Track Record You Can Trust
We launched our first supplement kit, Balance, in 2017. Since then, thousands of women have used Balance to reclaim their hormonal health. Weve waited this long to launch our next supplement line to be sure it is exactly right, and what women need.
Were dedicated to helping you make taking care of your hormones easy, from your first period to your last.
Stop The Spot Before It Starts
The best offense is a good defense, so you need to pay extra special attention to your skincare routine during this week of your cycle.
Firstly, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! The spike in testosterone and dip in estrogen can leave your skin dehydrated yes, and oily too hello, combination skin! so make sure youre drinking your half gallon of water a day.
Next, brush up on the correct order to use your skincare products. In particular, remember to use a cleanser with salicylic acid the week prior to your period, as this acne-busting ingredient helps to remove excess oil and give your pores a deep clean.
And, of course, if you can see or feel a pimple starting to form, go ahead and start treating it with your ESPADA the blue light therapy will combat the bacteria thats forming.
Dont Underestimate Natures Healing Power
As you can see, I am very passionate about the topic of hormonal acne because it is often not discussed by mainstream skincare professionals when treating blemished skin.
Although there are wonderful topical products on the market , addressing hormones is a huge component for achieving lifelong clear skin. Not only have I successfully done this for myself, thousands of NAC clients have as well, and so can you. Let us show you how!
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The Best Ways To Treat And Prevent Hormonal Acne
There are several different treatment options that can help you get rid of hormonal acne, but you should start by talking to a dermatologist about how best to tackle your breakouts, especially if you’re experiencing cystic, inflammatory acne. Your derm can help come up with a plan that works specifically for your needs. Note that while over-the-counter acne products can be especially effective if you’re only dealing with mild breakouts, when it comes to cystic acne , it’s likely you’ll need to incorporate prescription-strength acne products and oral medications into your routine, in addition to certain lifestyle changes. But whatever course you take, note that consistency and patience is key.
Here are some additional potential solutions your dermatologist may discuss with you:
What Gets Rid Of Hormonal Acne
Before you get downtrodden about the finicky nature of hormonal acne, remember that its pesky, but perfectly normal. So normal, in fact, that there are many methods to help treat it.
Most people with hormonal acne have tried over-the-counter treatments to no avail. If they arent working for you, you may need to seek the help of a dermatologist, who can offer prescription hormonal acne treatments. In general, its a good idea to see your dermatologist if you have deep or cystic pimples, because they could be a marker of something more serious, such as a thyroid condition or abnormal hormone levels, says Dr. Jegasothy.
If youve stumbled across natural treatments for hormonal acne, like using certain essential oils or other home remedies, Dr. Rodney says theyre not really legitand can sometimes make the situation worse. She recommends trying one of the hormonal acne medications or treatments listed below instead:
The hormonal acne treatment pyramid starts with good over-the-counter cleansers. When choosing yours, look for alpha7 or beta hydroxy acids, such as glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acids8. As you wash your face, each of these ingredients helps exfoliate the skin by unclogging pores to varying degrees of intensity. Finding the right kind that works for you might take some careful experimentation, but the La-Roche Posay Effaclar Medicated Cleanser and the Paulas Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser are two derm-approved face washes for acne-prone skin.
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How To Treat Hormonal Acne Naturally
In some cases, plant-based treatment options may be used to clear up mild hormonal acne.
Natural treatments are usually free of the side effects sometimes caused by prescription options. But they may not be as effective. Research on natural options is lacking, and at this time nothing has been proven to produce results. Talk with your doctor about potential risks and to ensure the treatment wont interact with any medications youre taking.
Limit Stress To Reduce Inflammation
Ever heard of a stress zit? Being on edge is not only bad for your mindset but also aggravates your skin. “Stress triggers the release of a variety of hormones that can trigger an inflammatory response in the body,” says Fenton. “Inflammation is a major part of acnethat’s what leads to those large and deep red cystic pimples. Anything you can do to reduce inflammation will be helpful for your acne.”
Staying hydrated and reducing stress are things that are often overlooked in regards to skincare, Henry adds. “Exercise helps nourish skin cells and keep them healthy,” she explains because it increases blood flow.
When it comes to lifestyle adjustments, Kimberly Snyder, a holistic nutritionist, says to make sleep a priority: “Sleep fights stress and helps your body and hormonal systems function.” Additionally, she recommends upping your water intake dry brushing exercising to help manage and relieve stress and staying on top of gut health, by incorporating a quality probiotic.
