Hormonal acne: causes and natural solutions

How hormonal acne occurs and how to naturally get back to your skin balance.

Hormonal acne is a recurring issue for many women: sudden, often painful blemishes on the chin or along the jawline, especially around the menstrual cycle. Unlike classic teenage acne, hormonal acne usually has internal causes. Hormones, inflammatory processes and the condition of the intestines also play an important role.

The good news is that if you understand what is happening in the body, you can provide targeted support from within.

What hormonal acne actually is

Hormonal acne occurs when hormonal fluctuations increase the skin’s sebum production. So-called androgens – hormones such as testosterone, which occur in both men and women – are particularly important here.

When the androgen level rises or becomes more sensitive to these hormones, the following happens:

• The sebaceous glands produce more skin oil
• Pores clog more easily
• Inflammations arise

Typical phases of life in which hormonal acne can occur are:

• during puberty
• before menstruation
• after stopping the pill
• during pregnancy
• in menopause

How to recognize hormonal acne

Hormonal acne has some typical characteristics. They often appear:

• Impurities in the chin and jaw area
• Deep, painful pimples
• Breakouts before the period
• Acne that hardly reacts to conventional skin care
• an overall oilier complexion

This form of acne often has less to do with external skin care and more to do with the internal balance of the body.

Two factors that can exacerbate hormonal acne

In addition to hormones themselves, other processes in the body also play an important role. Inflammation and the intestinal microbiome are particularly relevant.

1. inflammation in the body

Acne is always an inflammatory skin disease. If inflammatory processes occur more frequently in the body, the appearance of the skin can deteriorate.

Studies have also shown that vitamin D deficiency is more common in people with acne. Vitamin D plays an important role in regulating the immune system and inflammatory processes.

A randomized study from 2016, for example, showed that vitamin D supplementation could lead to a significant improvement in inflammatory lesions in people with acne.

2. the gut-skin axis

In recent years, the intestinal microbiome has also become the focus of acne research. The gut and skin are closely connected via the immune system, hormones and metabolic processes – this is why it is also referred to as the gut-skin axis.

An imbalance in the intestinal flora can:

• Intensify inflammatory processes in the body
• alter the immune response
• influence the hormone metabolism

Studies show that certain probiotic bacterial strains can help to reduce inflammatory processes in acne and improve the appearance of the skin.

These nutrients can support your skin from the inside

In addition to a balanced diet, there are some nutrients that are particularly interesting when it comes to hormonal acne.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays an important role in the regulation of inflammation and immune processes. As acne is an inflammatory skin disease, a sufficient vitamin D level can be relevant for skin health.

Studies show that people with acne are more likely to have low vitamin D levels. Supplementation can help to bring the level back into the optimum range.

Our product Hello Sunshine provides plant-based vitamin D3 from organic lichen and thus supports an adequate supply.

Probiotics

Probiotic bacteria can promote balance in the intestinal microbiome and thus indirectly support the skin.

Among other things, you can contribute to this:

• regulate inflammatory processes in the body
• strengthen the intestinal barrier
• stabilize the immune system

Our Love Your Gut Daily Biotic Complex contains 21 probiotic bacterial strains and organic fiber and supports a diverse gut microbiome.

Patience is important

The skin renews itself approximately every 28 days. Changes in the body – for example through diet or nutritional supplements – therefore take time.

If you want to support your skin from the inside, you should give your skin at least three to four months to regenerate and regain its balance.

Conclusion

Hormonal acne does not usually only develop on the surface of the skin, but is closely linked to hormones, inflammation and the intestinal microbiome.

A holistic strategy can help to support the skin from the inside. This includes a balanced diet, a healthy lifestyle and a targeted supply of important nutrients such as vitamin D and probiotics.

Because clear skin often doesn’t start in the bathroom – but inside our bodies.