Everlywell vs BreakoutLabs: Which Blood Test Fits Acne?
Short answer: Everlywell sells a wide range of at-home lab tests, and we didn't find one built specifically for acne in its catalog. Its Women's Health Test covers reproductive and thyroid hormones plus total testosterone, DHEA and cortisol, but not free testosterone or SHBG. BreakoutLabs is one blood test with 12 markers chosen for acne. Pick Everlywell if you want fertility, perimenopause or thyroid hormones, or single-marker tests. Pick BreakoutLabs if your main question is what might be driving your acne.
What Everlywell is
Everlywell sells at-home lab tests for hormones, thyroid, inflammation, blood sugar, sexual health, food sensitivity and more. The hormone and wellness kits covered here use a finger-prick blood card, some add saliva, and you mail samples back with a prepaid label. Its site says results come from CLIA-certified labs and are physician-reviewed. It also offers Everlywell 360, an annual membership with an in-person blood draw at Quest Diagnostics. Tests are for adults 18 and over.
What BreakoutLabs is
BreakoutLabs makes the Acne Root Cause Test, an at-home blood test for people with acne. It measures 12 biomarkers: Free Testosterone, Total Testosterone, SHBG, DHEA-S and Albumin (hormones); Cortisol and hsCRP (stress and inflammation); Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Ferritin and Creatinine (nutrients and recovery); and HbA1c (blood sugar). You collect a small sample with a painless device on the back of your upper arm. A CLIA-certified lab processes it, and results arrive 5 business days after the lab receives it, with a personalized Clear Skin Blueprint focused on acne.
Which Everlywell tests do people consider for acne?
We didn't find an acne-specific test in Everlywell's catalog, so people with acne may look at its hormone and wellness tests. Here's what each includes, from Everlywell's own product pages, as of September 28, 2026:
| Everlywell test | What it measures | Collection | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Health Test | 10 markers: estradiol, progesterone, LH, FSH, DHEA, cortisol, TSH, free T4, total testosterone, TPO antibodies | Finger prick and saliva | $249 |
| Men's Health Test | 4 markers: total testosterone, DHEA, estradiol, cortisol | Finger prick and saliva | $249 |
| Testosterone Test | Total testosterone | Finger prick | $69 |
| Cortisol & Stress Test | Cortisol, total testosterone, TSH | Finger prick and saliva | $99 |
| Vitamin D & Inflammation Test | Vitamin D (25-OH D), hs-CRP | Finger prick | $99 |
| HbA1c Test | HbA1c | Finger prick | $49 |
| Everlywell 360 (membership) | 83 biomarkers, including total testosterone, DHEA-sulfate, cortisol, hsCRP, vitamin D, B12, ferritin, HbA1c | In-person blood draw at Quest, plus urine | $399/year |
Everlywell also lists subscription pricing for several kits. Prices and panels change, so check Everlywell's site for current details.
Everlywell vs BreakoutLabs at a glance
This compares the Everlywell Women's Health Test, which Everlywell describes as its most comprehensive at-home panel for women's hormones, with the BreakoutLabs Acne Root Cause Test.
| Everlywell Women's Health Test | BreakoutLabs Acne Root Cause Test | |
|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Reproductive, adrenal and thyroid hormones | Markers linked to acne |
| Biomarkers | 10 | 12 |
| Acne-related markers included | Total testosterone, DHEA (DHEA-S not specified), cortisol | Free T, Total T, SHBG, DHEA-S, cortisol, hsCRP, vitamin D, B12, ferritin, HbA1c |
| Not included | Free testosterone, SHBG, hsCRP, vitamin D, B12, ferritin, HbA1c | Estrogen, progesterone, LH, FSH, thyroid |
| Sample collection | Finger-prick blood card plus 4 saliva tubes; blood on cycle days 3–4, blood and saliva around day 21 | One blood sample with a device on the upper arm; morning, days 3–7 of cycle if menstruating |
| Where you collect | Home | Home |
| Results turnaround | Most tests 5–7 business days after the lab processes the sample | 5 business days after the lab receives the sample |
| Price (as of September 28, 2026) | $249 | $199 for the test kit |
| Membership/subscription | Subscription options listed; Everlywell 360 at $399/year | Membership options with retesting are also available |
| Acne-specific interpretation | Not listed; results include lifestyle insights for hormone levels | Yes, Clear Skin Blueprint |
| Ages | 18+ | 14+ (14–17 with a parent or guardian) |
| Guarantee | No refunds once an at-home kit ships; replacement kit if the lab can't process the sample | 30-day money-back guarantee (terms) |
Why free testosterone and SHBG matter for acne
Total testosterone counts all testosterone in the blood, including the portion bound to proteins like SHBG. Free testosterone is the unbound, active portion, and SHBG is the protein that binds it. In a study of 112 women with persistent acne, low SHBG was the most common hormonal finding, total testosterone was in the high-normal range, and the authors suggested low SHBG could explain the androgen excess seen in these patients (Sardana et al., 2016). A total testosterone result alone can miss this pattern. Read more in low SHBG and acne and blood tests for acne.
