Hormone Imbalances And Acne
Your acne may signal a hormone imbalance if:
- You get acne along your jawline, chin, or cheeks
- Youre a woman and you break out around the same time every month
- The acne is deep and inflamed
If you and your doc agree, be on alert. Its common for doctors to prescribe hormonal birth control to hormonal acne sufferers. It may clear your skin, but birth control does not balance your hormones, and the havoc it causes on your body isnt worth it. Here are some ways to balance your hormones naturally.
Related: Diindolylmethane : the Wonder Pill for Hormonal Acne
Tips To Treat Your Acne From The Inside Out
by Body Sculpting Regina | May 21, 2018 | Acne Treatments, Tips & Hints |
Are you struggling with acne? In fact, acne is the skin condition most commonly seen by doctors according to the Canadian Dermatology Association. Acne can affect people at any age babies, teens, and adults all have the chance to get acne. At Body Sculpting Regina, we have a variety of acne treatments to help you treat acne externally. Now, we would like to share with you 4 tips to treat your acne from the inside out.
Balance Your Blood Sugar
Do you know the experience of desperately craving sugar, only to crash a few hours later after indulging? That is a clear sign you are on a blood sugar rollercoaster. When it comes to acne, the insulin spikes triggered by the sugar highs mean bad news.
First, the excessive insulin contributes to chronic inflammation. Second, this blood sugar rollercoaster eventually creates insulin resistance, which may increase estrogen dominance.
Steps for balancing blood sugar include reducing sources of refined carbohydrates, eating more healthy fats, and working movement into your lifestyle. Please see my post 10 Ways to Balance Blood Sugar Naturally for more information.
Also Check: How To Apply Acne Cream
Top Tips For Addressing Acne From The Inside Out
Beauty
Acne affects roughly 9.4% of the population, making it the eighth-most prevalent condition worldwide.1 Acne typically begins in puberty when oil glands are activated but can occur at any stage of life, including adulthood. Acne typically develops in areas where there are more sebaceous, or oil, glands including the face, chest, arms, and back. Many factors play a role in the development of acne, including genetics, environmental exposures, inflammation, excess oil production, hormone imbalances, bacteria, and excess dead skin clogging hair follicles. Acne can come in the form of blackheads or whiteheads, which are non-inflammatory. Inflammatory acne can take to form of pustules, papules, nodules, and cysts. Cystic acne is a more severe form of acne that results in enlarged cysts and nodules that develop on the skin. This type of acne tends to be more painful and forms when oil and dead skin cells build up in the pores or hair follicles.
Moisturize: Morning And Evening After Exfoliation Or Serum
You might think that drying out your acne will get rid of it. As mentioned above, if youre over-drying your skin, your skin will produce extra oil to compensate, and youll be worse off than you started.
Youll see quick improvement with a good moisturizer. The most important quality of a moisturizer is that its non-toxic. Franken-creams can contain hormone disruptors that will make your acne worse.
Youll also want to look for moisturizers containing lightweight non-comedogenic oils. Oily skin responds well to oils like olive, grapeseed, hazlenut, argan, and jojoba oils, among others. We recommend Osmosis Quench Nourishing Moisturizer or Environ Super Moisturizer+.
Since youre not drinking water while youre sleeping, youll want a heavier moisturizing cream at night to keep your skin cells hydrated until you take your first sip of water in the morning. we recommend Environ HA Intensive Hydrating Serum followed by Environ Super Mositurizer+.
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How To Cure Acne Naturally From The Inside Out
We all get frustrated at some point in our lives when it comes to finding the root cause of our acne as well as the right approach to healing it. Its not a one size fits all type of approach wherein we try everyone elses approach to healing their acne and expecting it to work on us, too. We all have our different ways or approaches to healing acne.
When it comes to skin care, its not just all about the topical treatments that you apply on your skin. There are also other ways to help your skin control those breakouts from happening such as:
- Gut Health
- Diet
Treating Acne From The Inside
Hormones are a key contributor to acne period!
Therefore, a safe and effective hormonal acne treatment will diminish the effects of a breakout, as well as, prevent the development of future lesions. Once you find the best treatment for your hormonal acne, you will finally feel confident knowing that your embarrassing affliction is finally under control.