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What You Need To Know About Hormonal Acne
Medically reviewed by Aimee Paik, MD
Hormonal acne can affect people of all ages. Movies, TV shows, and books often use acne as a marker of puberty or a source of stress for our fair teenage hero. The narrative around acne is so strongly tied to our teenage years, many of us expect it to disappear on its own once we hit our twenties, only to be disappointed. On the other hand, others may have clear skin throughout high school and experience breakouts for the first time during college or beyond. Whatever the case may be, figuring out your acne can be annoying, painful, and expensive. But we do know one of the most common culprits of adult acne: hormones.
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Where Are Your Pimples Popping Up
We often think of the T-zone as the main area for acne breakout, since the forehead, nose and chin are notorious for pumping out lots of sebum in acne-prone skin. But there are other areas of the face that experience acne breakouts. And where those breakouts occur may shed light on the source of the problem.
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Start A Consistent Skincare Routine
According to Dr. Hartman, the best place to start dealing with and preventing hormonal acne is to wash your face one to two times daily with an acne face wash, refrain from harsh scrubbing and avoid picking or popping pimples. “Also, keep your hair clean and try to avoid touching your face unnecessarily,” he adds.
Any effective acne skincare routine starts with gently washing your face. You can use a cleanser that contains an acne-fighting ingredient, or opt for a gentle foaming cleanser followed by a separate topical treatment. Cleansers containing exfoliating ingredients such as salicylic acid or lactic acid will help to exfoliate skin and prevent clogged pores, and are best for those experiencing mild whiteheads or blackheads face washes with benzoyl peroxide target surface bacteria and are best for red, inflammatory acne. When it comes to benzoyl peroxide cleansers, Dr. Zeichner recommends products with 10% concentration “because they sit on the skin for only a short period of time, a higher concentration gives a better chance of penetration into the follicles before it is washed off of the skin.”
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
How & Why Do Hormones Cause Acne
Acne develops when the excess sebum or oil clogs the pores of the skin and get infected by bacteria. The surface layer of the skin has pores through which the hair follicles grow, the dead cells are discharged and the oil or sebum comes out. When the oil becomes excess, the dead cells and the hair follicles get trapped with the oil forming the plug. The P. acne bacteria then attack the skin causing the inflammation and redness along with spreading the infection. The sebum level in the sebaceous glands increases when we hit puberty due to the hormones like androgen, testosterone and oestrogen.
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Practical Tips For People With Acne
Self-care advice for acne may help with the problem, or avoid making it worse.
Tips include:
- where possible, avoiding environments with high humidity that cause excessive sweating
Over-washing is not good for acne.
Too much washing and scrubbing can remove oil from the skin and irritate it more. The skin can respond by producing more oil and so worsening the acne.
Acne is treated according to severity. Mild acne can be treated with over-the-counter products as well as with medicines offered by doctors.
There is no quick-fix treatment for acne. All treatments take weeks to show effect.
What Are The Causes Of Hormonal Acne
Hormonal acne is essentially caused by fluctuations in hormone levels. The hormones that influence hormonal acne are estrogen and progesterone , testosterone , and cortisol .
The causative hormonal changes typically occur around the time of your menstrual period, when you start or stop using hormonal birth control, during or after pregnancy, and during perimenopause and menopause. Less commonly, it can be triggered by certain medical conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome . Genetics also play a role in hormonal acne one study found that 67% of women in the study group with hormonal adult acne had an acne family history.
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Take A Look At Your Food
I knowthis is nobodys favorite topic. But if your meals currently consist of pizza and cookies and shredded cheddar cheese straight from the bag, all washed down with multiple glasses of wine, you should know youre not exactly helping your hormonal acne situation. The sugar found in sweets can actually spike acne-causing hormones, Dr. Zeichner has said. Think: a spike in insulin, which can cause a hormonal cascade that leads to inflammation and breakouts.
Same thing goes for dairy: Dairy has been shown to have an effect on testosterone levels, according to studies, which can trigger excess oil production that leads to hormonal acne. If you wanna see if your favorite foods are making hormonal acne worse, cut out all dairy and significantly reduce your alcohol, sugar, and refined carbohydrate intake for two full weeks to see if your skin seems at all calmer.