Timing matters too. DermNet recommends taking hormone tests between 8 and 10 am during the first half of the menstrual cycle (DermNet). Hormonal birth control also changes results. Everlywell's own help center notes that oral contraceptives affect estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, FSH and LH.
When Everlywell is the better fit
- You want fertility or perimenopause hormones like estradiol, progesterone, LH and FSH. Our test doesn't measure these. See perimenopause acne.
- You want thyroid markers such as TSH, free T4 and TPO antibodies.
- You want a daily cortisol pattern. The Women's Health Test collects saliva four times in one day.
- You only need one marker, like HbA1c or total testosterone, at a lower price.
- You want a broad yearly checkup with a lab visit, like Everlywell 360.
When BreakoutLabs is the better fit
- Acne is your main concern and you want free testosterone, SHBG and DHEA-S measured together.
- You want hormone, inflammation, nutrient and blood sugar markers in one sample instead of several kits.
- You'd rather collect with a device on your upper arm than with a finger prick.
- You want results explained in terms of acne, in a Clear Skin Blueprint.
- You're 14 to 17 (with a parent or guardian), or you want the 30-day money-back guarantee.
Can you use both?
Yes. If your doctor suspects PCOS, a thyroid issue or perimenopause, Everlywell's broader hormone panels cover markers we don't. If acne is the question, our panel adds free testosterone, SHBG, DHEA-S, inflammation and nutrient markers. Share both sets of results with your healthcare provider, who can put them in context. For guidance, see do dermatologists do blood tests for acne?
How BreakoutLabs fits in
The Acne Root Cause Test measures 12 markers chosen for acne from a single morning sample, collected after an 8–10 hour fast, Monday to Thursday. It does not measure estrogen, progesterone, insulin, glucose, thyroid hormones, zinc or serum iron. Results inform a conversation with your doctor; the test does not treat acne. If your results are all normal, read why you can still have acne with normal bloodwork.
Frequently asked questions
Does Everlywell have an acne test?
We didn't find one in its catalog as of September 28, 2026. People with acne may consider its Women's Health, Men's Health, Testosterone or Vitamin D & Inflammation tests, each of which covers part of an acne-focused panel.
Does the Everlywell Women's Health Test check free testosterone or SHBG?
No. Its product page lists total testosterone, but not free testosterone or SHBG. Everlywell 360 lists total testosterone and DHEA-sulfate, but not free testosterone or SHBG.
Is Everlywell saliva or blood?
It depends on the test. The Women's Health Test uses a finger-prick blood card plus saliva tubes. The Testosterone, HbA1c and Vitamin D & Inflammation tests use a finger prick only.
What's a good Everlywell alternative for acne?
If your goal is to understand acne drivers, look for a panel that includes free testosterone, SHBG and DHEA-S along with inflammation and nutrient markers. The BreakoutLabs Acne Root Cause Test covers these in one sample.
Sources
- Everlywell. Women's Health Test. Accessed September 28, 2026.
- Everlywell. Men's Health Test. Accessed September 28, 2026.
- Everlywell. Testosterone Test. Accessed September 28, 2026.
- Everlywell. Cortisol & Stress Test. Accessed September 28, 2026.
- Everlywell. Vitamin D & Inflammation Test. Accessed September 28, 2026.
- Everlywell. HbA1c Test. Accessed September 28, 2026.
- Everlywell. Everlywell 360. Accessed September 28, 2026.
- Everlywell Knowledge Base. Everlywell 360 Membership. Accessed September 28, 2026.
- Everlywell Knowledge Base. When will my results be ready? Accessed September 28, 2026.
- Everlywell Knowledge Base. Women's Health Collection Tips. Accessed September 28, 2026.
- Everlywell Knowledge Base. Will I get accurate results if I am on oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy? Accessed September 28, 2026.
- Everlywell Knowledge Base. What are the age requirements for Everlywell tests? Accessed September 28, 2026.
- Everlywell Knowledge Base. Refund, Cancellation and Replacement Policy. Accessed September 28, 2026.
- Sardana K, Singh C, Narang I, Bansal S, Garg VK. The role of antimullerian hormone in the hormonal workup of women with persistent acne. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2016.
- DermNet. Investigations in acne.
This article is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider about testing and treatment.
