How to recognize and fight hormonal acne?

RECOGNIZING HORMONAL ACNE

Unlike adolescent acne, hormonal acne in adult women is primarily inflammatory with few or no purulent comedones. Hormonal acne is persistent and often located on the lower face or T-zone. We can distinguish three main exogenous and endogenous factors that contribute to this hormonal acne:

• Life stages: menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause
• Food
• Heredity

These 3 factors all lead to a hormonal imbalance and can be cumulative in each individual.

Are you wondering about the nature of your acne and would like an expert opinion? Our naturopaths answer your questions during a free, individual 30-minute naturopathic beauty consultation.

ACNE AND HORMONES: WHAT IS THE LINK?

Many hormones can cause acne in adults:
Androgens are hormones that stimulate the growth of sebaceous glands and regulate sebum production in our skin. Conversely, estrogens indirectly modulate the growth of sebaceous glands and regulate their function. When androgen levels rise and estrogen levels remain low, the imbalance leads to the appearance of acne. This is what happens, in particular, during menstruation. When this imbalance is persistent, acne becomes chronic.

Progesterone (a female hormone) is another hormone that can trigger acne breakouts. When its levels are too low compared to estrogen, acne can occur.

HORMONAL ACNE BREAKDOWN

Several phenomena are observed at the level of the sebaceous gland:

• Hyperseborrhea: this corresponds to the stimulation of sebum production by hormones. This is either because certain hormones, including androgens, are in excess, or because the sebaceous glands are more receptive to androgenic stimulation linked to heredity.

• Hyperkeratinization leads to thickening of the skin and sebum retention. The excess sebum produced is therefore not excreted. The quality of the sebum can also be a factor, because if its viscosity increases, its flow decreases.

• Inflammation and bacterial growth: In cases of sebum overproduction, a bacterium called Propionibacterium acnes multiplies abnormally in the retention follicle. It proliferates preferentially in comedones or microcysts and triggers an inflammatory reaction (pustule, redness, pain, etc.).

A COSMETIC ROUTINE ADAPTED TO HORMONAL ACNE

Our naturopathic and pharmacist experts analyzed nearly 23,000 skin profiles affected by hormonal acne. Together, they developed the Hormonal Acne and Beautiful Skin treatment protocol, a 3-phase routine:

• "Restart": Cleansing and skincare with this cleansing oil-based makeup remover , infused with cornflower and green tea. It helps to avoid disrupting the skin's microbiome and hydrolipidic film. The sebaceous glands won't be stimulated as they might be after using harsh products like micellar water or cleansing gels. The addition of green tea to the formula helps purify pores. Regular cleansing is crucial to limit reactive sebum production: once a day, in the evening, is sufficient. In the morning, rosemary floral water awakens the skin without weakening it.

• "Kill": by applying the targeted, concentrated purifying treatment locally, based on essential oils of Tea Tree, Rosemary, Lavender, and Bitter Orange. A purifying mask, rich in montmorillonite to trap impurities and in zinc for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties. The perfect peel enhances the effectiveness of these treatments and prevents the appearance of new imperfections by refining the skin.

• "Transform": a daytime action, with a purifying emulsified cream-gel , to protect against free radicals and strengthen the skin's natural defenses.

ANTI-ACNE DIET: WHICH FOODS TO CHOOSE?

Our diet plays a vital role in the health of our skin. We must pay attention to it and favor anti-inflammatory foods that are gentle on the gut flora.

Foods to avoid:

• Gluten is primarily found in wheat flour. It is worthwhile to consider products made with other flours such as rice, quinoa, chestnut, or spelt flour.
• Dairy products made from cow's milk can be replaced with plant-based drinks and yogurts.
• Refined sugars are found in processed foods, pastries, and other sweet treats.

Allied foods:

• Foods with a low glycemic index to avoid increasing androgen levels: apple, pear, pecans, cashews, vegetables and legumes.
• Foods that can limit excess insulin in the blood: red fruits, grapes, vegetables, cocoa, green tea, cinnamon, olive oil.
• Omega fatty acids: they reduce inflammation, they are found in oily fish such as salmon, sardines or cold-pressed virgin oils, seeds and oilseeds.
• Zinc: it helps reduce inflammation and diminish acne marks. It is found in seafood and whole grains.
• Herbal medicine plays an important role in treating ailments and complements your diet. Laboté's purifying herbal tea, made with nettle and wild pansy, is recommended as a 30-day course. Infuse the herbs for approximately 10 to 15 minutes in boiling water, then enjoy.

TO GO FURTHER IN THE TREATMENT OF HORMONAL ACNE

Discover the advice of our Laboté naturopaths, experts in demanding skin:

Avoid stress:

Stress causes a significant increase in inflammatory cytokines and can worsen skin problems. It may also stimulate androgen production. For better stress and emotion management, breathing exercises such as heart coherence and regular physical activity are recommended and promote daily relaxation.

Endocrinology assessment:

In cases of severe hormonal acne, contacting an endocrinologist can help rule out several possibilities. This specialist in hormonal disorders intervenes particularly in cases of thyroid dysfunction and reproductive system abnormalities. Through a comprehensive hormonal assessment, the endocrinologist can determine if your acne is related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), common in young women, and ensure there is no risk of diabetes.

Gut microbiota:

The gut microbiota influences the body's metabolism and affects organs when it is out of balance. Since the skin is the body's largest organ, it is beneficial to care for and nourish its microbiota through diet, as well as probiotics and prebiotics tailored to your needs.