Your Diet May Be The Culprit
Food is one of the primary contributors to fluctuating or increased hormone levels in our bodies.
The typical American diet is acidic and high in saturated fats, processed grains, meat fats, and refined sugar. It is also low in fresh vegetables, fruit, fish, fiber, and antioxidants. Research has shown that this can cause an imbalance in testosterone and androgen levels, respectively. Therefore, a healthy diet is one form of natural treatment for hormonal acne. Another way to balance hormone levels is by taking certain herbs and vitamins. Both these items are discussed in more detail below.
Try A Prescription Oral Medication
If OTC treatments or prescription topicals aren’t doing the trick, ask your dermatologist about oral medications. Especially if you have deeper, painful cystic acne, topicals may need to be supplemented by oral medication. One option that Dr. Zeichner and Dr. Garshick recommend is spironolactone, an oral blood pressure medication that helps lower oil productionand secretion. Spironolactone can take up to three months to show effects, but many hormonal acne sufferers swear by it.
There are also several oral contraceptives that are also FDA-approved to treat hormonal acne and are sometimes prescribed in conjunction with spironolactone. They work by regulating your hormones and decreasing testosterone, which can reduce hormone-fueled breakouts. Yaz, Beyaz, Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Estrostep are the four pills that are FDA-approved to treat acne, but most of the combination oral contraceptive pills are useful, says Dr. Zeichner. You can talk to your dermatologist or gynecologist about getting a prescription.
Symptoms Of Hormonal Acne
During puberty, hormonal acne often appears on the T-zone, which includes your nose, chin, and forehead. Hormonal acne in adults may start on the lower area of the face, which includes the jawline and lower cheeks.
Acne may appear as comedones, which are of two types whiteheads and blackheads.
Blackheads open at the surface of the skin, and they appear black after sebum interacts with the air.
Whiteheads are closed beneath the skin surface and appear white on top.
Touching or picking at comedones may rupture the follicle wall, but some ruptures also happen spontaneously. When this occurs, sebum and bacteria from the ruptured pore can spread to the surrounding area, leading to inflammation. Inflammatory acne starts as papules, which are commonly referred to as pimples.
Acne may also appear as:
- Papules: Small, raised, red bumps from inflammation or infection of the hair follicles
- Pustules: Small and red pus-filled pimples
- Nodules: Similar to papules but larger in diameter, this type is also dense and painful and lies deep in the skin
- Cysts: Large lumps under the skin that contain pus and may be painful and tender
Don’t Miss: What Hormone Imbalance Causes Weight Gain
How Long Does It Take For Hormonal Acne To Clear Up
“Hormonal acne may resolve on its own once hormone levels in the body become balanced, though it is common to experience hormonal acne breakouts in cyclic episodes as hormones fluctuate overtime,” says Green.
So while your pimples may disappear in as little as one week, Green says they’re likely to return and can even cause permanent scarring if left untreated. “For patients who forgo evaluation and treatment with a dermatologist, their hormonal acne can last for years,” she says.
Unhealthy Ingredients And Toxins In Food
In this category we have things like:
As you can see from this list, none of these things are natural or in a whole food form.
So, your body basically treats them like toxins.
Now, when toxins are present in the body they trigger the immune system and create stress.
That stress also triggers your bodys inflammatory response. This simple means that your adrenals release anti-inflammatory hormones like cortisol.
As that internal inflammation builds up, its also reflected externally in the form of acne.
Don’t Miss: How Much Melatonin For 40 Lb Child
Kate Somerville Eradikate Acne Treatment
Best hormonal acne spot treatment
This product contains sulfur to clear pores, salicylic acid to soothe inflammation, and zinc oxide to absorb sebum.
The company says that this product can clear acne and prevent future breakouts.
A person can make a one-time purchase or get a regular order every 15 months. The company ships to Canada and the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and territories.
A 1-oz bottle of the EradiKate Acne Treatment costs $28.
