What hormone is primarily responsible for oily skin and acne in males?

The hormone that is primarily responsible for oily skin and acne in males is androgen. Androgens are a group of hormones that include testosterone, which is present in higher levels in males than in females. These hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands in the skin to produce more sebum, the oil that can lead to the development of oily skin and acne when produced in excess.

This increased sebum production can clog pores, and when combined with bacteria, it can lead to inflammation and acne. Understanding the role of androgens is crucial for treatments targeting acne, particularly in male adolescents and adults.

The other hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, primarily play roles in the female reproductive system and generally do not have the same direct impact on oily skin and acne in males. Insulin mainly regulates glucose levels in the body and is not directly linked to the oil production in the skin. Therefore, androgens are significantly more relevant to the development of oily skin and acne in males.