Why Do Hormonal Imbalances Cause Acne?
Is it Hormonal or Bacterial Acne?
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the world, affecting almost everyone at some stage of their life. Unfortunately, continuous and persistent breakouts can be caused by hormonal imbalances that are difficult to control. In this article, we will examine why hormonal imbalances cause acne and discuss the available treatments to help reduce these effects. We will also discuss the role of hormones in acne formation and what lifestyle changes can be made to combat it.
What is Hormonal Acne?
Hormonal acne is a skin condition caused by an increase in hormones, such as testosterone, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. It is common among those going through puberty, women during their menstrual cycles, and adults with hormone imbalances. Hormonal acne doesn’t always appear the same, it can range from mild to severe and typically appears on the face, chest, or back.
What is the Most Common Form of Hormonal Acne?
The most common form of hormonal acne is called cystic acne. This type of breakout develops when sebaceous glands become overactive due to hormonal changes and produce too much oil. The excess oil combines with dead skin cells to block pores and creates cysts below the surface of the skin that are red, tender-to-the-touch bumps that are often filled with pus.
How to Tell if Acne is Hormonal or Bacterial?
When determining the cause of your acne, one of the first things to consider is whether you’ve recently experienced any hormonal changes such as puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause or menopause. Hormonal acne often appears during these times and tends to manifest as deep cystic pimples around the chin and jawline. If this sounds familiar, then chances are your acne is likely caused by a hormone imbalance.
Acne caused by bacteria can occur anytime. The bacteria most closely associated with acne development is Cutibacterium acnes. Previously, it was known as propionibacterium acnes. It is gram-positive, anaerobic (meaning it survives in settings without oxygen), aerotolerant (meaning it can survive in the presence of oxygen), and slow-growing bacteria. This bacteria can cause the growth and inflammation of pimples when it manifests more frequently or gets more serious.
Hormonal Acne Characteristics
The common characteristics of hormonal acne include red, inflamed lesions, some people get blackheads, whiteheads, little pimples that come to the head, or cysts as a result of hormonal acne.
During puberty, it commonly appears on the face (commonly in the T-zone which includes your forehead, nose, and chin.), and during adulthood, it commonly appears on the cheeks, jawline, chest, back, and neck.
What Can Make Hormonal Acne Worse?
There are some things that can make hormonal acne worse and should be avoided if possible. Some of that is the following:
Stress
Although stress cannot initiate acne, it can exacerbate it if it already exists, according to the AAD (American Academy of Dermatology). Base to studies, acne gets worse as stress levels rise.
Pollution
Pollution can lead to increased oil production, clogged pores, and bacteria growth on the skin, all of which can worsen hormonal acne.
High Humidity
High humidity can be a major cause of hormonal acne, especially during the summer months when humidity levels are at their peak. This is because high humidity can increase oil production on the skin, leading to blocked pores and an increased risk of breakouts.
Poor Diet
Poor dietary choices like eating too many carbohydrates and sugar can worsen hormonal acne conditions and make it more difficult to manage. Check out our other blog post on 5 Foods to Help Heal Your Acne.
How to Stop Hormonal Acne in a Natural Way?
Hormonal acne can be a frustrating problem to deal with, particularly if you’re not sure how to stop it. Fortunately, there are some simple remedies that can help clear up your skin and keep breakouts at bay. Here are a few tips for how to stop hormonal acne without turning to potentially harsh chemical treatments.
Keep your face clean.
This means washing twice per day with an appropriate cleanser for your skin type – one that’s free of irritating ingredients such as sulfates or fragrances.
Exfoliate once a week.
This will help remove dead skin cells that could otherwise build up on the surface and lead to breakouts.
Focus on eating a balanced diet.
This includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables while avoiding processed foods high in sugar, fat, or sodium.
Regularly exercise.
This is important for regulating hormones which can help reduce breakouts.
Avoid skincare products with harsh chemicals.
This could cause further irritation or trigger an allergic reaction leading to more pimples and blemishes. Instead, opt for natural ingredients like tea tree oil to naturally fight bacteria without aggravating sensitive skin.
See a Naturopath.
Finding a local Naturopath to help you find a root cause of your hormonal imbalance is so important to maintain overall health and wellbeing.
