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 – Swara Bhasker Breaks Acne Stereotypes, One Zit at a Time!
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 – 5 Incredible Benefits of Sugarcane Juice For Health And Skin
Hormonal acne is unavoidable but still controllable. You can use these home remedies and make your skin look better this season! Also Read – Skincare: Essential Tips to Protect Your Skin This Monsoon
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Hormonal Acne Isnt Normal
Everyone has occasional acne and blemishes. Breaking out when youre going through stressor even a few zits around your menstrual cyclecan all be 100% normal. But painful, chronic cystic acne as an adult is a result of hormonal imbalances, and its not normal or something you should have to live with.
But theres one big problem: the #1 prescribed solution for hormonal acne doesnt actually solve the problem.
Thats right, treating hormonal acne with the birth control pill doesnt actually solve the problem. There is a root cause of hormonal acne, and you can treat hormonal acne naturally. Once you know what is REALLY behind your hormonal acne, you can take steps toward healing it.
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.
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My Skin Story: How I Naturally Cleared My Acne
This post may contain affiliate links.
Ive struggled with acne for 13 years and have finally been able to clear my face and heal my body from within. Acne destroys your self-confidence and self-worth. It can be very discouraging if youve tried everything, but I promise with time and patience you can heal.
Menopause And Hormonal Acne
Entering menopause causes a normal, natural reduction in your bodys production of female reproductive hormones such as estrogen. For some women, this can lead to an increase in hormonal acne outbreaks.
Like hormonal acne for non-menopausal women, menopause-related hormonal acne is the result of fluctuations in your bodys hormone levels.
As your estrogen levels decrease, your balance of androgens to estrogenic hormones can cause your body to create more sebum.
If youre acne prone, this can lead to everything from a few occasional pimples to severe and regular acne outbreaks.
Menopausal hormonal acne can even occur if you use HRT to deal with the symptoms of aging.
HRTs use an artificial hormone, progestin, to replace estrogen and progesterone, which can cause your skin to go awry.
As always, if youre experiencing menopause-related hormonal acne, the best approach is to talk to your healthcare provider about retinoids, antibiotics and hormonal medications to limit outbreaks and control your bodys sebum production.
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Root Cause Of Hormonal Acne #: Excess Androgens
Any kind of hormone imbalance can potentially cause hormonal acne to flare up, but by far the most common imbalance that causes hormonal acne is excess androgens. In fact, excess androgens are the most common hormonal dysfunction in women of reproductive age.
Androgens are hormones that produce male traits and include testosterone and DHEA . Healthy women should have androgens in their body, but excess levels cause a lot of problems such as acne, unwanted hair growth, and thinning hair on the head.
Excess androgens are almost always present in PCOSPolycystic Ovarian Syndrome but there are other causes, including medications, genetic conditions, and tumors on the ovaries or adrenal glands.
Those causes of excess androgens are rare, but more common causes of excess androgens include excessive high-intensity exercise , prolonged stress, and undereating. Stress disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, causing it to produce higher quantities of the androgens DHEA and DHEA-S, which are then converted to testosterone.
Even in women without PCOS, excess androgens can be the root cause behind hormonal acne. Left untreated, excess androgens can cause long-term problems like infertility, heart disease, and diabetes. Excess androgens can also cause insulin resistance.
Use Neem Leaves To Get Rid Of Hormonal Acne On Forehead
Neem is an abundant source of antibacterial compounds. It is the ultimate solution to reduce acne that has been used widely even in commercial products.
How to use?
- Grind a few fresh leaves of neem in a blender
- Add water to form a paste
- Apply it on affected areas of your body.
- Let it stay for about twenty minutes
- Wash off with regular water
- Pat dry
Benefits of using Neem leaves
Neem not only kills the bacteria causing hormonal acne but also alleviates the inflammation and redness with its antimicrobial and soothing properties. The use of neem leaves can even cure the hormonal acne on the jawline.
Precaution
The smell of the plant is quite strong, and few people may be allergic to it. Make sure you choose wisely.
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Home Remedies To Treat Hormonal Acne
The National Institutes of Health provide some self-care tips for addressing acne that you can try at home, including:
- Avoid touching, picking, or squeezing lesions, which can lead to scarring
- Avoid sun tanning and sunburns, as acne medication may make you more susceptible to sunburns
- Choose cosmetics and hair products labeled oil-free and/or non-comedogenic
- Shampoo your hair frequently
- Shave gently, and reduce the frequency of shaving if possible
- Use a gentle skin cleanser and avoid rough scrub pads when washing your skin
Natural supplements including antioxidant vitamins, omega-3, and zinc may improve acne.
What Are The Symptoms Of Hormonal Acne
Hormonal acne is caused by hormonal fluctuations or hormonal imbalances.
