Thought acne should go away after our early 20’s? Yeah, me too. Dealing with acne can be so stressful and life altering, especially when you are trying all the over-the-counter products, prescriptions, or ointments, etc. to help treat it. That is why I am here to explain what hormonal acne is and ways to help it.
What is hormonal acne?
Fluctuations that occur with our hormones lead to excess oil production, inflammation, and even bacteria build up. The best way to look for imbalances is through your menstrual cycle. Is it heavy or light, inconsistent or on time? It is always best to talk to your doctor if there are concerns with your hormone levels.
Are my breakouts caused by something else?
It most definitely can be! This is why it is important to have a consultation with a professional to discuss your diet, lifestyle, and current skin regimen. Products you are using on your skin can lead to disruption in our acid mantle or our protective layer made from oil and sweat. When this happens, our skin is prone to more damage, inflammation, and premature aging. Many over-the-counter products will change the pH of your skin that will strip away your natural oil.
Furthermore, our endocrine system is made up of many organs that use hormones to regulate our body. It can be affected by a variety of chemicals found in everyday items and foods. These chemicals can mimic or interfere with our hormones causing our hormones to spiral out of control, leading to breakouts.
Gut health also plays a huge role in acne. Our gut is connected to our skin’s appearance. Think about when you take antibiotics over and over. Those antibiotics do not just kill the bad bacteria, it takes the good as well, leaving your gut inflamed. Therefore, it is important to look at acne both internally and externally.
What foods to avoid:
· Dairy
· Gluten
· Soy
· Artificial sugar
· Processed foods
· Alcohol – HUGE. When you drink, your liver is so focused on getting rid of the alcohol from your system that is forgets about processing and eliminating everything else. This can cause your liver to slow down which then leads to malfunctions of toxins being removed
· Oils – when heat is added to canola oil and vegetable oil, the molecules change causing them to be harmful. It can contain trans fat and is very inflammatory
What to add:
· Healthy fats – such as salmon, avocado, grass-fed meats
· Greens - & a lot of them
· Probiotics – help rebalance your gut flora
· Anti-inflammatory foods: omega-3 found in fish, berries, walnuts, turmeric
In conclusion, hormonal acne may be more than just hormones. Approaching this from all angles is your best bet when trying to pinpoint the culprit. It is always best to discuss hormone-related issues with your doctor and consult a Licensed Esthetician to discuss your current skincare regimen.
