5 Natural Remedies to Fight Hormonal Acne
Most people struggle with acne at some point in their lives, typically during puberty or other times when hormones can get thrown out of whack. Hormonal acne is extremely common in adult women when hormone levels become out of balance. There are a variety of ways to plan for and deal with hormonal acne. We’ll walk you through some natural home remedies as well as some natural supplements you can add to your routine to help combat it.
What is hormonal acne?
Acne is one of the leading symptoms of PMS and it’s directly tied to fluctuating hormones. Hormonal acne can happen to anyone, but is especially prevalent for women during their menstruating years. Acne occurs when the body produces an increased amount of certain hormones that stimulate the production of sebum. Sebum is a form of oil your body naturally produces. Normal amounts keep skin smooth and healthy, but an increased amount of sebum can clog hair follicles and cause acne.
What causes hormonal acne?
Hormonal acne outbreaks are common, treatable and sometimes pretty predictable. Everyone has a different tolerance to and sensitivity to certain hormones. The biggest culprit is usually testosterone, which can stimulate sebum production. All women have small amounts of testosterone that is essential and healthy at its balanced level. Increased levels of androgens (like testosterone) is one of the leading causes of hormonal acne. Other times it can be really common is during puberty, menopause, or if you have PCOS.
The four stages of hormonal acne
- Hormone production before your period - your body starts to increase its androgen production which trigger your body to start producing more sebum
- Clogged hair follicles - hair follicles can be fully blocked causing a whitehead or partially blocked causing a blackhead
- Bacterial infection - the bacteria trapped inside causes a painful pimple
- Inflammation - your body’s response to the bacteria causes the follicle to become red and swollen
Treatments for hormonal acne outbreaks
The beauty and wellness market is completely packed with a wide variety of products that are dedicated to help eradicate acne and blemishes. All acne solutions depend on the severity of your acne outbreaks and your skin type. Some traditional treatments are topical products like retinoids, antibiotics, and hormonal medication like an oral contraceptive, which is usually the most common outcome from seeking medical attention for hormonal acne.
If you have less severe acne symptoms or would prefer trying the natural route first, there are a variety of options for natural remedies and treatments. As a caveat, natural solutions are typically more effective for mild outbreaks but that doesn’t mean that they can’t work for you!
Green tea
Green tea is a natural anti-inflammatory aid, which helps with swelling and puffiness. Drinking a cup or two of green tea a day can be helpful for mild acne and as a plus, is a great antioxidant to keep your immune system fully charged.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is staple in a variety of toners and cleansers due to its anti-inflammatory characteristics. Make sure to test out tea tree oil on a small part of your skin before using it everywhere. It’s also important to dilute tea tree oil with something like coconut or jojoba oil.
Make some modifications to your diet
Increasing anti-inflammatory foods and antioxidant-rich foods in your diet can help prevent and combat mild to moderate hormonal acne outbreaks. In addition, limiting your intake of sugar and refined carbs like bread and pasta can help lessen outbreaks.
Be a little extra diligent about your skincare and hygiene
Even though it can be tempting to use coverup and overdo the makeup when you’re breaking out, try and avoid makeup if possible so your pores and hair follicles have a chance to clear up. Try limiting your makeup to anything that isn’t water-based. Another easy and helpful thing you can do is to shower after you workout or sweat. Make sure you’re not overwashing your face and using gentle cleansers. During a breakout, try and avoid harsh exfoliants and other chemical-rich skin products.
Incorporate supplements into your routine
Consistently taking certain natural supplements can help ease the pain of breakouts and can even help prevent them all together. As you probably know, supplements need to be taken consistently and for a long period of time to really do their job, so be patient and try and be as consistent as you can. Here are our top supplements that can help with complexion and preventing breakouts.
Omega-3s - it can be tough to get the amount of Omega-3s you need just through food, so incorporating a supplement can help give you clearer and softer skin.
B Vitamins - help regenerate and renew skin and a good B6 can help with inflammation and overproduction of sebum.
Zinc - can help combat the bacteria that comes when hair follicles get clogged.Adding a zinc supplement can be a great natural alternative to prescription antibiotics.
Magnesium - a great anti-inflammatory supplement that when paired with calcium can really help combat hormonal acne outbreaks and can help reduce inflammation.
We've created a line of supplements that are customized to you and your individual needs for hormonal acne and other PMS symptoms. Learn more about our natural ingredient list.
Hormonal acne can be tricky to combat but don't worry, you're not alone! Try these natural remedies while sticking to your supplement routine and we're sure you'll see some relief.