Glycolic Acid Face Wash
Glycolic acid is another excellent exfoliant when incorporated into a skincare routine. Glycolic acid can help to reveal brighter layers of skin underneath lingering dead skin cells along the surface, and it can help to make the skin feel firmer. Glycolic acid not only helps to reduce clogged pores and zits but also can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Glycolic acid and Salicylic acid are both favored by Dr. Green in her MGSKINLABs acne treatment, and glycolic acid can also be used as an active ingredient in chemical peels to reduce the appearance of acne and inflammation on the skin.
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Whats The Difference Between A Boil And A Pimple
Boils are pus-filled bumps that develop deep in your skin. They usually begin as discolored bumps, which quickly increase in size and fill with pus. The bacteria Staphylococcus aureus causes boils and staph infections.
The following tips can help you tell the difference between a boil and a pimple:
- Boils dont respond to typical pimple treatments.
- Boils usually form around cuts or scratches on your skin.
- Pimples arent usually as painful as boils.
How The Menstrual Cycle Affects Acne
Susan Bard, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
It seems to happen every month, like clockwork. Your skin appears to be clearing up nicely when suddenly it begins erupting in breakouts again, just around the time of your period. Could you be imagining it, or is premenstrual acne a real phenomenon?
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Get Period Pimples Heres How To Deal With Hormonal Acne Breakouts
Do you find yourself breaking out at the same time every month?
It may be because of your hormone cycle. Yes, while the burst of new hormones that cause your teen breakouts may have subsided, that doesnt mean that theyre done wreaking havoc on your face. But, it also doesnt mean you cant fight it!
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.
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How Do I Get Rid Of Acne Papules
Nonprescription medications can get rid of milder cases of papules. Some medications include:
- Azelaic acid: This is a natural acid found in various grains such as barley, wheat and rye. It kills microorganisms on your skin and reduces swelling.
- Benzoyl peroxide: This is available as an over-the-counter product as a leave-on gel or as a wash. It targets surface bacteria, which often aggravate papules. Lower concentrations and wash formulations are less irritating to your skin. Irritation is a common side effect.
- Retinoids : Retinoids, such as Retin-A®, Tazorac® and Differin® , break up papules and help prevent clogged pores. You may notice a change in skin color, drying or peeling. Using a retinoid every other day or using it at the same time as a moisturizer can reduce these side effects.
- Salicylic acid: This is available over-the-counter for papules as a cleanser or lotion. It helps remove the top layer of damaged skin. Salicylic acid dissolves dead skin cells to prevent your hair follicles from clogging.
If your acne papules dont go away with nonprescription medications, your healthcare provider may recommend the following prescription medications:
Why Do Androgens Cause Hormonal Acne
For the majority of women, hormonal acne occurs because their skin is sensitive to the normal levels of androgens like Testosterone.
Although considered to be a male hormone, it is normal for women to produce small amounts of Testosterone. Testosterone is an important hormone for women as it helps strengthen bones and muscles, provides a healthy libido and regulates the menstrual cycle. Androgens are the name for male hormones. Women produce other androgens as well as Testosterone. These are dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate , dehydroepiandrosterone , androstenedione . These three androgens are not very active by themselves and have to be converted to Testosterone or Dihydrotestosterone first.
Testosterone is produced by the ovaries and the adrenal glands. However, cells in the skin also make Testosterone from DHEAS. Skin cells, especially the cells in the sebaceous glands, also make DHT from Testosterone.
Hormonal acne also occurs when there are conditions in which too many androgens are produced such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
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Try An Oral Contraceptive To Balance Hormones
If you’re comfortable and if a gynecologist says you’re a good candidate, oral contraceptives can help balance out your hormones, including those that are responsible for acne. Zeichner says that the best prescription options for hormonal acne are birth control pills and Spironolactone . Birth control pills help regulate your hormones and decrease testosterone levels, which can mean fewer hormone-induced breakouts. Zeichner notes the four birth control pills currently approved for acne: Yaz, Beyaz, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and EstroStep.
Another option is the aforementioned Spironolactone. Though not specifically designed to treat acne, it is often used for exactly that purpose because it prevents testosterone from stimulating the oil glands: “Less oil means less shine, fewer clogged pores, and less food to feed acne-causing bacteria,” Zeichner explains.
“Certain oral contraceptives have even been approved by the FDA to be used in the treatment of acne,” explains Fenton. “If you are already on birth control or thinking of going on it, make sure to ask your gynecologist for an oral contraceptive that will also help your acne.”
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!
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