What Is The Best Natural Treatment For Hormonal Acne
Diet can be a factor in hormonal acne. Some foods can act as anti-inflammatories and help with acne. These are vegetables, fish, nuts, and some healthy oils like olive oil and avocado. Coconut oil, avocado, omega-3 fats, dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts, and carrots are also beneficial to people with acne in general and, more specifically, hormonal acne. Eliminating specific acne triggers, like cow’s milk, dairy, and sugars, can also help.
The DIM + cruciferous supplement is an excellent addition to hormonal acne treatment. They contain a natural extract of cruciferous vegetables , specially formulated to help balance hormones and reduce acne signs in adult women.
You May Like: What Does Testosterone Pills Do
How Does Hormonal Acne Look Like
Hormonal acne or Mukhadushika may range from mild, moderate to severe acne lesions. For adults, it usually appears in various facial areas such as the lower face, forehead and across the jaw. Hormonal acne in teenagers often shows up in the T-zone where there are more sebaceous glands.
Mild acne lesions may be characterized by a few comedones , pustules and papules. Moderate to severe hormonal acne is likely to cover a larger section of the face with inflamed acne lesions such as pustules, papules, cysts and nodules.
Hormonal Acne In Your 20s 30s Or 40s
So you escaped acne in your teens. You did it! Youre home free. You made it!
Wellnot so fast. Instead of celebrating your good luck, reality strikes and you start to notice the beginnings of acne in your 20s, 30s or even 40s. You think to yourself, is this possible? Can I actually be having acne at my age?
The unfortunate answer isYes. Not only is it possible, its actually very common.
Experiencing acne for the first time in ones 20s, 30s or 40s happens all the time.
But wait. Theres more. Not only is acne common later in life, but hormonal acne commonly rears its head for the first time in 20 year olds30 year oldsand believe it or not, even in 40 year olds.
But youre still not buying it. Just wait one minute, you think to yourself. Everybody knows that acne is supposed to happen to teenagers. Its a rite of passage in high school, isnt it? Acne is not something that happens to grown upsis it?
Don’t Miss: How Does Paragard Work Without Hormones
Hormonal Acne: Causes Types And Treatments
Hormonal acne refers to breakouts that occur due to hormone fluctuations, particularly a rise in androgens such as testosterone. Although the acne that results from hormonal fluctuations in puberty is typically called hormonal acne, it may affect adults at any age. Its particularly common during menstruation and menopause.
Internal Ingredients For Hormonal Acne: Natural Herbs Acne Treatment Tips
The liver acts as a filter for the bodys hormones, helping to create a state of balance. Most people have overly taxed livers due to alcohol consumption, prescription medications, and low quality foods, which can cause hormonal imbalance. Dandelion, a liver supportive herb, is effective in improving the appearance of hormonal acne and is a safe supplement for most people, even those with a high estrogen or a sensitivity to estrogen. Try brewing a dandelion root and leaf tea, or making dandelion “coffee” from the roasted root. Kicking your morning coffee with a dandelion root brew is great for you in many ways by taking stress off your adrenal glands, nourishing your gut health instead of eroding it, and hydrating you deeply first thing in the morning with a mineral-rich brew. As a bonus this is even an herb you can wildharvest from your yard if you choose.
To address signs of androgen dominance, try sipping spearmint tea twice daily. Its not only delicious but studies show this herb helps to balance testosterone levels and improve the appearance of hormonal acne symptoms.
Want to have even more support addressing hormonal acne? Online treatment for acne can help you make real progress with your skin. Holistic Skin Circle offers courses that can help you begin the process of changing your habits to create clear skin. The courses include dietary support, skin product suggestions, and lifestyle habits plus a plan to help you stick to them so you can see real change.
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Hormonal Bloating
Drink Juices To Amplify Your Results
Weve talked about how beneficial smoothies are for acne, but what about juices?
