4 Ways to Manage Hormonal Acne
Hormonal acne isn’t just reserved for pre- and post pubescent teenagers. Hormonal acne can make an appearance in adulthood, and it’s more common than you think. Did you know, hormonal acne is most common in adult women between the ages of 20 and 40?
So what’s the difference between good, old-fashioned pimples and hormonal acne? Well, your standard pimple occurs when the openings of hair follicles become clogged and blocked with oil and dead skin cells. If the clogged pore becomes infected with bacteria, it forms a pimple, which is a small red bump with pus at its tip.
Hormonal acne is inherently linked to your hormones, resulting in cyclical breakouts that generally coincide with a person’s menstrual cycle. It can also match up with other hormonal shifts in your life, meaning your menopausal acne or postpartum pimples could be hormonal. Hormones can also cause your glands to produce more oil than normal, which leads to skin pores getting clogged, allowing bacteria (and pimples) to grow.
So, it looks like women are never really out of the woods when it comes to breakouts. Let’s have a look at ways to naturally manage them:
1.Establish a skin care routine that works for your skin type
Any dermatologist will tell you how important it is to ensure that any skin care products are chosen with your skin type in mind. If the product isn't right for your skin type it won't be as effective and could aggravate existing conditions, or even cause new ones. Make sure you know your skin type and are using good quality products that cater to it. To find out what your skin type is and what skin care routine to incorporate into your daily routine, read this blog.
2.Make stress management a top priority
Cortisol, the stress hormone, can affect all of your other hormones, too. Women who are prone to monthly hormonal fluctuations, and experience periods of acute stress, are setting themselves up for a perfect breakout storm.
Cortisol also causes increased oil production in your skin glands and topical inflammation, which can lead to clogged pores and acne breakouts. Chronic stress leads to constant increased levels of these hormones and can have a negative effect on your general skin health. To prevent stress acne, wash your face regularly, exercise, eat healthy foods and don’t pick at your skin!
3.Look at what you’re putting into your body
We all know that an unhealthy diet filled with processed foods can cause pimples to occur, but your diet can also affect your hormones, which in turn, can worsen acne. Foods that are high in sugar can cause a spike in insulin levels which can alter your hormones and affect your skin. When your blood sugar rises quickly, it causes the body to release insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a hormone that manages the effects of growth. Having excess IGF-1 in your blood can cause your oil glands to produce more sebum, increasing your risks of acne and inflammation.
The best foods to eat to treat acne:
- yellow and orange fruits and vegetables such as carrots, apricots, and sweet potatoes
- spinach and other dark green and leafy vegetables
- tomatoes
- blueberries
- whole-wheat bread
- brown rice
- quinoa
- turkey
- pumpkin seeds
- beans, peas, and lentils
- salmon, mackerel, and other kinds of fatty fish
- nuts
Getting an adequate amount of sleep and quitting smoking are also healthy ways to manage this inflammatory skin condition.
4.Invest in premium supplements that help you body manage hormones
Research has long pointed to topical medications such as benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics like tetracycline, and oral drugs that contain vitamin A - such as isotretinoin - which is for moderate to severe acne. But more and more, people are seeking natural vitamin and mineral supplements.
Increasing consumption of vitamin A, D, zinc, and vitamin E can help fight acne and lead to clearer skin. A go to supplement that is tried and trusted is The Olio Store’s DIM Complex.
DIM Complex is a powerful blend of Diindolylmethane (DIM) and complementary natural ingredients - like Curcumin (Turmeric Extract), Piperine (Black Pepper Extract) and Pomegranate Peel Extract - that are highly absorbable by the body. DIM is a natural compound produced when we digest cruciferous vegetables. This product may assist in reducing potent estrogen levels in men and women, as well as alleviating symptoms of hormonal acne. DIM may also reduce inflammatory skin conditions and improve skin elasticity.
Anyone suffering from hormonal acne has the tools to manage it’s painful and unsightly symptoms. Addressing hormonal imbalances, making real lifestyle changes and finding supplements and natural, topical products that work mean that life doesn’t stop when the break out starts!