Because females go through pretty significant hormonal changes on a monthly basis , it’s more common for adult women* to deal with acne breakouts than men.
*Editor’s note: Researchers surveyed women and men, ages 20 and older, in a 2007 study to find how many continued to be “plagued by acne well beyond the teenage years.” They found that after the teenage years, women were significantly more likely to experience acne in all age groups.
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Don’t Believe The Myths
There are many myths about what causes acne. Yet contrary to what you may have heard, acne is not caused by the following:
- A dirty face
- Foods like chocolate or French fries
- Masturbating, having sex, or the lack of either
It’s tough when you’re breaking out and your friends have clear skin, but it’s not your fault that you have acne. Acne is triggered by hormonal fluctuations during puberty, not by outside influences. Thanks to genetics, some people are just naturally more prone to developing pimples.
How To Get Rid Of Hormonal Acne
If you struggle with it, youve likely tried to find out how to fight hormonal acne. Certain hormonal medications, such as oral contraceptive pills , are a common treatment. However, they are limited to use in women and have been associated with certain health risks. While you should always discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider, weve outlined some dietary and lifestyle approaches to consider for hormonal acne.
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Aveeno Maximum Strength 1% Hydrocortisone Anti
Instead of spending money on cortisone shots to treat hormonal breakouts, investing in an ointment like Aveeno Maximum Strength 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream will help you decrease the size and redness of your cystic acne without a trip to dermatologist. Designed to soothe, this top-rated, cult-favorite acne remedy uses a blend of 1% hydrocortisone, aloe, vitamin E and the brands triple oat complex to reduce inflammation, soothe irritated skin and restore nourishing moisture.
Kypris Clearing Balance & Calm Serum
A must-have for battling breakouts and redness, the Kypris Clearing Balance & Calm Serum works with oily and acne-prone skin types to restore balance, regulate oil production, prevent congestion and reduce the appearance of breakouts and hyperpigmentation. Rich in antioxidants, amino acids and vitamin E thanks to its zinc, lilac leaf stem cells, tea tree oil and lavender-fortifed formula, it also prevents breakouts from forming while creating a brighter, more even complexion.
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Best Vitamins And Minerals For Hormonal Acne
A. Vitamin A
Topical medication containing Vitamin A is frequently used for the treatment of acne. Consuming Vitamin A improves the condition of your skin and is also beneficial in reducing inflammation caused by hormonal acne.
B. Vitamin B6
Studies have shown the positive effects of Vitamin B6 in regulating estrogen and testosterone levels in your body. Furthermore, including Vitamin B6 in your diet can help reduce the harmful effects of the DHT hormone that causes hormonal acne.
C. Vitamin B3
Niacin or Vitamin B3 is a great stress relieving hormone. If stress is causing you to develop hormonal acne then including Vitamin B3 in your diet can be beneficial. Vitamin B3 is also known for regulating excess sebum production and improving blood circulation which can prevent further development of hormonal acne.
D. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a well known antioxidant that strengthens the epidermal barrier and improves your overall skin condition. It is also known for balancing progesterone levels.
E. Magnesium
Magnesium is a good balancer of both estrogen and testosterone levels. This is why magnesium supplements are often included in hormonal acne diets.
F. Zinc
A deficiency in zinc can put your testosterone hormone levels in turmoil. It is also known for reducing inflammations and regulating oil secretion. Further it assists in healing hormonal acne by preventing the growth of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria.
G. Omega 3 Fatty Acids
The Last Word
Peach & Lily Pore Proof Perfecting Clay Mask
A clay mask that delivers powerful purifying results without stripping or overdrying the skin, the Peach & Lily Pore Proof Perfecting Clay Mask performs a deep, exfoliating cleanse of the skin to remove impurities and dead skin cells and refine the look of pores. Created with dry, sensitive skin types in mind as well as oily and acne-prone skin, this top-rated face mask relieves clogged pores, detoxifies the skin, reduces inflammation and soothes irritated skin using a blend of bentonite and kaolin clays, plus wild cherry extract, glycerin, Centella Asiatica extract, licorice root extract and strawberry extracts.
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Identifying The Root Problem Is Important
Without identifying the main reason for the problem, it might not be possible to stop hormonal acne or acne caused by other factors. In many cases hormones may not be the problem. It could because of certain food habits or the way in which we clean and maintain our body. If the food habits are changed and more importance is paid to personal hygiene it would perhaps help you overcome the problem of acne and pimples. In such cases hormonal treatment may not be necessary. Identifying your skin type is the first step it might be that you are using the wrong type of skin cleanser for your skin. You can check out some holy grail cleansers for different skin types.
