Looking for ways to get rid of hormonal and cystic acne? Here's how to reduce breakouts and achieve a clearer complexion and boost skin health.
Woman applying facial cream - Photo by Humphrey Muleba on Unsplash
Ways to Reduce Hormonal Acne and Skin Breakouts
Hormonal acne is a common skin problem experienced by many people of all ages. It is a form of cystic acne that occurs when the body’s hormones are out of balance, leading to inflammation and painful breakouts.
If you’re looking for ways to get rid of hormonal acne and achieve clear skin, then you may find the answer you’re looking for here. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how you can naturally reduce the appearance of hormonal acne and keep your skin looking clear and healthy.
1. The link between hormones and acne
Hormonal acne is a common form of acne that can affect anyone, but it is most common in teenagers and adults. Hormonal imbalances can cause the skin to produce excess oil, leading to breakouts of spots, blemishes, whiteheads, and blackheads. A hormone imbalance can also affect the skin’s health, including its texture and tone.
What causes hormonal acne?
In many cases, an increase in androgen hormones like testosterone can lead to an increase in sebum production, clogged pores, and acne. Additionally, deficiencies in vitamins such as vitamin A and zinc can contribute to hormonal acne.
How to reduce hormonal acne?
There are several ways to reduce hormonal acne, improve skin texture, and reduce inflammation. Firstly, you should wash your face with gentle products at least twice a day and after exercise to remove sweat and oil build-up on the surface of the skin. Avoiding overly drying cleansers and moisturising daily are some of the best ways to reduce breakouts.
Eating a healthy diet and taking a multivitamin supplement can also help to reduce hormonal acne by providing the skin with the necessary vitamins and minerals it needs to positively thrive. Additionally, reducing stress levels can help reduce hormonal acne by reducing the amount of cortisol (a stress hormone) produced in the body.
Avoiding food and drink that are known to be triggers for hormonal acne can also help reduce breakouts – we will discuss these in more detail below. Finally, topical treatments and oral medications may help reduce cystic acne by targeting the condition's underlying causes.
2. Managing stress levels
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but it can also wreak havoc on your skin health. A hormone imbalance caused by stress can lead to increased oil production, leading to breakouts and acne. Reducing your stress levels is an important step in any successful plan to get rid of hormonal acne.
High levels of cortisol and testosterone are likely to be the cause. Symptoms of increased levels of the hormone cortisol are linked to weight gain, thinning of the skin and hair loss and high testosterone in women is linked to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which has similar symptoms and includes excessive hair growth on the face and belly as well as a build-up of DHT on the scalp, making it difficult to naturally re-grow hair.
Here are some ways to reduce stress and achieve clear skin:
- Exercise: Exercise can help to boost endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce stress. Regular physical activity can also help to regulate hormones and keep skin clear, as well as help to manage your weight with a healthy BMI, as high levels of testosterone and cortisol can cause excessive weight gain.
- Yoga and Meditation: Taking time to relax and meditate can help to reduce stress and anxiety. Yoga, in particular, helps to promote relaxation and can be a great way to reduce stress and keep your hormones in check.
- Get Enough Sleep: Not getting enough sleep can worsen stress and lead to hormone imbalances. The recommended amount of time to sleep each night is 8 hours.
- Talk to a Professional: If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling to manage your stress, talking to a professional such as a therapist or counsellor can be beneficial. They can provide support and help you find effective ways to cope with stress and improve your mental health.
Reducing stress is an important part of any treatment for hormonal acne. By taking steps to manage your stress levels, you can reduce the chances of experiencing breakouts and have clearer, healthier skin.
3. Identifying and avoiding trigger foods
Diet plays a significant role in controlling hormones, so identifying and avoiding certain foods can be an effective way to reduce acne. Some common culprits include dairy products, processed foods, sugar, and certain oils.
Dairy products from cows contain hormones like estrogens and progesterone, and medications such as antibiotics that may contribute to hormonal imbalances and trigger breakouts in humans, among other health issues. Processed foods often contain high levels of sugar and unhealthy fats that may increase inflammation in the body. Sugar can also cause spikes in insulin levels that can lead to acne. Foods that are high in omega-6 fatty acids, like corn, soybean, sunflower, and vegetable oils, can promote inflammation as well.
To reduce your risk of developing hormonal acne, try to cut back on or eliminate these foods from your diet. Instead, focus on eating natural, whole foods with beauty benefits and plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats like olive oil, avocados, and nuts. This will help keep your hormones balanced and improve your overall health.
4. Using topical treatments
Topical treatments are often the first line of defence when it comes to treating hormonal acne. There are several different types of topical treatments available, and they vary in effectiveness and how they should be used.
