How to stop hormonal acne
Hormonal acne can be treated in many of ways, just like any other skin condition. You can try medicine, alter your way of life, or experiment with laser and light therapy. The way you choose to treat your hormonal acne is entirely up to you; there is no right or wrong way to do it because everyone is different and skincare is extremely personal. Having said that, there is nothing improper about wishing to treat hormonal acne organically. We consulted with three board-certified physicians to get the real scoop on what causes hormonal acne as well as how to treat it naturally. For all the information you require, continue reading.
What Does Hormonal Acne Mean?
Acne is brought on by a variety of reasons, such as excessive sebum production, blocked pores, inflammation, and bacterial growth on the skin, but these are by no means the only ones. Hormones are the main offender in some people, though. As board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D., in New York City, explains: "Hormonal acne refers to breakouts that occur in women around the time of their menstrual cycle, as the fluctuations in hormones stimulate oil glands, leading to acne flares.
What Exactly Causes Hormonal Acne?
Hormonal acne can affect anyone who menstruates (even without abnormal hormone levels), but according to board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, M.D., of New York City, it can also be linked to disorders like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). "Hormonal acne typically affects the lower third of the face, frequently affecting the jawline and chin, but can also contribute to breakouts on the chest and back," she notes. "Typically, it manifests with deeper, cystic breakouts that may be persistent and cyclical."
Since there is no one optimum course of action or panacea for hormonal acne, Dr. Garshick frequently recommends a combination of treatments. In addition to benzoyl peroxide, she advises treating acne from other possible causes with a retinoid. A number of oral contraceptive tablets or spironolactone, a blood pressure medication that can be taken safely off-label for the treatment of hormonal acne, are frequently the most effective treatments for the hormonal component, however.
How to Naturally Treat Hormonal Acne
fortunately are several natural alternatives to cure hormonal acne if you don't want to use pharmaceuticals, from stress reduction to using specific essential oils that battle germs. Here, professionals offer their opinions on the top all-natural remedies for hormonal acne.
1. Reduced levels of stress
Although stress is bad for the body in many different ways, it may also have a major negative impact on the skin and exacerbate hormonal acne. According to board-certified dermatologist Chesahna Kindred, M.D., of Columbia, Maryland, "the body produces more testosterone during times of stress, which in turn stimulates oil glands and hair follicles to trigger acne." Dr. Kindred often emphasizes to her patients the significance of stress management because of this.
Stress also prevents wound healing and encourages acne breakouts, says Dr. Zeichner. "Whether it's meditation or yoga, do what you can to minimize your personal stress levels," he advises. "The same hormones that help prepare our body to deal with challenging situations also have an impact on our skin." Exercise, talk therapy, and preserving a healthy work-life balance are all excellent ways to reduce stress. Daily meditation is another. He also suggests using a humidifier, and we suggest Levoit's Cool Mist Air Ultrasonic Humidifier, to maintain sufficient moisture levels for better-looking skin.
2. Watch what you eat.
Does nutrition, therefore, influence hormonal acne in real life? It very certainly can, according to the experts. According to Dr. Kindred, foods with a high glycemic indexlike sugary foodshave been reported to exacerbate both hormonal and non-hormonal acne. Dr. Zeichner continues by advising avoiding refined carbohydrates and starches in favor of whole grains because they raise blood glucose levels, which trigger inflammation and acne breakouts. In addition, he advises including fermented foods like kombucha, sauerkraut, and kimchi in your diet since they "help balance our bodies' microbiome and reduce the inflammation that leads to breakouts."
Furthermore, Dr. Zeicher suggests avoiding cow's milk if you have hormonal acne because it has been linked to aggravating breakouts. Skim milk may cause acne outbreaks in people who are prone to them, he says, adding that it's unclear if the cause is sugar or hormones in the milk from breastfeeding cows. If you have acne, think about switching to a milk alternative like almond or oat milk or choosing goat's milk.
And last, if you experience regular hormonal acne flare-ups, Dr. Garshick suggests increasing your green tea consumption. "Green tea is known to have anti-inflammatory benefits, making it another good option for lowering inflammation that may cause hormonal breakouts," she claims.
3. Use ACV and tea tree oil.
Dr. Kindred claims that C. acnes, the bacteria linked to acne, is killed by tea tree oil. She suggests using a cleanser with tea tree oil as a hormonal acne treatment or making a diluted wash with water and a few drops of raw oil that you can apply straight to your pimples. According to Dr. Garshick, studies on tea tree oil's ability to reduce inflammation suggest that it may also help lessen the redness linked to hormonal outbreaks.
Added substance for hormonal acne that doctors advise? apple cider liqueur. According to Raechele Cochran Gathers, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and the creator of MDhairmixtress.com, "ACV has antifungal and antibacterial qualities and can help kill bacteria and yeast on the skin linked to conditions like acne, eczema, and dandruff." ACV is acidic and, if taken improperly, can severely irritate the skin. As such, you should always see your dermatologist first.
4. Make your skincare unique.
As Dr. Garshick adds, it's crucial for people with hormonal acne to cleanse at least once or twice a day when it comes to lifestyle aspects like your skincare regimen. Not only should you not skimp on cleansing, but you also shouldn't over-cleanse or try to scrub the acne away because doing so might harm your skin's protective layer. "You want to make sure that you're getting rid of bacteria and excess sebum that contributes to acne, so don't skimp on cleansing," she says. There are many excellent face cleansers for acne on the market. "Using abrasive scrubbing or harsh soaps can actually irritate the skin and make acne worse.
Period syncing might also be beneficial if you don't mind switching up your skincare regimen. Tracking your monthly cycle is the first step, which you may accomplish with the help of applications like FLO. According to the theory, your skin changes over the course of your roughly 28-day cycle as your hormones rise and fall. As a result, your skincare routine should adapt to take into account this relationship between your skin as well as hormones.
applying moisturizing facial oils the week of your period, when low hormone levels cause a duller complexion, or applying alpha hydroxy acids the week before your period, when estrogen lowers (cueing extra oil production), could be suggested. You can then adjust your routine to fit your particular cycle and anticipate the changes in your body's skin that are taking place.
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