Spearmint Tea for Hormonal Acne: What the Research Shows

Spearmint Tea for Hormonal Acne: What the Research Shows

Spearmint tea may modestly lower androgens, the hormones that drive oil production and some adult acne. Two small studies found that drinking about two cups a day reduced free testosterone in women with excess hair growth. But no strong trial has shown it clears acne, so treat it as a gentle add-on, not a replacement for proven treatment.

This guide is for adults, mostly women, with jawline or chin breakouts who keep seeing spearmint tea recommended online and want an honest look at the evidence.

Key takeaways

  • Spearmint tea's reputation for acne rests on small hormone studies in women with hirsutism (excess hair growth), not on trials that measured acne itself.
  • In a 2007 study of 21 women, spearmint tea twice a day for 5 days significantly lowered free testosterone, while total testosterone did not change.
  • A 30-day randomized trial of 42 women with polycystic ovary syndrome found falls in free and total testosterone, but no significant change in measured hair growth.
  • Proven hormonal acne treatments include certain birth control pills, which take about 2 to 3 months to work, and spironolactone, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
  • Mint teas appear safe in food amounts for most people, but the long-term safety of large amounts is not well studied.

What is hormonal acne, and where does spearmint fit in?

Hormonal acne is a common way to describe breakouts driven by androgens, a group of hormones that includes testosterone. Androgens increase oil (sebum) production, and extra oil plus clogged pores sets the stage for spots.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) lists signs that acne may respond to hormonal treatment:

  • Breakouts along the jawline, lower face or neck that persist despite other treatment
  • Acne on the chest or back that is hard to clear
  • Acne that didn't improve after a course of antibiotics

The NHS acne guide notes that hormone changes around puberty, periods, pregnancy and menopause can all trigger acne, and that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is linked to it. Stress hormones can make matters worse too, as we explain in our article on how cortisol shows up in your skin.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is a mint plant used as a tea and flavoring. Its appeal for acne comes from the idea that it acts as a mild anti-androgen, meaning something that reduces androgen levels or effects. If that's true, it could, in theory, reduce oiliness and hormone-driven breakouts.

What does the research on spearmint and androgens actually show?

The evidence is small and indirect. Two studies measured hormones in women with hirsutism; neither measured acne.

The 2007 hirsutism study

A Turkish study published in Phytotherapy Research gave 21 women with hirsutism, 12 with PCOS and 9 with no known cause, one cup of spearmint tea twice a day for 5 days during the first half of the menstrual cycle. According to the study abstract, free testosterone fell significantly, while luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol rose. Total testosterone and DHEA sulfate did not change significantly.

The authors suggested spearmint could be an alternative for mild hirsutism but said more studies were needed. In coverage by Dermatology Times, the researchers cautioned that the hormonal changes would not be substantial and that most patients would likely need additional treatment.

The 2010 randomized trial

A small UK randomized controlled trial in women with PCOS and hirsutism compared spearmint tea twice daily with chamomile tea for 30 days. Free and total testosterone fell in the spearmint group, and women rated their own hair growth as improved, but the objective hair score did not change significantly. Thirty days is short for hair, and the same caution applies to acne, which also changes slowly.

StudyWhoDose and lengthMain findingMeasured acne?
2007, Turkey21 women with hirsutism1 cup twice daily, 5 daysFree testosterone fell; total testosterone unchangedNo
2010, UK randomized trial42 women with PCOS and hirsutismTwice daily, 30 days, vs chamomileFree and total testosterone fell; objective hair score not significantly changedNo

What this means: there is a plausible hormonal mechanism and early signals, but nobody has shown in a proper trial that spearmint tea reduces acne lesions. Claims that it "clears skin in weeks" go well beyond the data. If you're comparing herbal options, our evidence review of herbs for female hormonal balance and our look at seed cycling for hormones apply the same standard.

How do you use spearmint tea for acne?

If you want to try it, copy what the studies used: about two cups a day, made with dried spearmint leaves, and give it a fair trial while keeping your skincare routine steady.

  1. Choose plain spearmint. Use dried spearmint leaves or plain spearmint tea bags, not peppermint and not blends with added herbs or sweeteners.
  2. Brew it. The 2007 study steeped roughly one heaping teaspoon of dried leaves in a cup of boiling water, as reported by Dermatology Times. Let it steep for several minutes, then strain.
  3. Drink two cups a day. Both studies used twice-daily tea.
  4. Keep everything else the same. Don't change your cleanser or start new actives at the same time, or you won't know what helped.
  5. Track your skin. Take photos in the same light every two weeks and note your cycle, since hormonal acne fluctuates through the month.
  6. Review after about three months. The AAD says even prescription birth control pills take 2 to 3 months to improve acne, so judging a tea after one week isn't fair.

Concentrated spearmint essential oil is not the same as tea. Don't swallow essential oils or apply them undiluted to acne.

Are there side effects of spearmint tea?

For most adults, a couple of cups of mint tea a day is a normal food amount. But spearmint itself has little dedicated human safety data, so caution is reasonable.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that peppermint, a close relative and a natural cross between water mint and spearmint, can cause heartburn, nausea and abdominal pain. It says peppermint tea appears safe but that the long-term safety of large amounts of leaf is unknown, and that food amounts are likely safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding while medicinal amounts are less studied.

