PCOS + Skin: What’s Really Going On Under the Surface?
September is PCOS Awareness Month, which means it is the perfect time to talk about the elephant in the treatment room; how PCOS shows up on your skin. For some of us, that means hormonal acne that just will not quit. For others, it is oily skin that feels impossible to manage, or pigmentation that seems to stick around long after a breakout fades. However it shows up, it can feel frustrating, isolating, and sometimes downright unfair, but you are not alone in it.
✨ The Skin Side of PCOS
Living with PCOS can feel like you are in a never-ending battle with your own body, and often your skin is the one shouting the loudest. Hormonal acne, oily skin, random texture changes, even stubborn pigmentation… it is a lot.
If you have ever stared in the mirror and thought, “Why will my skin not just cooperate?” please know this: it is not your fault. PCOS skin struggles are rooted in hormones, genetics, and biology, not a lack of effort. Your glow is not gone, it just needs gentler and more intentional support.
🔮 How PCOS Shows Up on Skin
PCOS does not look the same on everyone, but here are the most common ways it makes itself known:
Hormonal acne: Breakouts often cluster around the jawline, chin, and neck. They may flare before your cycle or stick around thanks to elevated androgens.
Oily skin and congestion: PCOS often comes with an increase in sebum (oil) production. This can leave you feeling greasy halfway through the day, clog pores faster, and trigger blackheads or bumps.
Texture and pigmentation shifts: PCOS acne can leave behind post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), those dark marks that seem to outlast the breakout itself. Some people also notice darkened patches of skin, called acanthosis nigricans, around the neck, underarms, or groin.
Sensitivity and inflammation: Hormonal swings can disrupt your barrier and make skin more reactive. Stress and cortisol spikes can add fuel to the fire.
🌿 Gentle Rituals That Support PCOS Skin
When you are dealing with hormonal acne, oily skin, or pigmentation from PCOS, the urge to scrub your face raw or buy the strongest acid possible is real. But PCOS skin responds best to consistency, barrier support, and patience.
Cleansing → Stick to a gentle creamy or gel cleanser. Foaming, stripping washes will just make your skin pump out more oil to compensate.
Exfoliation → Skip harsh scrubs. Choose enzyme masks or chemical exfoliants like AHAs (glycolic, lactic) or BHAs (salicylic acid) to keep pores clear without creating micro-tears.
Hydration and barrier repair → Look for moisturizers with ceramides, CBD, hyaluronic acid, or calming botanicals like aloe, chamomile, or green tea. Supporting your barrier leads to less inflammation and redness.
Spot care → Sulfur and salicylic acid are great for PCOS breakouts. A gentle benzoyl peroxide can help too if your skin tolerates it.
Professional rituals → Facials that focus on inflammation control, nano-infusion with calming serums, or LED light therapy can soothe and rebalance PCOS skin. Think support, not punishment.
🕯️ A PCOS Skin Witch Ritual for Calming Flares
PCOS skin can feel unpredictable. One day it is glowing, the next it feels inflamed and heavy. Instead of fighting against it, let’s create a ritual that invites calm, compassion, and balance.
What you will need:
A bowl of cool water or a clean washcloth soaked in it
A jade roller, gua sha stone, or simply your hands
A few drops of your favorite facial oil (grapeseed, prickly pear, or ritual oil)
A playlist that makes you feel like Stevie Nicks in full witchy goddess mode
The Ritual:
Set the stage. Begin with your normal nighttime skin ritual so you have a freshly washed and moisturized face. Find a quiet place, or even just lock your bedroom door for 5 to 10 minutes. Start your playlist and let the energy shift.
Cool and calm. Dip your washcloth in the cool water and press it against your skin, or glide your jade roller over your cheeks and jawline. Imagine the heat of inflammation dissolving under the water’s soothing touch.
Infuse with intention. Warm a few drops of oil between your palms, then press them into your skin. As you do, visualize sealing in protection and nourishment.
Breathe and repeat. Place your hands over your heart, close your eyes, and take three slow, grounding breaths. With each exhale, imagine releasing judgment.
Affirmation: Say aloud or whisper:
“My skin is not broken. It is speaking to me, and I choose to listen with love. Each breath, each touch, is a blessing I give myself.”
✨ Repeat this ritual whenever your skin feels tender, physically or emotionally. Over time, it becomes less about fixing PCOS skin and more about honoring the body you are in.
✨ Ingredients That Can Support PCOS Skin
If you are navigating the visual effects of PCOS on your skin, certain ingredients can help bring balance, calm, and clarity. Here are a few allies to keep an eye out for:
CBD → A plant-based powerhouse that helps calm inflammation, regulate oil production, and strengthen the skin barrier. Perfect for skin that feels both oily and sensitive.
Niacinamide → A multitasker that minimizes redness, improves uneven tone, and supports barrier health. Think of it as a skin peacemaker.
Salicylic Acid (BHA) → Helps clear pores, reduce breakouts, and manage excess oil without harsh scrubbing. A must-have for hormonal acne PCOS support.
Sulfur → Naturally antibacterial and oil-absorbing, making it gentle but effective for breakout-prone skin.
Ceramides → Rebuild the skin’s barrier, locking in hydration and reducing sensitivity caused by hormonal swings.
Azelaic Acid → Calms inflammation, lightens post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and supports clearer, smoother skin.
✨ These ingredients are not about “fixing” PCOS skin, but rather about giving it the support it needs to function at its best. Pair them with consistency, patience, and rituals that nourish your whole self.
🌙 Final Thoughts
PCOS skin care is not about fixing your face. It is about learning what your skin needs, supporting it with patience, and remembering that breakouts do not define your worth.
If you are craving deeper support, come see me in the treatment room. Together we will create a ritual that calms your skin and your chaos.
✨ Join the Glow Coven email list for more rituals, affirmations, and real-talk skin education, because you deserve guidance that feels magical and grounded.
