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How to Treat Hormonal Acne Naturally? Tips From Expert Dermatologists

Dr. Sreelekha Daruvuri

4 Min Read

Fast Check Fact Checked

Before going on to the main topic, let us try and understand the difference between acne and hormonal acne. The skin infection, i.e., acne, develops when oil and dead skin cells clog the pores on the skin. As a result, blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, cysts, and nodules may develop. Whereas, hormonal acne is caused due to hormonal fluctuations in the body. This acne can happen during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and while taking specific drugs. In this article, we will look into the symptoms, causes, and how to treat hormonal acne naturally.

Understanding Hormonal Acne

Hormonal acne refers to acne that is primarily impacted by changes in hormone levels in the body. It frequently happens when there is a hormonal imbalance, such as an increase in androgens (male hormones like testosterone) in both males and females. This hormonal imbalance may cause the skin to produce more oil (sebum) than normal, which can block pores and cause acne to appear. During stress, pregnancy, puberty, menstruation, menopause or when diagnosed with PCOS and PCOD, a woman’s body undergoes hormonal changes. These changes can cause hormonal acne.

Symptoms Of Hormonal Acne

Hormonal acne is often characterized by

Cysts or nodules under the skin’s surface that are extremely painful and deep
Breakouts frequently affect the jawline, chin, and occasionally the neck and back
Blackheads, whiteheads, and small pimples on the face

Causes Of Hormonal Acne

When hormonal changes increase the quantity of oil your skin produces, hormonal acne occurs. These acnes are caused by the interaction of this oil with bacteria on your skin’s pores, or hair follicles, where hair grows.

The causes of clogged pores are:

Sebum is an overproduction of the greasy substance produced by the sebaceous glands in the middle layer of your skin
Bacteria
Dead Skin Cells

The causes of hormonal acne that you can do something about:

Stress
Lack Of Sleep
Using hair and skin care items that don’t contain oil-free or non-comedogenic (non-acnegenic) chemicals that won’t clog pores

The causes of hormonal acne that cannot be avoided:

Women’s hormone levels change over time, particularly during menstruation, irregular periods, pregnancy, menopause, and after stopping birth control
Males getting testosterone therapy
Hereditary predisposition associated with acne in the family
(Steroids) side effect of a drug
Medical issues that were present before (such as metabolic disorders and polycystic ovary syndrome, among other ovarian illnesses)

How Is Hormonal Acne Diagnosed?

A healthcare professional will examine the acne and evaluate its causes during a physical examination to determine whether it is hormonal acne. As part of this, they talk about:

The skin care products that you use regularly
Insomnia brought on by stress
The medications you are taking right now
Hormonal changes in your health

How Is Hormonal Acne Treated?

To treat hormonal acne, it is frequently necessary to correct the underlying hormonal imbalance. Common strategies include:

Oral contraceptives (birth control pills): These can help some women control their hormones and acne.
Anti-androgen drugs: These substances can lessen the impact of androgens on the skin.
Topical/Oral antibiotics: These can aid in the management of acne’s bacterial component.
Retinoids: Topical, prescription-strength retinoids like tretinoin can aid in preventing congested pores.

Note: All of the above medications should not be used without the prescription of a dermatologist. These medications are strong and can alter hormone levels drastically, so should only be taken if a professional deems it necessary.

How To Reduce Hormonal Acne Naturally?

Let us see some do’s and don’ts on how to treat hormonal acne naturally.

Do’s on how to reduce hormonal acne:

Besides medications, there are some natural ways that you can help treat acne. Of course, these too should be used only under the supervision of a dermatologist, because they can have negative effects on the skin which can worsen inflammation and in turn, worsen acne.

Tea tree oil: anti-inflammatory
Turmeric: anti-inflammatory that may work for small breakouts and hyperpigmentation/scars caused by acne
Green tea: anti-inflammatory
Use a gentle face wash: hormones can cause excess oil production, and washing your face twice a day can keep the skin clean and dry. Using a gentle cleanser is recommended to not flare up existing acne.
Use the right amount of medication: too much of anything can be a bad thing – topical acne medications are usually strong and are not meant to be used in excess amounts.
Use a non-comedogenic moisturizer: Keeping your skin well hydrated is an amazing skincare tip but oil-based moisturizers are not a good idea with hormonal acne. Choose products that are non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic, oil-free and won’t clog pores.

Don’ts:

Acne is an actual dermatological condition and should be treated as such. There are also several grades of acne (1-4) and each individual’s case and skin are different therefore a personalised treatment by a dermatologist is the best way to help them. There are some things that one must avoid.

Avoid applying oily makeup and skincare products
Do not touch or pop pimples which will make them worse
Too many medicines can make your skin very dry prompting more production of sebum which can cause more breakouts. So, consult the doctor for the right amount of medication.
Do not use quick fixes such as toothpaste and DIY remedies on your pimples, this can damage your skin and can cause excessive dryness.

Lifestyle Remedies

There are some lifestyle changes and diets that one needs to follow to deal with hormonal acne.

Lifestyle Changes:

Managing stress
Exercising regularly
A proper skincare routine

Diet For Hormonal Acne:

As you may know, what you eat can greatly affect your skin. Certain foods can increase the amount of inflammation in your body and further exacerbate hormonal acne. Here are some foods that you should eliminate or reduce in your diet. Don’t make any changes to your diet without speaking to a nutritionist.

Dairy products: milk, eggs
Sugary foods and drinks
Oily foods/fast food: those high in saturated fats
Red meats
Chocolate/candy
Simple carbs such as white rice, white bread and pasta

Summary

It’s crucial to remember that the success of treatment may differ from person to person. A dermatologist or other healthcare professional can assist in choosing the best course of action for someone with hormonal acne. In addition, some individuals might need a mix of therapies to adequately manage their acne.