Many of us struggled with acne as teenagers and are relieved that those days are over. At the time, we may not have known much about the condition, and treatment options weren’t as plentiful as they are today. Most people had to live with it, accept it, and deal with any scars it left. For some, acne came back during pregnancy, but it usually cleared up a few months after giving birth.

For others, acne continues into adulthood, even without pregnancy. This can make you wonder why breakouts are still happening, especially when nothing seems to work. You might even search online and ask, “Can hypothyroidism cause acne problems?” or research what steps you can take to address it.



It’s normal to have questions, since finding the cause is the first step to clearer skin. In this article, we’ll look at what hypothyroidism is, how it can affect your skin, what usually causes acne, and how your thyroid might be connected to ongoing breakouts. We’ll also share some practical, natural tips to help support your skin and hormone balance.

Table of Contents

Hypothyroidism is a condition resulting from an underactive thyroid, which means your body isn’t producing enough thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH. When your thyroid gland is underproducing, your body’s processes slow down. This may cause you to experience the following:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Weight gain
• Dry hair and skin
• Hair loss
• Muscle cramps and aches
• Irritability
• Depression
• Difficulty tolerating cold temperatures



Thyroid disorders are relatively common, affecting an estimated 20 million Americans, or about 12% of the population, with women being more frequently impacted. Despite this, many thyroid issues remain undiagnosed, potentially contributing to symptoms like acne.

Hypothyroidism can definitely impact the skin, hair, and nails. When it comes to the skin, several signs may indicate a thyroid disorder, including the following:

• Dry, pale, and cool skin
• Dry skin with deep cracks and scales
• Deep, noticeable lines on the palms and soles of the feet
• Yellowish-orange color on the palms and soles of the feet
• Swollen face
• Slow-healing wounds
• Flushing (redness) in the face



If these symptoms sound familiar, it might be worth consulting a professional to explore the underlying causes.

Acne occurs when your hair follicles are clogged with oil and dead skin cells. The leading causes of acne include:

• Increased characterization of follicular cells
• Increase or change in the composition of sebum (oily in your skin) production
• Inflammation of cell tissues
• Increase in the growth of Cutibacterium Acne 



Acne is most common in teenagers. Acne after puberty may be your body’s way of telling you that something inside isn’t quite right.

People with skin issues often ask if hypothyroidism can cause acne and whether treating the thyroid problem might help their skin get better.



Studies show that there is a clear link between hypothyroidism and acne. Low levels of thyroid hormones can cause several skin issues, which are directly correlated with acne.

Your face may be a telltale sign of an under-producing thyroid. You may notice hormonal or cystic acne, or both. 

However, this acne may impact more than just your face. Body acne is caused by the same factors that contribute to facial acne. While it’s most noticeable on the face, breakouts can develop elsewhere on the body, including on the:



• Neck
• Chest
• Shoulders
• Upper arms
• Back; and
• Butt
  

Hormonal acne occurs when hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, etc.) fluctuate outside their normal levels. These hormone fluctuations can often be blamed on one or more of the following:

• Thyroid disease
• Menstruation
• Menopause
• Pregnancy
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Beginning or weaning off oral contraceptives

The chin and jawline are popular spots for hormonal acne to pop up.

You may remember cystic acne from your teenage years. Sure enough, it’s most common in teens; however, cystic acne can develop in adults as well.

Cystic acne develops when cysts form deep under the skin. It happens when bacteria, oil, and dry skin cells get trapped in your pores.

Symptoms of cystic acne include:

• Large cysts, filled with pus
• Redness
• Bumps or boils that are tender or painful to touch



Cystic is the most severe type of acne. Additionally, cystic acne is the most likely to scar. For that reason, tempting as it may be, it's best not to pop or pick at the cysts.

Hypothyroidism can contribute to acne in several ways. It may disrupt hormone balance, lower blood flow, and lead to low vitamin A, digestive problems, ongoing inflammation, and dry skin. These changes can make breakouts more likely.

Hormones affect your mental, physical, and emotional health. Ideally, the endocrine glands produce the correct amount of each hormone necessary for the body to run properly.

But an underproducing thyroid can be responsible for disrupting your hormonal balance.



Unbalanced hormones are the key component of hormonal acne.

Acne thrives in low-oxygen environments. Hypothyroidism causes decreased blood flow to tissues, which lowers oxygen levels in the skin. When harmless bacteria on the face are trapped in oil and receive no oxygen, they can become inflamed, resulting in a zit.

People with thyroid conditions may benefit from supplementing their intake of vitamins and minerals. 



In particular, a deficiency in vitamin A can lead to skin problems, including acne. 

People with hypothyroidism often also experience some digestive or gastrointestinal issues, including: 

• Low stomach acid
• Poor absorption
• Anemia
• Gallstones; and
• Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine

Gut health is essential to the entire body running properly. GI issues often cause symptoms you commonly think of as related to the digestive system, such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea.

