Acne tied to the fluctuations in hormones is pretty tricky to remedy but can be dealt with.
Hormonal acne starts at puberty and goes well beyond adolescent. During puberty, the body goes through massive hormonal changes and the breakouts and acne is the result of that. While puberty acne appears in the T-Zone, hormonal acne that affects age group between 20-40 years appears in the lower half of the face. Because jawline oil glands are super sensitive to hormonal fluctuations, hormonal acne breaks out around the jawline and chin.
Men and women are be affected by hormonal acne. However, women are more prone to it because of the monthly cycles that heavily cause changes in their oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels.
Stress is also a factor for hormonal imbalance that cause acne.
Though hormonal acne can pop up right before a vacation or a wedding ceremony, there are things you can do to take care of it. Here are a few things under that can be done.
OTC cleansers – Over the counter cleansers can do wonders for hormonal acne. Salicylic or glycolic acid is effective in exfoliating the skin. Probiotics are helpful in controlling the microbiome of the skin and can balance the pH that keeps skin ready for other topical treatments.
Retinoids do work – Retinoids help in sloughing off the dead skin faster, so they don’t bind together and clog pores. However, it is important to consult a doctor before using retinoids as higher concentration can cause side effects. Also, it is important to know that using retinoids can cause red, flaky skin and that’s not cause for panic.
Stress management – Stress can cause drastic changes in hormones which can also lead to breakouts. In times of stress, the stress hormones trigger the glands to secrete more oil, thereby the breakouts. Indulge in stress free measures to curb hormonal acne. Meditation, yoga, running can help in managing stress.
Less sugar intake – Cutting down on processed sugar can help in clearing out hormonal acne. A diet free of processed sugar that include white rice, white sugar, white potatoes, candy, pastries, or any processed food can be initiated to see if that can clutch hormonal acne. Blood sugar spikes can fluctuate the hormones causing acne. Dairy products also neds to be curbed. A 60-day diet of no processed sugar and diary can be had to see if that helps.
Tea Tree Oil – Studies have shown that tea-tree is effective in treating acne. It contains terpenes, an antibacterial property- that help fight against the bacteria causing acne. Tea tree oil is only to be used topically and not to be ingested.
