Take Your Vitamins And Herbs
While hormonal acne is stubborn, there are some easy strategies you can take to balance hormones for acne relief naturally and it starts with vitamins and herbs.
Vitex for Acne
In women, hormonal acne typically manifests along the jawline and chin. If this sounds familiar, taking Vitex for acne may be a successful treatment.
Vitex agnus castus, also known as Chasteberry, is a womans herb thats been traditionally used for hormonal imbalances. Its been used for menstrual symptoms of low progesterone in the luteal phase . These symptoms include depression, crying, mood swings, acne, nervousness and anxiety.
Vitex has also been used as a natural remedy for treating such symptoms of high estrogen levels as pain, tender breasts, bloating and heavy periods.
Current research shows that Vitex can support healthy hormone levels and relieve pre-menstrual symptoms. It can also be an effective natural hormonal acne treatment.
How does Vitex for Acne Work?
The Vitex herbs act upon the pituitary and hypothalamus glands by increasing luteinizing hormone production and mildly inhibiting the release of follicle-stimulating hormone . This results in a shift in the ratio of estrogen to progesterone, with a rise in progesterone. The ability of the Vitex to increase progesterone levels is an indirect effect.
Vitex itself is not a hormone, but rather an herb that helps the body balance natural estrogen and progesterone. By balancing the estrogen, the androgens then come into balance as well.
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!
Try Cutting Out Dairy And Whey Protein
Its postulated that milk and dairy products promote insulin secretion and the production of hormones, such as IGF-1, which is known to be a major contributor to acne development .
A review of 14 studies that included 78,529 children and adults aged 730 found that the intake of any dairy products, including milk, cheese, and yogurt regardless of the frequency or amount was associated with a greater risk of acne .
Another review of 9 studies in 71,819 people showed that people who drank milk were 16% more likely to have acne than those who did not .
Similarly, research indicates that consuming whey protein a milk-derived protein may be associated with acne.
One 2-month study in 30 people aged 1845 observed that the use of whey protein was linked to the onset of acne (
26 ).
Filling your plate with colorful vegetables and fruits is another way to tame inflammation and reduce acne symptoms. These foods deliver anti-inflammatory antioxidants and other vital skin-supportive nutrients, such as vitamin C, to your body .
Considering that acne is closely linked to Western diets high in processed foods, choosing whole foods and limiting or avoiding highly refined products is important when trying to treat your acne through diet .
Summary
Controlling blood sugar, limiting or cutting out dairy and whey protein, and following a whole-food-based, nutrient-dense diet are some of the best ways to treat your acne naturally.
Therefore, its best to eat whole, nutritious foods.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Acne Scars On Arms
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 to flush out toxins dry brushing, which is great for detoxication exercising to help manage and relieve stress and staying on top of gut health, by incorporating a quality probiotic.
How To Treat Hormonal Acne From The Inside Out
Theres clearly more to the hormone balance story than most of us have ever been taught. Based on what we know about the root causes associated with acne, I use the following steps to treat hormonal acne from the inside out. This approach supports the bodys natural ability to balance hormones, reduces inflammation by removing dietary and environmental triggers , supports the bodys natural detoxification process, and focuses on specific herbs and supplements that can provide additional support.
Step 1. Eat for Skin Health
The goals of eating for skin health are to
- balance your blood sugar to reduce insulin resistance,
- eliminate excess inflammation, and
- supply your body with the nutrients and important phytochemicals your body needs for skin health and hormone balance.
The healthiest diet for this is based on a Mediterranean-style of eating that emphasizes plenty of daily whole fresh foods, vegetables, fruits , balanced amounts of protein from fish and legumes, and healthy fats like those in fish, olive oil, and avocados, and slow-burning carbs from whole grains.
In my practice, I usually start my patients out with a 12-week elimination diet to identify any personal triggers, while they are following these dietary and nutritional recommendations:
Step 2: Remove Endocrine Disruptors
Step 3: Support Gut Health
GI symptoms are 37% more likely for those with acne and may play a role in acne in many more women than that.
