How Do I Control Hormonal Acne

D Home Remedies For Curing Hormonal Acne Naturally

When it comes to treating hormonal acne, you can also resort to home remedies. Such remedies can balance your hormones and reduce hormonal acne symptoms such as inflammations, skin irritation, clogging of pores and excess sebum production. Some of such remedies include:

1. Green Tea

The application of green tea on acne affected areas have shown positive results as per new research. Flavonoids in green tea are now being promoted as an effective anti-acne agent for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Using green tea for spot treatment or as a face cleanser can prevent the occurrence of comedones and visibly reduce your hormonal acne.

2. Tea Tree Oil Spot Treatment

Tea tree oil is now being used in a number of skincare products including Korean skincare to reduce adult hormonal acne. Its ability to regulate sebum secretion and prevent clogging of skin pores has proven to be beneficial in hormonal acne treatments. Add tea tree oil to a carrier oil and apply on the affected area. Face masks containing tea tree oil can also help with the acne condition.

3. Clove Oil Spot Treatment

Applying clove oil on hormonal acne can help relieve skin irritation and reduce over secretion of sebum that can clog your pores. Eugenol in clove oil helps prevent the formation of acne by preventing the growth of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria in your pores.

4. Gram Flour, Rose Water And Honey Face Pack

5. Consuming Flaxseed Oil

6. Yoga For Hormonal Acne

Get A Good Skincare Routine

Again, theres only so much you can do from a topical standpoint at home when it comes to treating hormonal acne. As long as you have a good skincare routine , the only other powerful cystic-zit fighter to try is benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide not only kills acne-causing bacteria, but it also decreases oil production by decreasing lipid and fatty acid production, and has mild whitehead and blackhead-fighting abilities, Dr. Imahiyerobo-Ip has told Cosmo.

As a rule, always start off with a low dose of 2.5 or 5 percent benzoyl peroxide . That being said, this stuff can still be highly irritating, so if you have sensitive skin, try starting with a benzoyl peroxide face wash before trying spot treatments.

Steps To Eliminate Hormonal Acne Naturally At Home

In this section, were going to look at how to use your diet, lifestyle and skin care routine to start clearing up your skin quickly.

If your acne is really severe, its best to follow all of these steps.

However, you can start with whichever ones make the most sense for you and add on others as time goes by.

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Tea Tree Oil For Hormonal Acne

A traditional skin clearing remedy, tea tree oil is thought to be as effective as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid in managing acne prone skin.

Tea tree oil has antibacterial properties that work against propionibacteria as well as anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce inflammation. Its associated with allergic contact dermatitis in some individuals, so use sparingly to begin with.

What Foods Trigger Acne

Foods that trigger acne include milk, whey protein, refined carbohydrates, high GI foods, sugar, alcohol, and inflammatory fats. These foods impact your skin by increasing the production of hormones that worsen acne. Not everyone will react to all these foods, but consider eliminating them if you deal with stubborn acne.

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B Ayurvedic Essential Oils For Hormonal Acne

1. Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is known for its Vata- Pitta balancing properties. Topical application of jojoba oil on the area affected by hormonal acne can help in controlling sebum production. Its anti-inflammatory nature helps in reducing inflamed acne lesions such as papules, pustules, cysts and nodules. Its antimicrobial nature fosters the healing process and reduces acne causing bacteria.

2. Turmeric Oil

Turmerics natural anti-inflammatory, antiseptic properties prevents the formation of acne and controls the proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria. It is also highly effective on acne scars and blemishes. Mix it with a carrier oil as its direct application may irritate your skin.

3. Neem Oil

A natural antiseptic, anti-bacterial oil, neem helps improve your skin condition and prevents acne breakouts. It also reduces inflammations and helps improve your overall skin condition. Do a patch test before applying neem oil directly to the affected area or mix it with a carrier oil and apply.

4. Coconut Oil

5. Hibiscus Oil

Hibiscus oil has multiple benefits when it comes to treating skin disorders such as hormonal acne. It can help to regulate sebum secretion and prevent clogging of pores. Mild saponins present in hibiscus can clear your pores and prevent the formation of acne. It helps to balance aggravates Pitta and thereby reduces acne inflammations.

How To Treat Hormonal Acne

“Preventing hormonal acne might seem like a tall orderit is caused by your hormones, after all but there are a few things you can do, says Love. It requires some lifestyle changes. These breakouts are coming from an imbalance of hormones in the body, so you need to get to the root of the cause to determine the right hormonal acne treatment. Ahead, dermatologists share their best tips for how to help treat hormonal acne.

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Treating Mild To Severe Acne

These three oral contraceptives have been approved for treating moderate acne in women who:

• Are at least age 14 or 15
• Have already started menstruating
• Need contraception

In actual practice, doctors prescribe birth control for the full spectrum of acne, from mild to severe.

