Do you have hormonal acne? Find out what to avoid!

What is hormonal acne?

Hormonal acne is a type of acne that is caused by fluctuations in hormones, particularly androgens such as testosterone. These fluctuations can cause an increase in oil production in the skin, leading to clogged pores and the formation of acne. Furthermore, it is most commonly seen in women during their menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. However, it can also affect men. Typically, treatment involves targeting the underlying hormonal imbalance like PCOS.

A picture showing the distribution of hormonal acne

Symptoms

  • This type of acne may be associated with an oily skin
  • Typically, it appears on the lower part of the face, such as the jawline and chin.
  • Pimples may include blackheads, whiteheads, which are not usually painful
  • Cystic or nodular lesions, which are large, painful, and deep-seated.
  • Flare-ups that occur at the same time each month, often around the time of menstruation.
  • Persistence of acne despite using over-the-counter or prescription topical treatments.

How to know if your acne is hormonal

Hormonal acne is often associated with fluctuations in hormone levels, such as during adolescence, pregnancy, or menopause. Additionally, people with hormonal acne may experience deeper, larger, and more painful cysts or nodules than with non-hormonal acne. To determine if your acne is hormonal, it is best to consult with a dermatologist, who can examine your skin and possibly perform tests to measure hormone levels.

When does it peak?

A woman bursting a pimple on her face depicting hormonal acne

Hormonal acne typically peaks during puberty and can continue into adulthood, particularly in women during their menstrual cycles or during menopause.

Natural treatment for hormonal acne

There are several natural treatment options for hormonal acne, including:

Diet: Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Herbs: Herbs like saw palmetto, green tea, and chamomile can help balance hormones and reduce inflammation.

Probiotics: Taking probiotics can help balance the bacteria in the gut, which can in turn help balance hormones.

Exercise: Regular exercise can help reduce stress and balance hormones.

Stress management: Stress can trigger hormonal acne, so practicing stress management techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing can help reduce acne.

It is important to note that these remedies may not work for everyone. Hence, you may need to visit a dermatologist who may prescribe a combination of topical and oral medications. They may include retinoids, antibiotics, and hormonal contraceptives.

The important vitamins

Vitamins A, D, and E have been shown to be beneficial for clearing acne. Vitamin A acts as an anti-inflammatory and helps to unclog pores. Additionally, Vitamin D helps to regulate the skin’s immune response and can reduce the production of sebum, which contributes to acne.

Food sources of vitamin D useful in hormonal acne
Food ssources of vitamin D

Also, Vitamin E is an antioxidant that can help to reduce the damage caused by free radicals, which can lead to acne. However, It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.

Food sources of vitamin E useful in hormonal acne
Food sources, of vitamin E

Best skin care routine for hormonal acne

A good skincare routine for hormonal acne should focus on keeping the skin clean and reducing inflammation. This can include the following steps:

Cleanse: Use a gentle, oil-free cleanser twice a day to remove excess oil, dirt, and makeup. The Neutrogena oil-free acne wash does this well.

Exfoliate: Gently exfoliate the skin once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores.

Treat: Apply a spot treatment containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to target individual pimples.

Moisturize: Use a light, oil-free moisturizer to hydrate the skin and prevent over-drying. Cera ve daily moisturizing lotion is a good option here.

Sun protection: Wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day to protect the skin from UV damage and prevent further breakouts.

It’s also important to note that diet, stress, and other lifestyle factors can also play a role in hormonal acne. So, it may be helpful to address those issues in addition to following a skincare routine. Consult with a dermatologist for personalized advice and treatment

What to avoid when you have hormonal acne

It’s important to avoid the following, when you have this condition.

  1. Dairy products, such as milk and cheese, which can increase oil production in the skin.
  2. High-glycemic-index foods, such as white bread and sugary snacks, which can increase insulin levels and lead to acne.
  3. Processed foods and snacks, which can contain added sugars and oils that can worsen acne.
  4. Skincare products that contain pore-clogging ingredients, such as mineral oil and petrolatum.
  5. Touching or picking at your face, as this can transfer bacteria and oil from your hands to your skin, leading to breakouts.
  6. Over-exfoliating (more than twice per week) or over-cleansing your skin. This can strip your skin of its natural oils and leave it dry, irritated, and more prone to acne.

How to balance your hormones naturally

A picture showing foods that help to balance hormones naturally
  • Eating a balanced diet that is rich in whole foods, including fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
  • Exercising regularly at least 30 minutes a day. This may help to regulate insulin and other hormones.
  • Managing stress through techniques such as yoga, (click to learn yoga for beginners.
  • Getting enough sleep and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule.
  • Avoiding processed foods, added sugars, and excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption.
  • Considering taking natural supplements that can help balance hormones like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, magnesium, and probiotics.
  • Consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice and guidance.

What to expect

It’s important to note that some cases of hormonal acne may be resistant to treatment, and may require a combination of multiple approaches to manage the symptoms.

Till next time, stay healthy and be blessed!

32 COMMENTS

  1. I do not know if it’s just me or if everyone else experiencing issues with your
    site. It appears like some of the written text within your posts are running off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback
    and let me know if this is happening to them too? This may
    be a problem with my web browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
    Many thanks

  2. Hey there I am so glad I found your site, I really found you
    by mistake, while I was looking on Askjeeve for something else, Anyways I am here now
    and would just like to say thanks for a remarkable post and a all round
    interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have
    time to look over it all at the moment but I have book-marked
    it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the great b.

  3. Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
    After all I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!

  4. Whoa! This blog looks just like my old one!
    It’s on a entirely different subject but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Outstanding choice of colors!

  5. Hey! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group
    of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche.

    Your blog provided us beneficial information to work
    on. You have done a wonderful job!

  6. Hey there, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog site in Safari, it looks
    fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.

    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
    Other then that, excellent blog!

  7. I’m really loving the theme/design of your website.
    Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility issues?
    A couple of my blog readers have complained about my blog not
    working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera.
    Do you have any recommendations to help fix this problem?

  8. I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest
    but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website
    to come back down the road. Many thanks

  9. I just could not depart your web site before suggesting that I actually loved the usual information a person provide in your visitors? Is going to be back steadily to check out new posts.

  10. Suivre le téléphone portable – Application de suivi cachée qui enregistre l’emplacement, les SMS, l’audio des appels, WhatsApp, Facebook, photo, caméra, activité Internet. Idéal pour le contrôle parental et la surveillance des employés. Suivre le Téléphone Gratuitement – Logiciel de Surveillance en Ligne.

  11. Regards for sharing your neat site. [url=http://smilejobs.mireene.co.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_id=38132]Informeer naar de prijs van symmetrel 100 mg slaappillen[/url]

  12. urveillez votre téléphone de n’importe où et voyez ce qui se passe sur le téléphone cible. Vous serez en mesure de surveiller et de stocker des journaux d’appels, des messages, des activités sociales, des images, des vidéos, WhatsApp et plus. Surveillance en temps réel des téléphones, aucune connaissance technique n’est requise, aucune racine n’est requise.

  13. Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the net the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people think about worries that they just don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

  14. Usually I do not learn post on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to check out and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, very great post.

  15. wonderful post, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector don’t notice this. You should continue your writing. I am sure, you have a great readers’ base already!

  16. Have you ever considered publishing an ebook or guest authoring on other websites?
    I have a blog based upon on the same information you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information.
    I know my audience would value your work. If you’re even remotely interested,
    feel free to shoot me an e-mail.

LEAVE A REPLY