Points to consider:

  • Reflux. Mint can worsen heartburn in some people.
  • Hormonal effects. Because it may lower androgens, it isn't a sensible daily habit for men trying to support testosterone. Dermatology Times notes the 2007 study was prompted by earlier reports of reduced libido in men.
  • Pregnancy and fertility. If you're pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding, stick to occasional cups and talk to your doctor first.
  • Medicines. NCCIH advises speaking with a health professional before using herbal products if you take medicine.
  • Allergy. Stop if you notice a rash, mouth tingling or swelling.

What works better for hormonal acne?

Prescription and over-the-counter treatments have much stronger evidence than spearmint. Spearmint can sit alongside them, not instead of them.

OptionHow it helpsEvidence and notes
Benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acidReduce bacteria and unclog poresAvailable from pharmacists, per the NHS
Topical retinoids (adapalene, tretinoin)Keep pores clearPrescription in many countries; listed by the NHS
Combined birth control pillLowers androgen activityAbout 2 to 3 months to work; some are approved for acne (AAD)
SpironolactoneBlocks androgen effectsFor deep, tender lower-face acne in women when other treatment fails; requires pregnancy prevention (AAD)
IsotretinoinShrinks oil glandsFor severe or scarring acne, prescribed by a specialist (NHS)
Spearmint teaMay modestly lower free testosteroneSmall hormone studies only; acne benefit unproven

The AAD notes spironolactone can cause irregular periods, breast tenderness, fatigue, headache and dizziness, and that high potassium can be dangerous, so it needs medical supervision. Our article on topical spironolactone, tretinoin and niacinamide covers newer combination approaches.

If you have PCOS symptoms such as irregular periods and excess hair, the NHS PCOS guide describes blood tests and treatments that target the underlying hormone pattern, which often helps acne too.

Common mistakes

People trying spearmint for acne often trip over the same issues.

  • Using it for the wrong kind of breakout. Not every spot is hormonal. Rashes around the mouth may be perioral dermatitis; see our guide to telling perioral dermatitis from acne. Tiny gray dots on the nose are often normal sebaceous filaments, as explained in blackheads vs sebaceous filaments.
  • Ignoring other triggers. Supplements and shakes can play a part; read about whether creatine causes acne and choosing protein powder for acne-prone skin.
  • Delaying proper treatment for deep or scarring acne. Scars are harder to fix than spots.
  • Swapping tea for capsules or oils. Concentrated products haven't been studied for acne and carry more risk.
  • Giving up or declaring success too early. Hormonal acne shifts across the cycle, so short trials mislead.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor or dermatologist rather than relying on tea if any of these apply:

  • Acne isn't improving after you've tried over-the-counter treatments
  • You have many spots, or spots that are deep, painful or leaving scars
  • Skin is hot, swollen or red, which may signal infection
  • Acne is affecting your mood or mental health
  • You also have irregular periods, new facial or body hair, scalp hair thinning or rapid weight change, which may point to PCOS or another hormone condition
  • Acne appears suddenly in adulthood alongside a deepening voice or other new body changes, which needs prompt hormone testing

The first four red flags come from the NHS acne guide; the last two warrant a check of hormone levels.

Frequently asked questions

How long does spearmint tea take to work for acne?

No study has measured acne outcomes, so there's no reliable timeline. Hormone changes appeared within 5 to 30 days in the small studies, but skin turns over slowly. As a benchmark, the AAD says birth control pills take about 2 to 3 months to improve acne, so allow at least that long before judging spearmint tea.

How many cups of spearmint tea a day for hormonal acne?

The two published studies used two cups a day. There is no evidence that drinking more works better, and larger amounts haven't been studied for safety. Two cups of plain spearmint tea, brewed from dried leaves, is a reasonable approach if your doctor agrees and you aren't pregnant or trying to conceive.

Can men drink spearmint tea for acne?

Men can drink mint tea as a beverage, but using spearmint daily specifically to lower androgens doesn't make sense for most men, since testosterone matters for male health. The anti-androgen studies were all in women. Men with persistent acne should see a doctor or dermatologist for treatments with proven results.

Is peppermint tea the same as spearmint for acne?

No. Peppermint and spearmint are different plants, and the hormone studies used spearmint. Peppermint is a cross between water mint and spearmint, according to NCCIH, but that doesn't mean it shares the same effects. If you want to test the spearmint idea, use plain spearmint tea.

What to do next

  1. Check whether your breakouts fit the hormonal pattern described by the AAD: jawline, lower face and neck, often cycle-linked.
  2. Start a proven over-the-counter treatment, such as benzoyl peroxide or adapalene where available, before or alongside spearmint tea.
  3. If you try the tea, drink two cups a day for about three months and track your skin with photos.
  4. Book a GP or dermatologist visit if acne is deep, scarring or paired with irregular periods or excess hair.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Ask your doctor before using herbal remedies, especially if you take medicine or are pregnant.

Sources

Last reviewed: October 2026.

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