In addition, doctors may prescribe additional birth control products for acne. For example, the oral contraceptives Yasmin and Alesse have both been clinically shown to improve acne. But neither one has been approved by the FDA for this use.

If you’re already taking an oral contraceptive that’s working well in treating acne, there’s no need to switch brands. But if you are taking birth control pills for acne for the first time, it’s best to use one of the three types now approved for acne treatment.

You may need to take an oral contraceptive for a few months before your skin starts to clear. And an initial flare-up of acne is common when a woman first starts taking birth control pills.

Birth control pills work on only one acne-related factor — excess sebum. Doctors often prescribe other forms of acne treatment — topical medications or antibiotics — to be used alongside them for best results in clearing the skin.

If you have severe acne along with irregular periods, excess facial hair, or obesity, your doctor may do further testing for a medical condition called polycystic ovary syndrome or other hormonal condition.

Why We Develop Acne After Stopping Birth Control

There are several factors that contribute to post-birth control syndrome acne. Many of which are a direct result of what birth control has done to our bodies while on it.

Alice explained that her skin seemed oily within the first couple months of stopping the pill. What followed were small zits on her chin and jawline the week before her period. When she presented in my office she was noticing acne that was deeper and more inflamed 10 days before her period.

It seems to be coming on sooner and sooner and Im afraid my face is going to look like this all the time, she shared during her first visit with me.

There were several reasons why Alices skin was rebelling and they are common after coming off of hormonal birth control.

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Add More Hormone Balancing Foods To Your Acne Diet

The most high impact step that you can take to clear up your skin is to eat more hormone-friendly foods.

There are 5 categories of hormone-balancing foods that I suggest focusing on:

• Cruciferous vegetables: theyre ideal for detoxing excess estrogen and therefore, supporting a healthy ratio of estrogen to progesterone. Remember that even if your body is making more androgens and less estrogen, your estrogen to progesterone ratio can still be off balance. Therefore you can still be in an estrogen dominant state that contributes to acne. Example of foods to eat are cauliflower, bok choy, radishes, broccoli, kale, collard greens and cabbage.

• Plant proteins: plant proteins are more nutrient-dense and more anti-inflammatory than animal proteins. Example of foods to eat are nuts, seeds, beans, quinoa and broccoli.

• Naturally fatty foods: fats are the raw material for all of our sex hormones as well as all the adrenal hormones. Example of foods to eat are avocados, coconuts, nuts, seeds, nut butters and olives.

• Antioxidant-rich fruits: antioxidants help fight off the damaging effects of inflammation at a cellular level. Example of foods to eat are oranges, blueberries, melons, papayas and mangoes.

• Green vegetables: theyre high in chlorophyll which supports detoxification. Example of foods to eat are cucumber, kale, spinach, broccoli, arugula, microgreens, dandelion greens.

Does Birth Control Help With Hormonal Acne

In many cases, birth control may be prescribed to help with hormonal acne. Dr. Stigall told us that birth control and other androgen blocking medications, such as spironolactone, may be helpful in the treatment of hormonal acne.

Although, she also said, birth control is not a one size fits all treatment and may actually make hormonal acne worse. This is why it is important to visit an experienced dermatologist who can help create a personalized acne treatment plan for you.

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What Questions Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider

• How severe is my acne?
• What lifestyle changes should I make to prevent hormonal acne from forming?
• What are the side effects to my acne treatment?
• Can I take this treatment if I become pregnant?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

It can be frustrating to see breakouts on your skin as an adult, considering they are most frequent among adolescents. Talk with your healthcare provider if your acne is persistent and they will be able to offer advanced treatment options to eliminate pesky pimples.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/10/2021.

References

Check For Deeper Causes

We also check for signs of more significant issues that induce hormonal acne. Acne is one of the symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome . To find out if this is a potential cause, we ask women about their cycle regularity, weight gain, and unwanted hair growth. If we suspect PCOS, well involve a gynecologist for testing. Early detection and treatment is important to help decrease the likelihood of potential complications such as difficulty with conception, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

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Use Epsom Salt Bath To Cure Hormonal Acne With Natural Treatment

Epsom salt bath is a very beneficial remedy to cure hormonal acne.

How to use?

• Add two cups of Epsom salt in the bathtub of hot water
• Soak yourself in water for about fifteen minutes
• Remove the tub and pat dry with a clean and dry towel
• Repeat the same every day

Benefits of using Epsom salt bath

Epsom salt bath specializes in treating the hormonal acne pain and inflammation. It helps in draining out the bacteria from the body and reduces the tendency of the body to catch the same condition in the future. If you are looking for how to get rid of hormonal acne, this is the way to go.

Precaution

Make sure the water is not boiling. Moisturize well after the bath.