For more information about choosing a hormonal acne treatment, check out the following resources:
Quit Acne is a step by step holistic guide to curing acne by Lauren Geersten, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner
Acne No More Review a science-backed holistic acne solution developed by Medical Researcher, Michael Walden
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Dog Acne
How Do Supplements Work To Reduce Acne And Scarring
This is where something like SkinB5 can come into play. SkinB5s acne treatment program is a complete inside-out approach to help target the root cause of acne, explains Judy. SkinB5s patented potent supplement formulations feature a combination of vitamin B5, vitamin B3, zinc, copper, folic acid, biotin, silicon, vitamin A and vitex herb that act to control oil production, balance hormones, relieve stress, strengthen immune response and promote the healing and renewal of skin cells.
There are two different types of SkinB5 supplements you can take. The Extra Strength Tablets are the first step of the SkinB5 acne control program and are suitable for those with moderate to severe acne, explains Judy. Whereas the Caplets are suitable for mild, dry skin and hormonal acne and ongoing maintenance of clear skin.
Should you change your diet approach, too?
When tackling acne, adding a skin-loving supplement to your daily routine can be extremely beneficial, as making changes to your diet and skin care routine alone often cant stop acne. But if acne sufferers, who are taking SkinB5 acne control supplements, also adopt a diet of fresh and low GI foods, they will see optimal results sooner, explains Judy.
Wanna know more about the SkinB5 supplements and how they work? Check out the review bh staffer, Kate, gave them.
Have you tried SkinB5? How do you treat an acne attack?
How To Treat Acne From The Inside Out
Acne is the most common skin disease in the world, affecting up to 80% of people aged between 11 years and 30 years. Acne is caused by the pores of your skin blocking up due to excess production of sebum , and affects the face, back, chest and shoulders. A blocked pore normally leads to the development of pimples on the skin and these can be unsightly, causing embarrassment, scarring and even affect the self-esteem of people who are affected by these conditions. There are several causes of blocked pores and their resulting acne. These include hormonal imbalances, a poor diet, contraceptives and other types of medication, pregnancy and many others. Acne has conventionally been treated using medications prescribed by skin doctors. However, most of these medications are only effective up to a point, have several side effects and do not really solve the underlying problems that cause acne. The best way to stop acne is from the inside out and the following are a few of the most effective natural remedies to help you get rid of acne forever:
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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
My 30 Day Reset And Transformation
Two years ago, I learned about The Whole30, a diet where you only eat whole, unprocessed foods. The goal is to help you discover food sensitivities and improve health. I originally decided to take on this diet to get to the bottom of some stomach aches that plagued me. I was eating mostly what I thought of as healthy foods , but they were still affecting me.
Magic happened during this month of eating whole, unprocessed foods. I made another fascinating discovery as I reintroduced the foods Id eliminated. A day after having some cream in my coffee and cheese with my dinner, I could feel a deep infection beginning to form around my chin and decided to do some research. Over the next few hours, I pored over articles and studies, first about the relationship between acne and dairy, and then the relationship between acne and food.
I found largest studies , researchers asked 47,355 women to recall their dietary habits and the severity of their acne in high school. Those who reported drinking two or more glasses of milk per day were 44 percent more likely to have suffered from acne. Suddenly everything made perfect sense.
Of course my skin reflects the quality of the things I put in my body. It may have taken far longer than 30 days for my skin to clear up completely, but those 30 days gave me the freedom to understand the relationship between my diet and body.
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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.
Tips To Clear Hormonal Acne From The Inside Out
Note from Dr. Zenovia: Always remember, our skin is a visible indicator of internal body functions. Acne is best treated with a comprehensive approach which includes a healthy diet and lifestyle, in-office skin treatments, prescription or over the counter topical products, and medication. It is therefore important to consult a board-certified dermatologist if youre interested in clearing your skin.
Recommended Reading: How To Treat Jawline Acne
Get Rid Of Adult Acne From The Inside Out
This week a visitor had the following question about adult acne.
I am a 20 year old female who is still struggling with acne. The strange part about is that when I go to Ukraine my face clears up and as soon as I get back to the States, it is back to the old story. I went to different dermatologists, their only answer seems to be Accutane. I was wondering if there were any natural ways of getting rid of acne that I have had for years. Thank you, Vita
Acne is experienced most frequently by teenagers going through puberty, because of fluctuating hormones and poor diet, however adult acne is occurring more and more frequently largely because of the high level of environmental toxins we are all exposed to and the standard American diet that is high in sugar, trans fats and refined junk foods and low in fiber, vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients.
Many people try to treat their adult acne with the use of harsh chemicals, facial cleansers or prescriptions drugs. Unfortunately these products only make the problem worse in the long run. Your body actually needs a certain amount of oil on the face ,and if you strip it all away with harsh cleansers, then your body reacts by producing even more oil to compensate for the loss. Additionally the chemicals are too harsh for many people and may result in rashes, irritated or burning skin, blotchiness, redness and extremely dry skin.
