What’s the Best Way to Address Hormonal Acne

You should only experience acne breakouts throughout your teenage years, right? And reaching adulthood will mean your skin will be problem free. Except this isn’t always the case. Hormonal acne is becoming a common struggle for women in the ages of’  20-’50s. This is caused by hormonal imbalances and typically appears in the jawline, chin, and lower cheek.

Hormonal acne is linked to the hormones estrogen, androgen, and testosterone. Depending on the fluctuations, they can cause excess sebum production, which causes more clogged-pores leading to breakouts. Your skin regimen that once kept your skin clear and glowing may not work during this condition. Hormonal acne needs to be treated from the inside out.

Here are the best ways to address hormonal acne:

Keep Stress at Bay

Stress has a significant impact on our hormones and can trigger more acne growth. This activates the adrenal glands which produce more androgens, like testosterone. Males are not as affected by these stress hormones as they produce their male hormones in the testes and just a minimal amount in the adrenal glands. Females, on the other hand, are significantly impacted by these hormones. They naturally produce only low amounts of testosterone, so an extra production of this male hormone can play a toll on their body.

Besides producing androgens, stress also raises the cortisol levels of a person. When both of these hormones are secreted because of stress, they escalate oil production, which creates more breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.

To reduce stress-related breakout, you should, of course, de-stress. Be mindful whenever you are stressed out so you can immediately come up with preventive actions.

Anti-hormonal Acne Diet

Some foods can fluctuate or increase your hormone levels. And an imbalance in the hormones is one of the leading causes of acne. Inflammatory foods are some of the major culprits for hormonal acne – this includes highly-processed foods, sugar, caffeine, and dairy. These foods cause an imbalance in testosterone and androgen levels.

Dairy, as an example, stimulates testosterone production and causes the testosterone levels to spike – this kind of activity significantly impacts a person’s hormonal balance. Refined carbs and sugars also lead to an insulin spike, which causes inflammation and more oil production. Excess oil in the skin is a breeding ground for bacteria and may lead to acne.

Instead, you should increase your intake of foods high in antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids, zinc, and probiotics. Taking some herbs and vitamins can balance hormone levels and lower the risk of hormonal acne from growing.

You should also increase your intake of fiber because it helps decrease DHEA, DHT, and testosterone – all in which are androgens that cause hormonal imbalance and triggers acne growth.

Acidity happens when your pH levels are off balance, which makes us more prone to illness, and yes, hormonal acne. It limits nutrient extraction from the foods you eat. Acidity may also cause your meals to sit longer in your stomach and trigger fermentation, which creates more toxicity, and in turn, leads to the formation of new acne.

It’s essential to balance your stomach acid levels through decreasing acidic foods like meat, alcohol, sugar, grains, and opt for fruits and vegetables. Drinking more water and sipping on ACV or lemon juice can also help balance your acidity levels.

Proper Skincare

Hormonal breakout requires extra attention, which means you need to give your cleansing an extra effort. Removing all the grime and makeup from the day is crucial. It is best to start your skincare with a cleanser that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to help treat blemishes, all while getting rid of excess dirt and toxins on the skin’s surface.

Cleanse gently and be sure to reach your jawline, neck, and behind your ears. The goal is to rid of your face from any traces of makeup, dirt, and sweat – which all clog pores and becomes a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.

To remove excess oil, fight bacteria, and target blemishes, use a toner to remove any leftover toxins. This will prepare the pores to absorb better ingredients coming from your next skin care products.

The last critical step is to moisturize, whether or not you have oily skin. It is best to opt for moisturizers that are labeled as non-comedogenic and oil-free.

Medical Treatments

Of course, medicinal treatments from professional are the most effective treatments there is. Medical treatments may include topical solutions and non-surgical procedures.

Topical Solutions

Topical treatments that include antibiotics, retinoids, and anti-inflammatories may treat hormonal acne. Certain antibiotic creams, such as Dalacin T, can fight off bacteria in the hair follicle and on the skin that causes acne.

Non-invasive Treatments

There are non-surgical treatments that target any types of acne, such as professional chemical peels and low-level light therapies.

Pores clogged with dirt, oil, and dead skin cells are a breeding ground for bacteria which may cause inflammation deep within the skin. Low-level light therapy shrinks oil glands, which dramatically reduces the risk of toxins from clogging the pores. Additionally, the lights kill bacteria without damaging the skin.

Injections

Hormonal acne may sometimes develop into cystic acne, which is the worst kind of acne. This kind causes deep inflammation and may leave severe scarring, which can last a long time, or for some, permanently. It is important to have a skilled and experienced doctor to carry out this procedure as steroid injections may cause skin atrophy.

When to See a Doctor for Your Acne

So you’ve done everything from changing your lifestyle, tweaking your diet, and trying out a number of treatments but for some particular reason, your breakout still persists. This is the right time to visit your doctor or dermatologist. They will know what treatments are right and best for you – besides, they are the experts.

Dealing with hormonal acne may be frustrating and tricky, but you should not lose hope. Nowadays, with modern technologies, there are products and procedures that can effectively treat this breakout inside out. Stay consistent with your treatments, consult a specialist, and you will eventually get rid of your hormonal acne.