Hormonal Changes and Acne: Tips and Recommendations to Overcome It

Hormonal Changes and Acne: Tips and Recommendations to Overcome It

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Acne is a most common skin condition also called Acne Vulgaris and it may target any individual irrespective of age. Acne is quite a common issue and it affects the skin causing blocked pores, pimples, etc. Acne can arise due to multiple factors and the most common among them is hormonal changes which generally happen during puberty but may affect adults as well. Acne can occur in early teenage and continue up to the 30s, 40s, or even beyond that. Many times this acne caused by hormonal imbalance can be disturbing but if it is dealt with right set of precautions and effective skincare routine then it can be managed very efficiently. In this blog, we will identify more on the cause of hormonal imbalance, how to deal with it, and acknowledge some great skincare regimes and prevention tips and tricks to get clear, picture-perfect skin.

Unfolding the Mystery: What Exactly Causes Hormonal Acne

Hormonal acne is closely associated with fluctuating hormone levels and these are primarily caused by hormones triggered by androgens such as testosterone. Moreover, these hormones secrete more sebum causing clogged pores and ultimately resulting in acne. These hormonal changes can occur due to lifestyle changes, and genetic disorders, and in women, these hormonal changes are very much visible at distinct phases like  Mensuration, Pregnancy, Menopause, and PCOS. However, majorly women experience more acne issues but men can also have acne due to an imbalance in testosterone levels. Acne can pop up anywhere around the face such as the chin, jawline, neck, or other areas.

Hormonal Acne: Major Symptoms To Watch For Timely Help

Hormonal Acne

Hormonal imbalance is simply triggered due to fluctuations in the hormone levels causing breakouts. Proper analysis and understanding of the symptoms is crucial for correct evaluation and effective treatment. A few common symptoms are:

  • Tracing the specific location of the Acne: The first and foremost step is tracing the exact location where the acne has broken out. Generally, acne appears in the following specific areas:
    • Chin and Jawline: Acne or breakouts around the chin and jawline are quite common and also these areas are more sensitive to hormonal fluctuations.
    • Neck: Acne can appear around the neck area in some more severe cases.
    • Cheeks: Cheeks are also affected by hormonal imbalance and acne can occur here as well.
  • Cystic Lesions: Hormonal acne can be very deep and painful and these may be result in the following
    • Large and inflated: Hormonal acne is more severe and they are large, red, cysts under the skin.
    • Sensitive to the touch: These cysts are very painful and sensitive to touch especially when pressed.
    • Long-lasting: Cystic acne usually takes a longer time to heal and can also leave scars if not treated properly.
  • Excess Oil Secretion: Hormonal acne is related to excess oil production. Some common signs include
    • More Sebum Production: Skin releases more oil mainly in the T-zone i.e. forehead, nose, and chin.
    • Greasy Texture: Excess oil will give a more greasy texture making the skin more clogged and generating breakouts. 
  • Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: Once the acne heals it leaves behind dark spots or patches which are called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
    • Dark spots: These spots are dark in color and they can be either red, blue or brown based on skin tone.
    • Slow Fading: Marks of hormonal acne can take weeks or months to fade if proper care is not given to it. 
  • Other Hormonal Issues: Hormonal acne occurs with some other hormonal issues as well like:
    • Irregular periods: Women facing hormonal acne may also experience irregular menstrual cycles, heavy periods, or even PMS.
    • Hirsutism: Some women experience heavy facial hair along with hormonal acne due to an increase in androgen levels. 

Deal Hormonal Acne in a Natural Way: No Chemicals, Just flawless Skin as End Result

Deal Hormonal Acne in a Natural Way

These days there are ample options available like counter treatments and supplements to treat acne but still treating these through some natural remedies helps for long-lasting results and less damage to the skin. Some remedies to handle these hormonal acne are as follows:

  • Follow and Maintain a Healthy Diet: Diet is the main element in dealing with hormonal acne. It is always advisable to avoid processed food, dairy products, and sugary items and consume more nutrient-rich food to avoid hormonal acne.
    Foods that can be incorporated are:
    • Green-leafy Veggies: Consuming spinach, beans, kale, etc helps to detoxify the body and minimize inflammation.
    • Omega-3: Including fish, flaxseeds, nuts and reduces inflammation and maintains a balance among hormones.
    • Probiotics: Yogurt, kefir, and some other fermented food items improve the overall gut health and minimize acne.
  • Going Herbal: Herbs are been part of our lives for centuries and including them will not only balance hormones but also help to maintain overall health.
    A few herbs that help in reducing acne are:
    • Chasteberry: Helps in the menstrual cycle and managing the progesterone levels to reduce or minimize acne.
    • Spearmint Tea: Consuming spearmint tea regularly will minimize androgen levels and decrease acne sensitivity. 
    • Turmeric: It is considered to be as anti-inflammatory as it reduces the redness of acne and other inflammations.
  • Handling Stress Mindfully: Stress is the main culprit or trigger for hormonal acne as it produces cortisol which is a stress hormone. Cortisol increases oil production which harpers the acne a lot. To manage stress practicing some natural techniques are very essential and a few of them are as follows:
    1. Performing yoga or mediation
    2. Regular Excercise
    3. Getting enough sleep
  • Adapting Natural Skincare Routine: Handling the skin is very crucial if dealing with hormonal acne. It is always advisable to go with gentle, and natural ingredients that manage the skin, balance the oil, and reduce the inflammation.
    Some skincare habits for acne-free skin:
    • Gently cleanse the skin with some natural products like tea tree oil, aloe vera, etc.
    • Use oil-free moisturizers to avoid skin clogging and better results.
    • Regularly exfoliate with some very gentle acids like salicylic or lactic acid which prevents dead skin and opens the clogged pores. 
  • Stay Hydrated: Drinking sufficient water is very important to flush out all the toxins from the body. Being hydrated helps the skin and overall health of the individual.
    A few tips for staying hydrated:
    • Drinking enough water close to 8 glasses to keep body and skin hydrated.
    • Consuming some herbal teas like green tea can balance the hormones.
  • Preferring Natural Face Masks: Going the natural way is always the best. Applying some natural face masks will add more benefits to the skin and reduce acne and inflammation. A few ingredients like honey, clay, turmeric tend to be very effective as they have antibacterial and anti-inflamtory properties.
    Some natural DIY Mask for Acne:
    • Honey and Cinnamon Mask
    • Clay Mask
    • Turmeric Mask

Acne Effective Remedies: What Actually Works?