Step 4. Support Natural Detoxification
Don’t Miss: How I Get Rid Of My Back Acne
How To Use Flaxseed Meal
A great way to include flaxseed meal is in a smoothie or you can sprinkle it on your breakfast or include it on a salad for example. You need to grind the flaxseed meal. If youre having whole flaxseeds, whilst that will help control the amount of bowel movements youre having you wont absorb any of the beneficial phytoestrogens or any of the essential fatty acids from the whole flaxseeds so you need to grind it.
The best thing you can do is buy a packet of whole linseeds from the supermarket and just grind enough to last you for a week and store it in a glass food storage container in the fridge. That way it will keep the ground linseeds really fresh. Linseeds contain high levels of essential fatty acids which means they will oxidise quickly. You want to make sure that your store them in the fridge and that theyre fresh when you eat them.
So thats tip number one, we want to really keep the bowel movement happening.
The Underling Causes Of Hormonal Acne
As common as hormonal acne is, surprisingly, doctors and scientists will say we still arent entirely clear what causes it. But if you spend even just a little time in the medical literature, there’s quite a lot we can learn. Following are the main factors thought to cause or contribute to hormonal acne.
Androgens: Hormonal acne is definitely tied to monthly hormonal fluctuations, explaining why 83% of women with acne experience a premenstrual flare. Androgens are a class of hormones that include testosterone, which like men, women also produce, just typically in lesser amounts. Some women, however, either produce excess testosterone, or are more sensitive to even normal amounts. A major theory is that increased androgen production premenstrually causes increased sebum production leading to acne. Women with elevated testosterone have a higher rate of converting testosterone to a more potent androgen, dihydrotestosterone , which is associated with sebum production and therefore, potentially, acne. Even women with normal androgen levels can have androgen-caused acne due to increased androgen sensitivity. The most common cause of elevated androgens or heightened androgen sensitivity is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome , which many women dont know they have. Even women without PCOS, and who have normal androgen levels when measured, may be more sensitive to androgens and as a result, more prone to acne.
Don’t Miss: How To Stop Chest Acne
Does Touching Your Face Cause Chin Acne
Touching and picking at your skin is a common cause of facial acneespecially chin acne, where we may rest our hands or impulsively touch! If you have chin acne, avoid touching this area of your face at all costs! The trauma to the upper skin layers reducing its barrier function and makes you more susceptible to acne breakouts and acne scars.
To find the right acne treatments for your unique skin, take the free skin assessment by .
Recomended Read
One: Understand That Hormonal Acne Is An Inside Job
The root causes of acne start deep within your body. They dont start at the level of the skin. That means that any changes you make to your skin care routine will only help so much and, if you do nothing else, the root causes of your acne will smolder on. So your first step in easing hormonal acne is shifting your mindset. You can only truly address hormonal acne by understanding it for what it is a condition with internal root causes and then using food, supplement, and lifestyle strategies to address those root causes.
You May Like: How To Get Rid Of Acne On My Breast
What Else Can You Do When You Have Hormonal Acne
Follow a low glycemic diet, low dairy diet.
Research suggests that dietary factors such as insulin levels and glycemic index may be tied with acne breakouts and blemishes. Eating foods with a high glycemic index will quickly raise your blood sugar, causing a spike in insulin. This spike will trigger several hormonal reactions that will likely increase sebum production, leading to pimples and other skin woes. Foods with a high GI include processed foods like:
- Sugary soft drinks
- Candy
Reduce stress
Stress causes an increase in cortisol – also called the stress hormone. Cortisol affects the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum – leading to more acne breakouts.
Incorporate probiotics into your daily diet
Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed, generally by improving gut health. When undigested foods leak through your gut and into your bloodstream, it can cause disease-causing inflammation and hormone imbalances. Optimizing gut health is a key way to keep hormone levels healthy and synthesize and regulate hormones and neurotransmitters the microbiome aids in regulating estrogen levels. Foods such as sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi, miso, and tempeh are great probiotics sources!
How The Horrors Of Fluctuating Estrogen Levels Can Be Prevented
Though estrogen is a confusing hormone, you can definitely adopt certain lifestyle habits to regulate your estrogen levels:
1. Eat a balanced diet which includes organic food. A diet rich in phytoestrogens may also help in balancing your hormones.