One of the most popular over-the-counter treatments for acne is benzoyl peroxide. It works by killing bacteria that can cause inflammation and skin eruptions. It is available in various strengths and can be purchased over the counter or prescribed by a doctor. The effectiveness increases with using higher strengths of the treatment; however, this also comes with more drying out of the skin so ensure you use a non-comedogenic moisturiser with hyaluronic acid (HA).
Retinoid creams are another type of topical treatment used to treat acne. Retinoids are derived from Vitamin A and work by decreasing the amount of oil produced by the sebaceous glands. This helps prevent clogged pores and reduce inflammation. However, retinoids can cause dryness and irritation, so it's important to use them as directed. I've used vitamin A for hormonal acne myself, and it can make a huge difference to your skin and can help to reduce the painful cysts that can be commonly found along the jawline in people with a hormonal imbalance.
Salicylic acid is another popular topical skincare treatment for acne. It helps unclog pores and reduce inflammation by dissolving excess oils on the surface of the skin. It is also used to treat blackheads, whiteheads, and other blemishes caused by hormonal fluctuations. Salicylic acid can be found in cleansers, toners, and other topical solutions.
Topical treatments are an effective way to help treat hormonal acne. Finding the right balance of products that work best for your skin type is important – the key is to use skincare that contains ingredients to reduce acne. Your dermatologist can help you identify the best products for your skin and suggest strategies to manage breakouts. I recommend using skincare from brands that use natural ingredients, as these tend to have more beneficial ingredients that are kinder to the skin.
5. Taking oral medications
Oral medications may be prescribed by your doctor or dermatologist to help control hormonal acne. These medications work by reducing the production of certain hormones, such as testosterone, which can aggravate and worsen acne.
Some of the most common oral medications used to treat hormonal acne are birth control pills, spironolactone, and isotretinoin. Birth control pills are a hormone-based form of contraception that can also help regulate hormones and reduce the severity of acne breakouts. Spironolactone is a medication that works by blocking androgen receptors, which helps to reduce the activity of the androgen hormones that can cause acne breakouts. Finally, isotretinoin is a vitamin A derivative that can be very effective in reducing sebum production, thus helping to prevent acne breakouts.
It is important to understand that these medications do not offer an instant cure for hormonal acne. Rather, they are treatments that will take some time to work and may even require multiple courses of treatment before you start to see results. It is important to speak with your doctor before taking any of these medications to ensure that they are right for you and to understand any potential side effects or risks associated with them.
Before taking prescribed medication, I’d first recommend taking multivitamin supplements from quality brands so that your skin can benefit from all the essential nutrients your skin and body need – especially if your diet lacks skin-loving vitamins A and C. However, it is important not to have too much vitamin A as it can become harmful in the body, so only have the recommended daily allowance.
Broccoli, cauliflower, and kale all contain a compound called diindolylmethane (DIM). Among its purported health benefits is the ability to regulate hormones and lessen inflammation. So, consider researching DIM to discover if you should supplement with it. Alternatively, start eating more cruciferous vegetables as a way to get rid of hormonal acne naturally, in addition to other steps, so that you are treating the skin from the inside and out.
6. Making lifestyle changes
Making lifestyle changes can be an effective way to combat hormonal acne. Here are some strategies you can use to reduce your risk of acne flares:
- Get adequate sleep: Make sure to get seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Not getting enough sleep can throw off your hormones and make your acne worse, and cause your body to produce less melatonin, which is essential to health.
- Exercise regularly: Exercise can help manage stress levels and improve your skin's overall health. Aim to exercise at least 30 minutes a day, three times a week.
- Avoid touching your face: Picking at pimples or touching your face too much can cause more irritation and lead to more breakouts.
- Use oil-free cosmetics: If you wear makeup, make sure it’s oil-free and non-comedogenic. These types of products won't clog your pores and will help keep your skin looking clear. Before using any new beauty products, investigate the ingredients list and research the comedogenic rating. A rating of 0 means it won’t block the pores, but an ingredient with a rating of 2 and above will cause you to get spots, so avoid these products.
- Limit sun exposure: Too much sun exposure can irritate your skin and lead to more acne outbreaks. Wear sunscreen and a hat if you plan to spend extended periods outdoors. Using an SPF facial cream is essential to prevent premature skin ageing, especially if you are using topical vitamin A skincare, as it will make your skin a lot more sensitive and more prone to skin damage.
- Clean pillowcase: Ensure you have a clean pillowcase every night. This will ensure your skin is not absorbing dirt, grease, and oils from hair and skin products, as well as things like dust. I recommend using one side of the pillow and turning it over to use the other side the next night, and using a fresh one for the third night. Keep doing this rotation so that you always have a clean pillowcase.
- Drink more water: Keeping your body hydrated is essential for the health of your skin. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day and swap fizzy drinks for herbal teas with beauty benefits.
Making these lifestyle changes can help reduce the severity of hormonal acne. With consistent effort and patience, you may eventually be able to achieve clear skin.