Acne Effective Remedies

Many treatments are available in the market for dealing with acne but it may not be ideal for all. A few options are:

  • Over-the-counter treatments: Using products that contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and retinoids will help to deal with mild acne.
  • Prescribed Medications: For extreme cases prescribed medicines such as oral contraceptives, and antibiotics are mandatory.
  • Hormonal Treatment: Birth control pills like spironolactone can help to regulate the hormones and minimize acne.
  • Going Natural Way: NAtural treatments with ingredients like tea tree oil, green tea, etc can help in reducing acne, and making lifestyle and dietary changes will also make a huge difference.

Goodbye to Breakouts: Essential Tips and Tricks for Acne-Free Complexion

Goodbye to Breakouts

Preventing hormonal acne together may not be possible but following a consistent regime will help in preventing or minimizing the acne and will reduce the severity of the acne as well.

  • Some of the steps to follow for healthy and acne-free skin are as follows:
    • Wash and clean the face at regular intervals.
    • Always opt for non-comedogenic products 
    • Moisturize the skin at regular intervals
    • Follow a healthy diet
    • Stay Hydrated 
    • Try to get enough sleep
    • Exfoliate very gently at regular intervals
    • Go for Acne Treatments if it is severe.

Transform Your Skin: Best Skincare Routine for Hormonal Breakouts

Following effective skincare ensures balance the oil production by reducing inflammation and opening the clogged pores. Hormonal acne mainly occurs in the areas like face, chin, and jawline and it needs to be treated very gently for effective results.

  • Routine to Follow on Daily Basis:
    • Cleanser
      • Use a non-comedogenic cleanser to remove extra oil without hampering the skin's natural moisture.
      • Apply ingredients like salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide to handle the target acne effectively.
      FCL Alpha Beta Cleanser is a soap-free formulation specially designed to navigate acne and acne-related problems. This dermatologically-approved solution quickly dissolves excess oil, skin impurities, and makeup that can clog skin pores. It reduces comedones and pimples and regulates sebum production.
      Key Ingredients: 2% Salicylic Acid, 1% Glycolic Acid, Multrifruit BSC, and Vanilla Extract
    • Toner
      • Toner helps to maintain skin pH value 
    • Serum
      • Apply serum that has niacinamide which reduces the redness and regulates the oil production properly.
      FCL Alpha Beta Acne Gel: A pore-refining facial gel for the treatment of acne. Helps to exfoliate dead skin cells and unclogs the skin's pores. By regulating skin oil production, it helps prevent new acne breakouts.
      SKIN CONCERN: Key Ingredients: 2% Salicylic Acid, 6% Glycolic Acid, Multrifruit Natural AHA, and Tea Tree Oil
    • Moisturizer
      Use very lightweight oil-free moisturizers that hydrate the skin and open all the pores
    • Apply Sunscreen
      • Look for broad-spectrum sunscreen which has SPF 30 to protect the skin from UV damage.
      • Better to opt for mineral-based sunscreen if you have very sensitive skin or acne-prone skin.
      FCL Chemfree SPF 50 Physical Sunscreen is a non-nano physical sunscreen, provides broad-spectrum protection against both UVA & UVB rays. It contains physical blockers such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
  • Weekly Routine
    • Clay Mask
      • Use a clay mask once a week to absorb all the extra oil and reduce the inflammation.
      FCL PBA Mask is an advanced skin-brightening formula that combines potent ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Kojic Acid, Red Clay, and Salicylic Acid to reduce pigmentation and even out skin tone.
    • Use hydrating Mask
      • Once a week use a hydrating mask to keep the skin nourished and healthy and mainly if any acne treatments are been undergoing.
        • FCL Hydrating mask delivers high benefits to dry skin. Infused with the right ingredients, this mask is not just an indulgent treat – it also tackles key skin concerns and conditions, from dryness and dehydration to large pores and acne. Best suited for people who have dry skin and avoid applying heavy moisturizers to their skin.

Conclusion

Dealing with acne because of hormonal imbalance can be very frustrating but if it is channelized in the right approach it can be managed well. Balancing the hormones naturally following an effective skincare routine and undergoing any treatment will help in effectively managing the skin and combat hormonal acne. Hormonal acne is a common issue but it is not a lifelong concern, so following the correct approach will automatically help you to get more clearer and radiant skin.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What causes hormonal acne, and how to identify it?
    Hormonal acne is caused by fluctuating hormones as it may occur during puberty, mensuration, pregnancy, and menopause. It is triggered by an increase in androgens and produces more oil.
  2. How can I treat hormonal acne naturally?
    Hormonal acne can be treated well naturally by making a lifestyle change like following a healthy diet, stress management, and performing regular exercise.
  3. What can I do to prevent hormonal acne breakout?
    To prevent or minimize the hormonal breakout needs to focus more on the skincare routine comprised of cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing. Also, ensure to do regular exercise, consume balanced food, and manage stress levels to handle hormones effectively.