2. Alter your personal care products. Avoid irritating your skin with toxic chemicals that are found in various personal care products. The skin repairs inflammation and irritation by making more oil. Always use non-comedogenic products specially made for acne prone skin.
3. Gently cleanse your face with a mild cleanser at least twice a day. Also, you can clean your face with AcneStar soap for better results.
4. Reduce the toxic load and adopt detox relief.
5. Exercise daily as it will help in weight management as well as stress management.
The battle between hormones and acne is never-ending. Using over-the-counter medications like an anti-acnecream or the best products for acne, followed by a proper skin care regimen, can be an effective solution to all your acne worries.
Recommended Reading: How To Treat Papules Acne Naturally
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.
How Can I Reduce My Risk Of Hormonal Acne
Though hormonal acne can be unavoidable, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk of getting breakouts:
- Make lifestyle changes to reduce stress, get better sleep and eat a healthy diet.
- Use skincare products that wont clog pores.
- Discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider for persistent acne.
Don’t Miss: How To Help Baby Acne
How Long Until Your Skin Improves
You might see an initial improvement within a few weeks, but dont worry if your skin then flares up with stress or your cycle. Real, lasting improvement is a longer-term project and typically happens within 36 months.
I know that seems like forever when youre desperate to be acne-free, but working to correct the body systems takes some time. I recommend continuing the above recommendations until your skin is truly better, and then you can wean off the supplements and relax on the diet somewhat although youll probably never want to go back to a high-sugar, high-fat, high-dairy diet!
Incorporate natural skincare too!
Try some natural treatment options for acne. Tea tree oil, alpha hydroxy acids, non-comedogenic cleansers and moisturizers are all effective ways to fight the symptoms of hormonal acne.
If youve been struggling with your skin for a while and are not seeing improvement, consider seeing a dermatologist or working with a nutritionist to uncover the root cause of your acne and support you with implementing a targeted treatment plan!
This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Kimberly Langdon, M.D., a university-trained obstetrician/gynecologist with 19-years of clinical experience. Learn more aboutHello Glows medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
What Is The Best Cleanser For Chin Pimples
If you struggle with breakouts on the chin, start using a mild, oil-free cleanser with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is the best acne-treatment medicates to include in cleansers as it is oil-solublemeaning it can penetrate the pore while washing and remove excess sebum without overdrying the skin. People with dry or normal skin types should look for active cleansers with 2% salicylic acid, while a cleanser with 0.5% salicylic acid will be optimal for people with dry or sensitive skin.
Also Check: Does Peanut Butter Give You Acne
Does Diet Cause Acne On The Chin
Another major cause of acne on the chin is the food you eat, impacting your skin from the inside and out!
- Oily Foods: Consumption of salty, greasy foods such as chips and french fries can leave oil residues around your mouth to clog skin pores and cause pimples.
- Dairy & High GI Foods: As with all other acne types, there appears to be a correlation between certain foods’ consumption and breakouts on the chin, mouth, and jawline. The worst culprits? Dairy and high-glycemic foods such as sugar and refined carbohydrates. Eating large amounts of these goods has been shown to trigger and worsen. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, avoiding foods with high GI is one of the best ways to prevent acne.
To learn more, check out this blog, the best diet for people with acne.
E Other Medication For Hormonal Acne Treatment
1. Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl Peroxide is an over-the-counter acne medication that helps clear your blocked pores. It also has an antibacterial function that regulates the growth of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria and prevents further acne breakouts.
2. Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin is often prescribed to treat severe inflamed hormonal acne. It regulates the level of sebum production by the sebaceous glands and thereby reduces acne formations.
3. Topical Anti-Androgen Cream
Recent addition to hormonal acne treatment is the topical anti-androgen cream also called Clascoterone . It inhibits the aggravation of androgenic hormones that play a major part in the formation of hormonal acne.
4. Hormonal Therapy
Hormonal acne in women is also treated with the administration of oral contraceptives. These pills regulate the circulation of androgen hormones that cause over-secretion of sebum which leads to acne.
Don’t Miss: How Many Microneedling Sessions For Acne Scars
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.
