I battled hormonal acne for 10 years, until a doctor told me this

So what the hell is this magic pill? Largely, anti-androgen (male hormone) activity. It blocks the effects of excess male hormones and in turn, the symptoms of PCOS. As such, it successfully treats hormonal acne in PCOS sufferers.

“Our oil-producing glands have androgen receptors,” says Wedgworth, who I quizzed. “So by blocking these, it reduces oil production. In practice, Spiro can be very helpful in getting control of acne, and then you can slow taper down and control it with creams.”

I have three such creams: one containing azelaic acid (which helps unblock pores and reduce sebum), another with erythromycin (and antibiotic) and isotretinoin (a form of vitamin A) and one containing clindamycin (an antibiotic), and benzoyl peroxide (a peeling agent).

In tandem with the medication, I use La Roche Posay, which you can buy at Boots. For cleansing, theEffaclar H Cream Cleanser or Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser is brilliant, depending on how dry my skin is feeling. Finally, to stop my skin drying out, I use the Toleriane Sensitive Riche Moisturiser.

I also cut down on dairy and processed sugar, which was easier than I expected. These small changes have made all the difference.

Today, I’m still taking Spiro and following my routine. It’s a plan for life, or until my skin noticeably changes. And while I might get the odd spot around my period, my skin remains – actually – quite flawless. I concede – it wasn’t the cheapest way to do things. But to look in the mirror every morning and not feel a stab of despair is (forgive the cliche) priceless.

What triggers hormonal acne?

Hormonal acne can affect women between their teens, up until their 50s. And yes, you’ve guessed it, this is because of hormonal fluctuations. “Whether you’re prepubescent, menopausal, or somewhere in between, you may suddenly develop acne breakouts that you weren’t banking on,” explains skincare specialist Diana Ackers from Doctors Formula Cosmeceuticals.

“There’s a delicate relationship between your hormones and your sebaceous glands (the ones which produce oil for the skin),” Diana continues. “When these go into overdrive, and oil mixes with dead skin cells, sweat, and any surface debris, the hair follicles become blocked. If your skin’s natural bacteria then become trapped in the already blocked follicle, that’s when a spot can turn into a pustule, papule or cyst.”

How do you know if your acne is hormonal or stress-related?

Knowing what type of acne you’re suffering from usually comes down to placement on the face, although you should visit a medical professional for a more thorough, definitive diagnosis.

Hormonal acne breakouts: “These are usually on the T-Zone as the forehead, nose and chin are the primary areas affected by spots,” says Diana. “Breakouts on the back and chest area are very common, too. Once you’ve passed your teens, you may think you’re in the clear, but hormonal acne can coincide with your menstrual cycle. Usually it’s not as consistent as bacterial acne, lasting a couple of weeks before clearing up again, so if you find breakouts occur at a similar time each month, then likely they are more likely to be hormone related.”