Well, they are like a super concentrated shot!
So, whats the difference between smoothies and juices?
The main difference is with smoothies you blend the whole fruits, veggies and so on.
So you get a lot of fiber. That fiber is great for your gut and also essential for keeping you regular .
On the other hand, juices dont contain fiber. But what they do have is all the nutrients that are in the food.
Heres the dealin a large smoothie you may use 1 or 2 carrot. But to make a large glass of juice, you will use about 5 or 6 jumbo carrots. Thats a lot of carrots and therefore, a lot more nutrients .
When it comes to smoothies vs. juices, both are very effective. You cant go wrong with either.
So use one or both. Totally up to you.
Heres a tasty juice recipe to try:
| INGREDIENTS |
For tips on how to use these recipes, see the next section below.
How To Glow Up
Acne can be caused by a ton of factors. Thats why you need to diversify your skin care regimen.
When treating hormonal acne, it is essential to use a multi-pronged clinical approach addressing the four causes of acne: follicular plugging, bacteria, excess sebum production, and inflammation, says Zenovia.
Some folks take a prescription medication to curb their acne. There are also lots of over-the-counter treatments to try.
Don’t Miss: Can You Be Trans Without Hormones
The Link Between Our Hormones And Acne
Before we get to the three best natural treatments for hormonal acne, lets first discuss how hormones trigger breakouts. Bear with me for a moment while we have a mini biology lesson!
Hormones have a major role in the development of acne. Although the exact mechanism behind their powerful influence is unknown, we do know that androgen hormones gum up the follicle by triggering oil production.
Androgens are the so-called male hormones and are present in males and females. The testes, ovaries and the adrenal glands all produce androgens. The most well-known androgens are testosterone and its breakdown product is dihydrotestosterone .
What Causes Hormonal Acne
While any menstruator can have hormonal acne , , M.D., board-certified dermatologist in New York City, says it can be associated with certain medical conditions, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome . Hormonal acne typically occurs on the lower third of the face, often affecting the jawline and chin, but can also contribute to breakouts on the chest and back, she explains. Typically it appears with deeper, cystic breakouts, which may be stubborn and cyclical.
Theres no one best treatment or cure-all for hormonal acne, so Dr. Garshick tends to suggest a combination of therapies. Its important to also treat other potential causes of acne with a retinoid as well as benzoyl peroxide, she says. But for the hormonal component, its often most effective to treat with certain oral contraceptive pills or spironolactone, a blood pressure medication that can be safely used off-label for the purpose of treating hormonal acne.
Dont Miss: Whats The Difference Between Acne And Pimples
Also Check: How To Know You Have Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal Acne Is Unavoidable But Still Controllable You Can Use These Home Remedies And Make Your Skin Look Better This Season
How to get rid of Hormonal Acne: What happens inside our bodies is reflected on the outside and hormonal disbalances are one of the most prominent outbreaks that we can see on the skin. Our hormones keep changing and lose their balance due to age, and other factors that cause problems on the outside and one such problem is hormonal acne. Some people experience them during their periods, or pregnancy because those are the times when your body goes through major hormonal changes and hence the acne starts showing up. But how to get rid of these acne? Is there a permanent solution?Also Read – Difference Between Regular Acne And PCOS-Induced Acne, And How to Cure Both, Expert Speaks!
While we cant say if these solutions are permanent, they are definitely worth a try because they will surely help you reduce acne formation by manifolds. Paridhi Goel, Founder of Love Earth, shares 10 home remedies to get rid of hormonal acne. Also Read – How to Take Care of Your Skin During Hot And Humid Weather? Shahnaz Husain Shares Tips
Hormonal acne is unavoidable but still controllable. You can use these home remedies and make your skin look better this season! Also Read – Tired of Acne-Prone Skin? 10 Magical Ingredients For Acne-Free Monsoon
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on or follow us on and . Read more on Latest Lifestyle News on India.com.
