Hormonal Acne In Focus
Thought puberty was the end of blemishes?
Unfortunately for many it’s not, hormonal acne can present in your 20s, 30s and 40s, typically presenting on the chin, jaw, back, chest or neck and is triggered by a variety of factors but generally all relate back to hormonal imbalances; this can include fluctuations with your monthly cycle, conditions such as PCOS and stress. It can be a very frustrating situation for many women, impacting our comfort and confidence.
Managing hormonal acne requires a multi-faceted approach for the best results, which is exactly why the FENN team includes a naturopath. It is a case of working to treat the root cause internally, plus topical treatments that address inflammation, support your skin’s microbiome and cell renewal capacity.
Treatments & Products
In our facial treatments we rely on the Omnilux LED light, and skincare rich in Vitamin A and niacinamide.
Our medical grade LED red light helps to stimulate fibroblasts (collagen and elastin) to stimulate collagen production, increase circulation and improve hydration levels plus it is anti-inflammatory and thus helpful in reducing redness and inflammation associated with hormonal acne. LED light treatments also encourage cellular repair and circulation, promoting healing and a vibrant complexion. For hormonal acne we see the best results with consistency of treatments, we recommend weekly to fortnightly LED light sessions for ongoing support.
We love Vitamin A rich skincare products for hormonal acne cases as it has a myriad of benefits from supporting the structure and integrity of the skin, reducing the appearance of scarring, promoting skin cell turnover and healing, plus reduces inflammation. Our go to products include Emma Lewisham’s Supernatural Triple Vitamin A Oil, Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 and Josh Rosebrook’s Active Infusion Oil.
Niacinamide is our other acne hero as it is anti-inflammatory and calming, reducing the appearance of redness while promoting hydration and soothing the skin. In treatment and for at home management we recommend Josh Rosebrook’s Hyrdation Boost Concentrate, Emma Lewisham’s Even Skin Reset Serum or Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense.
Naturopath Alice Flannery at Fenn
Naturopathy
Naturopathic treatment of hormonal acne will generally involve testing your hormone levels across a month, as hormones fluctuate throughout the different phases of your cycle and testing allows us to understand the full picture, and where imbalances may be occurring. Typically throughout a menstrual cycle there is a pattern of the following hormonal cascade;
- Menstrual phase = low progesterone & low oestrogen,
- Follicular phase: increasing oestrogen
- Ovulation: oestrogen peak
- Luteal phase: high progesterone = high oil production, more prone to breakouts
FENN’s resident naturopath Alice Flannery (@theherbal_collective) says “Breakouts that occur premenstrually or around ovulation suggest an imbalance in ratio of oestrogen to progesterone. Healthy ovulation and adequate detoxification is important for keeping our oestrogen/progesterone ratio in check. While breakouts that persist for the duration of the menstrual cycle suggest an excess of testosterone. Increased testosterone is a key driver of acne, and this type of breakout typically presents as deep, hormonal pimples.”
Any imbalance in the ratio of these hormones can lead to dysfunctional sebum regulation, issues with liver detoxification and affect skin barrier function. In treatment of hormonal acne, Alice focuses on supporting the liver and digestion as “the body’s ability to effectively process and excrete hormones is important for maintaining healthy skin”.
Our Naturopaths create custom blends inhouse for clients
Liver and digestive support doesn’t have to be complicated and a few simple daily rituals and dietary additions can make a big impact. The aim is to promote movement and reduce inflammation and stagnation by stimulating your lymphatic system and general circulation with exercise, dry body brushing, massage or cold showers.A focus on consuming foods rich in zinc such as oysters, grass fed beef, legumes, pepitas, dark leafy greens and Omega 3s including oily fish, fresh nuts and seeds, cruciferous vegetables; most notably broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower, and bitter greens, such as dandelion, rocket, kale, collard. Plus antioxidants and Vitamin A rich foods (to match your skincare serums!)And of course, it wouldn’t be a skincare article if it didn’t mention hydration! We sound like robots but adequate hydration is super important ( as well as limiting dehydrating foods and beverages such as sugar, coffee and alcohol) and ensuring a high fibre intake will boost digestive function and support liver function.In consultation and through pathology testing Alice is able to determine areas in which your system may require additional support through herbal medicine and nutraceuticals (supplements).Other key considerations in the hormonal acne puzzle include;management of stress as stress triggers the release of a variety of hormones that can trigger an inflammatory response in the body," says Alice. Inflammation is a major part of acne—that's what leads to those large and deep red cystic pimples.an exploration of a PCOS diagnosis (PCOS is a hormonal condition characterised by absent or irregular menstrual cycles, polycystic ovaries, acne, excess facial hair and an increased production of androgens (such as testosterone)Post-pill acne: as the pill switches off communication between the brain and ovaries, when we come off the pill and the ovaries begin to function again, hormone levels may fluctuate, particularly testosterone, leading to increased sebum production and hormonal acne. increased levels of synthetic hormones from the pill may place pressure on the liver, leading to acne. The pill suppresses sebum production, so when you come off the pill the skin often over-produces sebum in an effort to re-establish and regulate sebum production, leading to acne.If you feel we may be able to support you to clear, glowing skin don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team to book your next treatment .