Other than these natural remedies, there are a few more home remedies which help in curing hormonal acne on the body. Swipe down to know how to get rid of hormonal acne naturally at home with items coming right out of your kitchen.

The Causes Of Hormonal Acne

The concern that hormonal acne is more prevalent could be due to several factors, like women talking about it more, increased environmental toxicity, and the prevalence of xenoestrogens or chemicals that cause hormone imbalances in our environment, Dr. Jolene Brighten, a functional medicine naturopathic medical doctor and the author of Beyond The Pill, tells TZR. We also need to acknowledge the role of processed food and medications that can lead to nutrient depletions, hormone disruption, and poor gut health.

Birth control use is on the rise, and the hormonal changes which occur after discontinuing or starting a birth control pill also cause acne, Dr. Wood says while Dr. Robinson adds that patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome , a hormonal disorder, will often present with hormone-related acne, as well.

Basically, this type of acne is multifactorial, as Dr. Brighten says. From diet to lifestyle to birth control and plain old hormonal imbalance, there are multiple causes of hormonal acne and often, more than one is present in each individual patient which makes it hard to pin down a single effective treatment.

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Understanding The Relationship Between Your Diet And Hormonal Acne

For a long time, skin health professionals weren’t convinced that diet made any difference for acne, but nutrition science is constantly growing and changing. More evidence solidifies the association between food and skin in the last few years.

In addition to the link between food and inflammation, diet influences acne severity by affecting the levels of various hormones, including:

• Insulin
• Insulin-like growth factor 1
• Androgens

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:

• menstruation

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How Do You Know If You Have Hormonal Acne

The first step to treating acne is to understand its underlying cause. Differentiating between the common acne vulgaris and hormonal acne can be confusing due to certain similarities in nature. Below mentioned are symptoms that are unique to hormonal acne and can help you understand your acne better.

1. Your acne persists beyond your adolescent years. Hormonal acne can suddenly appear after the age of 25 and last till the age of 50 or the pre-menopausal period.

2. Your pimple keeps occurring in the same spot.

3. Your acne is triggered during your pre-menstruation or menopausal period.

4. Your acne is aggravated by an increase in stress.

5. The acne condition follows a periodical cycle.

6. Acne triggered by the start or stop of oral contraceptives.

7. The condition is characterized by painful inflammatory acne located in the lower region of your face.

It is a myth that excess sexual activity can trigger hormonal acne. The fluctuation of your hormones have nothing to do with any kind of sexual activity that can lead to a skin condition.

What Is The Treatment Of Hormonal Acne

There are many treatments to take to clear up hormonal acne. From over the counter options, face washes or creams, DIY methods and doctor-prescribed medications, you can try out many different techniques to get rid of your acne.

For over the counter medications or face washes, try to include products and cleaners that include salicylic or glycolic acid. These ingredients stop bacteria and reduce inflammation.

If you go with the cream option, dermatologists recommend patients use topical retinoids. Retinoids can help rid your skin of dead skin cells that end up clogging your pores. And over time, these creams will help your skin stay clear. While you can find many of them over the counter, your doctor can prescribe a higher dose for more severe acne.

Some patients cure their acne problems with DIY or natural methods. Tea tree oil and alpha hydroxy acid are some of the best ways to fight hormonal acne organically. For more severe acne, contact your doctor or dermatologist.

If you are a woman, one of the medications a health specialist might recommend is birth control. Birth control balances out your hormones and clears your skin. However, not every woman can take oral contraceptives, and men cannot at all. So what can a doctor recommend? The next medication they can give you is anti-androgen drugs. Anti-androgen drugs suppress the male hormone androgen, which lowers oil production and secretion.

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What Are The Possible Side Effects

To reduce the risk of a woman developing serious side effects, dermatologists carefully screen their patients before prescribing hormonal therapy. Possible side effects include the following.

The pill. Taking the pill increases the risk of:

• Blood clots

• Heart attack

• High blood pressure

While these side effects may not seem worth the risk, most women who are healthy do not have side effects. In fact, the risk of developing blood clots is greater during pregnancy and just after having a baby than when taking the pill.

Its also important to know that there is less risk of serious side effects today than in past. Today, the pill contains less estrogen.

Some women taking the pill develop melasma, or dark patches on their face. Protecting your face from the sun can help prevent these patches.

Breakthrough bleeding is another possible side effect. You can often prevent this by taking the pill at the same time each day.

Acne and the pill

If you take the pill, you can reduce your risk of blood clots by staying active, drinking lots of water, and not smoking.

Spironolactone. When taking spironolactone without a birth control pill, the most common side effects are:

• Painful periods and cramping

• Breast enlargement

These side effects may be decreased when women also take the pill.

Other possible side effects of taking spironolactone include fatigue, headache, and dizziness. These rarely cause a woman to stop taking the medication.