Topics:
Options For Treating Hormonal Acne
So what can you do when hormonal acne enters your life?
Well, the good news is that we do have some very effective therapies.
For hormonal acne that mostly features breakouts surrounding the menstrual period, oral contraceptive pills , also known as birth control pills, can often be very helpful. Because of their ability to regulate acne causing hormones, OCPs can often lead to significant improvement of hormonal acne.
Another effective treatment for hormonal acne is a pill called spironolactone. Spironolactone is a prescription pill that can be very effective for stopping hormonal acne. It works by interfering with the actions of acne-causing hormones to prevent acne from starting in the first place.
Spironolactone is a very old pill that was originally developed many years ago as a blood pressure medication for which it is still commonly used. However, acne dermatologists take advantage of an unrelated activity of spironolactone in which it interferes with androgenic hormones which are the hormones that cause acne.
Spironolactone is a very helpful treatment for hormonal acne in women because it works at the very source of this acne type. It is generally very effective for women with hormonal acne and is usually tolerated very well. Spironolactone can often maintain clear skin in many women who take this medication.
In the case that spironolactone doesnt prove effective for some cases of hormonal acne, a medication called Accutane can be a very effective option.
Also Check: Seed Rotation For Hormone Balance
What Are The Characteristics Of Hormonal Acne
During puberty, hormonal acne often appears in the T-zone. This includes your forehead, nose, and chin.
Hormonal adult acne typically forms on the lower part of your face. This includes the bottom of your cheeks and around your jawline.
For some people, hormonal acne takes the form of blackheads, whiteheads, and small pimples that come to a head, or cysts.
Cysts form deep under the skin and dont come to a head on the surface. These bumps are often tender to the touch.
Hormonal acne may be caused by influxes of hormones from:
Maintain A Preventative Skincare Routine
“Even when your skin is doing well, you should continue your preventative skincare routine,” says Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD, board-certified NYC dermatologist and clinical instructor at Mount Sinai Hospital. “That means in addition to regular daily sunscreen or sun protection,continue using your topical retinoid, such as Differin Gel. And if your skin is not irritated and can tolerate an exfoliator, try alpha-hydroxy acids or salicylic acid two to three times weekly.
“In addition to clearing existing acne, Differin Gel will also help to prevent future breakouts from forming by increasing skin cell turnover to minimize clogging of pores.” Additionally, Fenton recommends using an OTC acne wash and non-comedogenic moisturizer regularly.
Also Check: Can I Get Hormone Levels Checked
How To Treat Hormonal Acne Without Medication
Eating properly can help you treat hormonal acne without medication. To combat hormonal acne effectively and promote healing of the skin, it is very important to pay attention to your daily diet, since there are certain ingredients that can help eliminate pimples more quickly and others, that can aggravate the imperfections already present on the skin. Take note of these significant dietary recommendations to control hormonal acne:
- Follow a balanced and healthy diet, rich in fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Include nutrients such as omega 3, beta-carotene, zinc and vitamins B6 and C in your daily diet.
- Drink plenty of water during the day.
- Avoid the consumption of foods rich in fats and sugars, as well as red meat and whole milk products.
- Limit the consumption of drinks with caffeine and alcohol.
If you want to read similar articles to How To Treat Hormonal Acne Naturally, we recommend you visit our Beauty & Personal Care category.
How To Treat And Manage Hormonal Acne According To A Skin Expert
Hormonal acne is one of the topics that, without fail, continues to pop up in Go-Tos DMs.
Its not surprising. Hormonal acne is a notoriously tricky, and oftentimes very frustrating, skin condition to treat. Its also very common! With that in mind, weve tapped skin wizard and owner of Skin Essentials, Dr. Imaan Joshi to help explain all things hormonal acne and hopefully simplify your skin journey at the same time.
Read Also: Does Hormone Therapy For Breast Cancer Cause Weight Gain