Hormonal acne is a common concern that women bring to their providers, especially around menstrual cycles or during other times of hormonal fluctuation.
Pellecome brings strong expertise to this space. The company was founded by Dr. Enrique Jacome, a board-certified OB-GYN who has specialized in hormone replacement therapy for decades.
His clinical experience shaped Pellecome’s approach to hormone balance, resulting in supplements like DIM I3C. For providers, DIM I3C represents a clinically grounded option to support patients struggling with hormone-related skin changes.
Hormones and Women’s Skin
When a woman’s hormone levels shift, the effects often show up on the skin. Drops in estrogen or progesterone can make androgens more dominant, and this change drives the sebaceous glands to produce thicker oil.1 That excess oil clogs pores and creates the right environment for breakouts.
Providers frequently see this pattern around menstrual cycles, during perimenopause, or in conditions like PCOS, where hormonal shifts are more pronounced.
Estrogen also influences the skin through the way it is broken down in the body. The byproducts of estrogen metabolism, called metabolites, can either help keep cell activity steady or push it into overdrive.
2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE) is often described as a “protective” metabolite because it supports balance, while the 16-alpha-hydroxyestrone (16-alpha-OHE) can contribute to cellular overstimulation and may play a role in inflammatory processes.
An imbalance favoring 16α-hydroxyestrone over 2-hydroxyestrone has been linked to more estrogenic activity at the cellular level. While this does not directly prove effects in acne, it suggests a shift toward signaling that may amplify tissue responsiveness.2
When combined with androgen-driven oil production, which is known to trigger both excess sebum and inflammatory changes in the skin, the result can be an environment more prone to breakouts.
How DIM I3C Can Shift Hormone Activity
Since both estrogen metabolites and androgens affect the skin, regulating these pathways is important for managing hormonal acne. DIM (diindolylmethane) and I3C (indole-3-carbinol), compounds found in cruciferous vegetables, influence how estrogen is broken down in the body.
When I3C is converted into DIM, it increases levels of the protective metabolite 2-OHE while lowering levels of 16-alpha-OHE.3 This shift reduces the kind of overstimulation that can fuel breakouts.
Some research also suggests DIM may interact with androgen pathways, potentially lowering excess sebum production.4
By improving estrogen balance and possibly moderating androgen activity, DIM I3C gives clinicians a science-based option to support women with hormone-driven acne.
Expand Your Treatment Options for Hormonal Acne
Pellecome’s DIM I3C supplement is manufactured to strict standards for consistency and safety. It is vegetarian-friendly, allergen-free, and designed for once-daily dosing. Providers working with Pellecome also gain access to resources such as ROI analysis, practice support, and a patented pellet insertion device.
As a provider, adding DIM I3C to your practice can expand your treatment toolkit while helping patients achieve more balanced outcomes.
To learn more about becoming a Pellecome provider, contact Pellecome at 888-773-9969.
- Del Rosso JQ, Kircik L. The cutaneous effects of androgens and androgen-mediated sebum production and their pathophysiologic and therapeutic importance in acne vulgaris. J Dermatolog Treat [Internet]. 2024;35(1):2298878. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2023.2298878
- Dallal C, Taioli E. Urinary 2/16 estrogen metabolite ratio levels in healthy women: a review of the literature. Mutat Res [Internet]. 2010;705(2):154–62. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mrrev.2010.06.004
- Newman M, Smeaton J. Exploring the impact of 3,3’-diindolylmethane on the urinary estrogen profile of premenopausal women. BMC Complement Med Ther [Internet]. 2024;24(1):405. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04708-7
- Alois M, Estores IM. Hormonal regulation in PCOs using acupuncture and herbal supplements: A case report and review of the literature. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2019;18(5):36–9.
