The 3 common hormones causing your acne!
The 3 common hormones causing your acne!
Have you been told that you might have a hormonal imbalance? Or perhaps you have never experienced issues with breakouts but have now been labelled with ‘hormonal acne’ or ‘late onset adult acne’?
Are you now experiencing acne for the first time, or maybe now worse than you have experienced before?
Although hormonal imbalances are very individual and require an individualised consultation to identify what may be causing the root cause of this imbalance for your body, and identifying the root cause for your condition.
I will break down 3 common hormonal imbalances that contribute to inflammatory skin conditions which can often lead to acne.
1. Insulin
Insulin is the term for blood sugar and is often very closely related to breakouts and poor skin health. Did you know that acne is so closely related to blood sugar that it has been labelled the ‘diabetes of the skin’?
This is due to the increase in blood sugar, which increases inflammation internally and drives the inflammation externally. If our insulin is too high for too long, it can lead to hormonal imbalances, poor gut health and can even contribute to increased androgens (male hormones).
2. Elevated androgens (testosterone)
Whilst as women we still need some levels of testosterone, high or excess levels are often a large driver for acne in women. High androgens (male hormones) can be the result of elevated insulin, or poor liver detoxification, which means the liver has not been able to properly clear out the excess androgens causing an accumulation of these hormones. Other signs of high androgens can be excess facial hair, increased body weight or difficulties with losing weight.
Some women experience discolouration and/or pigmentation on their skin, or irregular/missed periods. DHT- (di-hydrogesterone) is the name for the inflammatory androgen which is commonly responsible for acne and excess oil production. This often leads to the excess oil production and bacteria within the sebum that leads to breakouts, often seen along the lower face, neck and jawline.
3. Low progesterone
Progesterone when in balance is often known as our ‘clear skin and happy hormone’. This hormone is released prior to ovulation and helps with nourishing and lubricating the skin. Progesterone actually provides multiple benefits, particularly for women’s health and skin. It helps to nourish our hair and skin, and even reduces androgenic activity (by inhibiting alpha-5-reductase), which helps reduce excess sebum production and breakouts.
However, if this is deficient, or your body is not producing enough, this can lead to breakout prone and dryer skin. Deficient or low progesterone can also increase in skin ageing , as it helps with skin elasticity and circulation, keeping the skin hydrated and ‘plump’.
Here are 5 key ways you can help to restore and balance your hormones, and clear your skin!
1. Reduce refined sugars, and process or pre-packaged foods.
Refined sugar is a direct driver for inflammation and acne and can reap havoc for our skin, hormones and health. Avoid processed foods, soft drinks, sweeteners and foods from a packet as these are direct drivers of inflammation. Focus on eating real foods for natural sweetness, such as fruit.
2. Increase fibre rich vegetables
Fibre provides multiple benefits for our skin and hormonal health. It does this by binding to excess hormones, helping to flush them from our system. Fibre also helps to support and repair a healthy microbiome, both for our gut and skin!
3. Include your cruciferous vegetables!
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts) help with liver detoxification, which is essential for the clearance of elevated hormones, and ensuring our hormones are being filtered and cleared out thoroughly.
4. Include healthy fats, particularly from omega 3 fatty acids.
These are naturally anti-inflammatory and help to reduce inflammation internally which can be a common driver for acne and hormonal imbalances. They also help to nourish the skin cell membrane, and reduce the bacteria within the sebum.
5. Include Zinc
Zinc is a key nutrient for skin and hormones! Zinc helps to reduce androgenic activity, with sebum regulation as well as assist in reducing the bacteria within the skin, and can even assist in the regulation of our menstrual cycle.
6. Support your liver!
As the liver is the main pathway for detoxification, this is also where your hormones are processed and cleared! Looking after your liver is key, and avoiding excess toxins within the liver is essential for clearing out potentially inflamed or accumulated hormones, and clearing your skin.
If you’re ready to get to the root cause of your chronic skin condition and find out the direct cause of your hormonal imbalance, then I am here to help you. With personalised consultations and functional testing, I can help you identify what may be the root cause of your condition, so we can treat your skin, balance your hormones and heal your hormonal acne for good!
Simply send me an email below, or schedule a call to find out more on how I can work with you to achieve your skin health and hormonal balance!
If you found this helpful, and would like to know more about achieving healthy skin from the inside out, then please subscribe to www.skinnnutritionco.com.au to make sure you are the first in the know for any updates and weekly blogs.
Till next time,
Take care!
Dominique
Skin Nutrition Co. X