If it does not yield the desired results then it would be advisable to go in for tests to find out more about the hormonal imbalances which is causing the problem. Only then the right treatment methods and approaches can be found out. However, whether it is caused by hormones or other factors when it comes to treating acne symptomatically, going in for natural ways and means Is always a better choice. So, we will have a look at 10 natural options for controlling or even getting rid of acne, apart from choosing the right hormonal acne diet.
Signs You’re Dealing With Hormonal Acneand How To Treat It
Ah, hormonal acnethose pesky, painful, and unpleasant pimples that show up at the worst times imaginable . Werent you supposed to shake off acne in your teen years?
Sadly, notespecially if youre battling bouts of hormonal acne, which most commonly appears in adult women ages 20 to 40. And even the post-40 crowd is not in the clear, New York City-based dermatologist Cherise M. Levi, M.D., tells SELF. There can be a resurgence of breakouts around menopause due to hormonal fluctuations in the body.
How can you tell if youre dealing with hormonal acne versus run-of-the-mill acne? Dermatologists use a few key characteristics to pinpoint if a pimple is hormonal. Keep reading to learn how to spot hormonal breakouts, plus six expert-approved hormonal acne treatments.
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Increase Alkaline Foods And Decrease Acidic Foods:
Meat-based proteins coffee, alcohol, sugar and processed grains all foods that are a big part of the typical American dietare acid-forming in the system. This leads to a condition called acidosis. Acidosis is the technical term for over-acidification. The main symptom of acidosis is fatigue.
Other symptoms include loss of enthusiasm for life, loss of sex drive, poor sleep quality, depression and tiring quickly both mentally and physically. Advanced stage symptoms of acidosis include sensitivity to cold, low blood pressure, hypo or hyperthyroid and low blood sugar.
These symptoms are caused because the main minerals that are required to nourish the nervous system, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, are the very same minerals that the body uses to neutralize acids!
Studies show that alkaline foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains help neutralize these acids Just by eating more fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains in replace of meat, sugar and other processed foods you will not believe how amazing you feel in just a few days!
Mixed Berry Pomegranate Popsicles
Source: Mixed Berry Pomegranate Popsicles
Berries definitely make the list of acne-fighting plant-based foods! Their color gives away a high antioxidant content, plus berries are filled with vitamin A, E, and C. This Mixed Berry Pomegranate Popsicles recipe by Sabrina Estafo calls on all the acne-fighting resources of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and is naturally sweetened with pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and a bit of maple syrup.
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What Causes Hormonal Acne And Why Am I Experiencing It
Hormone imbalances are the primary cause of hormonal acne flare-ups. Hormonal acne can be triggered by menstrual cycles, menopause, and even your birth control pills and hormones coated IUDs. Using the wrong skincare, eating the wrong foods, and stress can affect our hormones and cause more acne.
Androgen hormones are referred to as “male hormones,” but they are present in males and females. The most well-known androgens are testosterone and dihydrotestosterone Research has shown that there are androgen receptors in the base of the oil gland that lines pores, so if there are high testosterone levels in the body, they are more likely to bind to these receptors. More oil means more acne-causing bacteria more acne-causing bacteria means more blockages and breakouts.
Roasted Red Pepper And Tomato Soup
Source: Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup
Loading up on those antioxidant-packed, vitamin A, red, yellow, and orange veggies is a great way to help fight acne by protecting your skin from free radicals. This Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup recipe by Kristina Jug & Mita Bezensek is absolutely packed with antioxidants from red bell peppers, tomatoes, and cherry tomatoes.
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Farmacy Deep Sweep 2% Bha Pore Cleaning Toner
Free of alcohol and other skin-stripping ingredients that irritate sensitive, acne-prone skin types, the Farmacy Deep Sweep 2% BHA Pore Cleaning Toner uses clarifying salicylic acid to remove all traces of impurities and oil from the pores to treat and prevent breakouts from forming. This top-rated toner also brightens and smooths your skin using an antioxidant-rich and nourishing blend of purifying moringa and soothing chlorella.
Take An Oral Antibiotic Or Medication
While topicals can be great, they are limited in how much work they can do when it comes to breakouts. Antibiotics are ingested, circulating through the body and targeting the root cause of breakouts: the sebaceous glands. “Trying a different combined oral contraceptive pill may also help, as can oral antibiotics or a medication called spironolactone, which has been used off-label for years to help treat hormonal acne in adult women,” says Granite.
Other commonly prescribed antibiotics for acne include doxycycline and erythromycin, which are meant to help lessen inflammation and therefore breakouts. It’s worth noting that antibiotics can lead to resistance, so they shouldn’t be used forever, and some people might develop side effects as a result of adding them to their routine. They can also be used in conjunction with topical products, such as retinol or benzoyl peroxide, or alongside procedures like light and laser therapy as well as chemical peels.
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