Do you remember the first-time hormones appeared in your life when you were a teenager? We usually think of "raging hormones" as teen angst and hormonal acne, but the truth is that hormones are always at work behind the scenes, changing how our skin looks and how our bodies work.
Hormones affect growth and development, reproduction and sexual traits, appetite, metabolism, mood, and sleep. And, unlike when you were a teenager, hormones are great communicators.
The endocrine system comprises glands in the body that release and control hormones. These hormones send messages to other body parts and control how they work. The ovaries, testes, adrenals, and thyroid all secrete hormones that affect the skin.
Changes in hormones that make the skin more sensitive can happen anytime. But certain times in life, like puberty and, for women, perimenopause and menopause, can make acne worse.
Puberty
This is when cystic acne can ruin your life, and most of us try different cleansers repeatedly to treat acne-prone skin.
The sebaceous glands of the skin are stimulated by androgen hormones, which are predominantly produced by the testes, ovaries, and adrenal glands. The oilier your skin is and the more likely it is to get clogged pores, the more active you are. Testosterone, the most common androgen, makes sebum thicker, making the extra skin oily and keeping hormonal acne going. Skin rougher and thicker has also been linked to the amount of testosterone in both men and women.
Perimenopause
Peri is Greek for "around" or "near," It refers to the time before menopause when you are in between periods. This extended duration can range from a few months to more than three, four, or even ten years.
As you get closer to menopause, your estrogen levels change and become less predictable. During your reproductive years, your estrogen levels rise and fall regularly. Symptoms of perimenopause include irregular menstrual cycles, trouble sleeping, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and dry vaginal tissue. Hormonal acne in adults can also be a sign of the start of menopause, which happens when the levels of the female hormone estrogen start to drop.
Menopause
This starts a year after your last period and can make your skin look different. Even though environmental stressors like the sun and smoking also play a role, menopause is the main reason why the skin loses collagen quickly. Studies show that during the first five years of menopause, women lose about 30% of the collagen in their skin.
Several skin problems have been linked to the drop in estrogen that comes with menopause:
- Hormonal Acne
- Loss of elasticity and more wrinkles
- Skin irritations like rashes, eczema, and rosacea get worse
- Thinner skin
- Less ability for skin to hold on to water
- Wounds heal slowly
How to fight Hormonal Acne in 5 ways?
Your skin is affected by more than just your hormones. Your diet, exercise, and lifestyle can all work together to make your skin look brighter and healthier.
During puberty, perimenopause, and menopause, you can take these steps to help your skin and add to your arsenal of acne treatments:
- Drink a lot of water to get rid of toxins, stay hydrated, and keep your bowels moving.
- Eat a lot of healthy oils, like flaxseed oil and Omega-3 fish oil.
- Use deep breathing and mindfulness to reduce stress hormones.
- Exercise to let out those endorphins.
- Get enough sleep. Have a regular sleep schedule and eliminate artificial 'blue light.
Where should you begin to treat your Acne?
The best acne treatment method can balance oil levels and soothe your skin. Most of the time, it's best to keep your skincare routine simple and not use too many harsh chemicals or exfoliants.
Avoid depriving your skin of its natural oils, since this may lead your skin to overcompensate by creating even more sebum. Regular, effective skincare full of antioxidants can help with hormonal acne and fight free radicals, speeding up the aging process.
Shelly Leggins, Timeless' Senior Product Knowledge Advisor and Esthetician, recommended applying an adaptable flexible approach to your skin's changing demands during the various stages of hormonal acne.
Here's a skincare routine to try:
Vitamin B5 Serum
Vitamin B5 Serum with Hyaluronic Acid is a great skin care product for hormonal acne because it controls the amount of oil in your skin and speeds up its natural healing process. Use Vitamin B5 hydration serum in the morning and at night to help reduce redness and sensitivity. This serum can calm irritated skin and reduce inflammation after a sudden "hot flash."
Coenzyme Q10 serum
Coenzyme Q10 Serum can be used in the morning or evening. It gives energy to cells that they need to work better on a cellular level and replace the CoQ10 that our bodies stop making as we age. CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight free radicals and rebuild collagen and elastin in cells.
Squalane Oil 100% pure
Squalane Oil 100% Pure is a "dry oil" that helps control the amount of oil in your skin and protects it from pollution. Apply before your moisturizer with SPF for the day, use Squalane Oil to seal in your Face serums and keep your skin hydrated. This will protect your skin from environmental stress.