is essentially thwarting this sodium-retaining function, leading to a flushing out of salt and water from your system (hence, the reduction in blood pressure).
What spironolactone also unexpectedly does when blocking aldosterone is mess with the release of another adrenal cortex hormone – androgens. For women with hormonal acne, this can mean a welcomed relief from hormonal acne, which typically “presents on the jawline, neck, and chest,” according to clinical director of the Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dr. Abigail Waldman (via Everyday Health). Spironolactone, however, is not recommended as an effective treatment for acne in men. This is mainly due some of its side effects, including breast enlargement. Speaking of side effects, let’s take a look at them more closely.