Treat Acne From The Outside In
Now that weve addressed the internal causes of acne, the external causes must be examined. Even with blissful hormone balance and a pristine diet, an ineffective skincare regimen will often lead to breakouts. Topical skincare will not make much of dent in hormonal acne , but it goes a long way in reducing breakouts caused by clogged pores and bacteria.
The goals of an acne skincare regimen include:
- Unclog pores
- Stimulate cell renewal
Also Check: What Can Help Get Rid Of Acne
Treatments For Blind Pimples
There are several treatment options â both over-the-counter and prescription â for cystic acne. Additionally, several acne treatments do not involve medicine.
Topical Treatments: âTopicalâ means treatments that go on your skin. Typically, the first approach to treating blind pimples is to try topical medications. Common topical acne medications include:
- Benzoyl peroxide. This antiseptic that reduces bacteria on the skin. It comes in either cream or gel form.
- Retinoids. Also available as either gels or creams, these work by increasing the rate of skin cell turnover and reduces sebum production. Tretinoin and adapalene are topical retinoids used to treat acne.
- Antibiotics. Topical antibiotics reduce bacteria on the skin that can cause acne. They’re available as a lotion or gel.
Oral Treatments
If your cystic acne is very severe and does not respond to topical treatments, your dermatologist may prescribe you oral medication.
Antibiotic tablets. Certain antibiotics are used to reduce bacteria in the skin from the inside out. The most common types include:
- Clindamycin
- Erythromycin
Hormonal therapies. Hormonal therapies are often prescribed for women struggling with acne. Your primary care doctor or dermatologist may suggest oral contraceptives if youâre not already on them. Another common hormonal treatment option is spirolactone, a synthetic steroidal androgen receptor blocker.
Other Treatments for Blind Pimples
Rule #: Be Gentle With Yourself And Your Skin
Using harsh facial cleansers can sometimes result in dryness, causing the skin to produce more oil providing an environment for acne to thrive. Elevated cortisol levels from stress can contribute to more sebum production. Its best to use gentle cleansers that provide some moisture to the skin. And keep your stress as low as possible.
Acne is a signal from your body that something needs more attention. At Boulder Natural Health we have great success with treating acne using natural medicine. By addressing the root cause, you heal your skin from the inside out.
Read Also: Does Birth Control Help With Back Acne
Whats Causing Your Acne
The most important thing to know about acne is that there isnt just one cause. Acne is due to a combination of several factors.
These factors are:
1.) Too Much Oil
2.) Too Much Shedding of Dead Skin Cells
3.) Bacteria
4.) Inflammation
These factors are weighted differently for each person. For some of you, it may be due primarily to excess oil. For a different group of you, it could be too much shedding. This is why acne is so hard to treat. There isnt a one-size-fits-all approach.
You will respond to different ingredients based on whats causing your acne. The trick to treating acne is to figure out the root cause. This is largely a trial and error process if you are figuring this out on your own at home. So you have to be patient.
I recommend that you tweak your routine one step at a time, as you discover what treatments work and dont work for you. If you try too many products at once, or constantly change your routine, your skin will get off balance, which makes things worse. It takes time to re-balance skin once it has been interrupted.
In the meantime, you can experiment with foods that address the factors above.
Attacking Acne From The Inside Out
Acne can be caused by things your skin is exposed to, as well as things happening inside your body. Its often a combination of the two! So, when it comes to maskne , we need to take a look at whats causing your acne so we can figure out the best way to clear it up and prevent it from coming back.
External Factors Causing Maskne
First, lets take a look at the external factors.
Last month I talked in-depth in this post, about some of the external factors that might contributing to maskne like:
- Fit A tight fitting mask can cause irritation.
- Material If your mask is made from a less breathable material, or a harsh material, this could lead to irritation.
- Makeup If youre wearing makeup under your mask, the bacteria thats floating around along with the makeup youre wearing could be clogging your pores.
- Usage If youve got a washable mask, but youre wearing it over and over without washing it, youre essentially spreading the same bacteria on your face with each wear. If youve got a disposable mask that youre wearing over and over, the same thing is happening.
- Detergent If youre washing your mask regularly, the detergent or chemicals in your laundry soap could be a factor.
If you get on a solid skin care routine and address the things mentioned above, you may see your acne clear up relatively quickly. But what happens if you make changes and your acne isnt clearing up?
Then we gotta dig deeper and look inside!
Internal Factors Contributing to Maskne
- Alcohol
Recommended Reading: Is Benzoyl Peroxide Good For Acne
