What Is the Deal With Hormonal Acne?

Hormonal acne.  We've heard the phrase before, and a lot of us are dealing with it, but we aren't really sure what we are dealing with.   So what is hormonal acne exactly? Hormonal acne is directly linked to the bodies hormone levels of estrogen, testosterone and androgen. The natural fluctuation that happens over a 30 day cycle can cause an increase of oil production, therefore clogging pores and causing breakouts.  This happens to women (and men) of ALL ages.  That's why even as an adult you can get major breakouts at least once a month.  Although having a good skin care regimen will definitely help your acne, hormonal acne has to be treated from the inside out.  

Here are a few ways to try treating hormonal imbalances/acne internally:

Your Diet

• Cutting back on inflammatory foods: Sugars, caffeine, low-fiber high processed foods (cold cuts, microwaveable dinners, breakfast cereals, etc) and dairy are some of the culprits that contribute to hormonal breakouts.  Try incorporating more omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants, probiotics and zinc into into your diet whether by food or supplements. 

Destress

• When we’re stressed our body releases more of the hormone cortisol. Because of this our skin produces more oils, which in return increases the chance of breakouts.  If life has you frazzled try meditating first thing in the morning for 5-10 minutes, take a yoga class, book that massage you've been talking about for months, treat your self! Do whatever you need to do to find some peace. 

Having acne as an adult is not fun, and hormonal acne can be tricky to get rid of, but remember you are not alone -  A LOT  of people deal with it.  We hope these tips will help you out, and consistency is key.  If you are going to try and change your diet your going to have to do it for at least 3 months to yield the best results.  Above all else, don't let your skin troubles rob you of your joy.  Your acne doesn't determine your worth or your beauty, so keep your chin up baby and let that confidence shine!

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