How to Deal with Hormonal Acne?

Characteristics of Hormonal Acne

Hormonal acne typically presents with specific characteristics:

• It often appears in the T-zone or areas rich in oil glands. This includes forehead, nose, chin, jawline, & lower cheeks.

• Hormonal acnes tend to flare up around the menstrual cycle in women, during puberty, or during times of hormonal imbalance, such as pregnancy or menopause.

• It may be caused in association with other signs of hormonal imbalance, such as irregular periods, excess hair growth, or mood swings.

• Hormonal acne lesions are often larger, more inflamed, and deeper beneath the skin’s surface compared to regular acne. For some people, they may take the form of blackheads, whiteheads, and small pimples that come to a head, or cysts.

• Hormonal acne may follow a cyclical pattern, worsening around the same time each month for women, or during times of hormonal fluctuations.

Is Menopausal Acne form of Hormonal Acne?

Yes, menopausal acne can be a form of hormonal acne. During menopause, there is a natural decline in your reproductive hormones particularly, estrogen and progesterone, decrease, while androgen levels may remain stable or even increase.

This hormonal imbalance can trigger acne breakouts, similar to hormonal acne experienced during puberty or during menstruation. In most cases, medication can clear up menopausal acne. Talk to your doctor about which options may be right for you.

Traditional Treatments

This includes:

• In mild cases, OTC products or prescription topical medication can help.

• In more severe cases, oral antibiotics, oral contraceptives, or anti-androgen medication may be prescribed to regulate hormone levels and reduce acne flare-ups.

• For women in menopause experiencing hormonal acne, HRT or hormone replacement therapy can help rebalance the hormone levels.

• In case of severe, resistant acne, potent oral medication that reduces oil production may be prescribed.

Natural Remedies

Certain lifestyle modifications can help treat hormonal acne naturally. This includes:

1. Maintain a healthy diet

2. Stay hydrated

3. Stress management

4. Getting adequate and restful sleep

5. Use gentle skincare products

6. Use tea-tree oil as its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce acne lesions.

7. Drink green tea or apply it topically to affected areas.

8. Maintain gut health with probiotic-rich foods as this may balance hormones.

Diet Do’s and Don’ts

While exact role between diet & hormonal acne isn’t well understood, including and avoiding some foods may help prevent acne.

Do’s –

1. Eat whole, unprocessed foods as they provide nutrients that support overall skin health.

2. Consume foods rich in omega-3s as it can help reduce inflammation.

3. Consume foods high in antioxidants as it can help protect your skin.

4. Choose low-glycaemic index foods as it helps reduce acne flare-ups.

5. Include probiotic-rich foods as they indirectly influence hormonal balance.

Don’ts –

1. Avoid high-glycemic index foods as they may exacerbate the condition.

2. Reduce or eliminate dairy consumption

3. Minimize processed and refined foods as they can contribute to acne breakouts.

4. Limit alcohol consumption.