However, when the gastrointestinal system is out of sorts, you may also experience non-digestive-related symptoms, like:



• Fatigue
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Eczema; and
• Acne
  

Hypothyroidism can lead to chronic inflammation, which is especially true when the thyroid is underproducing due to Hashimoto’s disease. 

Inflammation is when your body’s white blood cells enter your blood or tissues to protect your body from invasion. However, with chronic inflammation, the body may go into “attack mode” even when it doesn’t need to. To put it simply, chronic inflammation occurs when your immune system is over-responding.

Chronic inflammation causes inflammatory acne. The body is sending an immune response to something as simple as a clogged pore, resulting in redness and swelling.



Diet can play an important role in managing chronic inflammation. Dr. Donna Sergi at HealthierU is an expert at creating nutrition plans tailored specifically to each patient’s needs.

When you think of acne, you probably think of oily skin as a factor. However, dry skin can cause acne as well.

The thyroid plays an important role in regulating skin cells. Low levels of thyroid hormone can contribute to dry, flaky skin. 

When your skin is very dry, the body tries to compensate, counteracting the dryness by creating excess sebum. When those dry, flaky, dead skin cells get stuck in the pores with the sebum, it clogs them, causing inflammation and acne.



Acne caused by dry skin can be difficult to treat. That’s because most topical treatments designed for acne (creams, cleansers, astringents, etc.) dry you out even more, exacerbating the problem. This is another reason why treating acne naturally and holistically from the inside out provides better results.

If you have hypothyroidism and are struggling with acne, you’ve probably already used different creams and treatments to try to combat the issue. But it might be worth considering making changes to your diet to help with the problem.

Certain foods may be linked to acne development and worsen acne symptoms in adults. That’s why addressing acne from a nutritional standpoint can help get to the bottom of things.

Eliminating or reducing certain food groups may help control breakouts. Some of these are:

• Dairy products
• Caffeine
• Alcohol and
• Foods and beverages with a high sugar content

There is also evidence that adding more whole foods to your diet can help.

If you’re unsure if a hormonal imbalance is causing your acne troubles due to hypothyroidism, requesting a nutrition consultation at HealthierU is an excellent opportunity to figure out what’s going on with your body. A personalized approach can help you get to the root cause of your breakouts.

Answers and clearer skin may be easier to get than you anticipated.

How Can I Tell if My Acne Is Related to Thyroid Issues or Something Else?

There are many possible causes of acne, so it can be hard to know if a thyroid imbalance is to blame. If you have acne that does not get better with usual treatments, or exhibit signs like dry or flaky skin, slow healing, and symptoms such as fatigue, changes in weight, or thinning hair, that could mean your acne is linked to a thyroid issue. 

To be sure, talk to a healthcare professional. They can check your thyroid, look at your overall health, and help you find the best way to treat your skin.

How Do You Treat Hypothyroidism Acne?

If you are dealing with acne caused by hypothyroidism, focus on bringing your thyroid back into balance. Try following a nutrition plan that fits your needs, managing stress, taking care of your gut, and building habits that help restore hormonal balance and reduce inflammation. 

Topical treatments can help your skin in the short term, but lasting relief comes from supporting your thyroid and overall health.

Can Lifestyle Changes Really Improve Thyroid-Related Acne?

Yes! While it’s important to treat the hormonal issues behind thyroid-related acne, making changes to your daily habits can really help. Managing stress, sleeping well, staying active, and eating a balanced diet all support your thyroid, help balance hormones, boost circulation, and may reduce skin inflammation.

Are There Common Mistakes People Make When Trying To Treat Thyroid-Related Acne?

A lot of people try to manage thyroid-related acne with quick fixes, such as commercial creams or over-the-counter treatments, but these only work on the surface. Some may not realize that hormones and lifestyle choices also play a big role in acne. 

At HealthierU, we focus on holistic solutions that help you address the root causes of your acne safely and effectively.

What Should I Expect When Starting a Holistic Nutrition Plan at HealthierU?

When you start a holistic nutrition plan with us, we will create a program tailored to your body’s needs. You will get expert advice on balancing hormones, improving digestion, and boosting overall health through healthy foods and lifestyle tips. 

Some progress takes weeks to months, but clients always see better energy, skin, and digestion along the way. Our team offers ongoing support and changes to help you reach results safely and naturally throughout the process.

Dr. Donna Sergi has spent her career focused on health and wellness, leading HealthierU with this goal in mind. She has many years of experience in holistic medicine and is passionate about helping people solve health problems safely and naturally. Instead of turning to medication or surgery, she helps her patients find lasting wellness through nutrition and lifestyle changes.

At HealthierU, you can get a nutrition plan made just for you, based on your body’s needs. This plan is designed to help balance your hormones and support your overall health. Natural treatments for hypothyroidism are also available.



If you want to manage your acne, learn how balanced nutrition can help your health, or just find out more about what we offer, get in touch with us today.