Highly Effective Solutions For Hormonal Acne

Highly Effective Solutions For Hormonal Acne

Hormonal Acne: Why It Happens and How to Treat It

Whether you’re 45 or 15, if every time you look in the mirror and you notice an eruption of acne, then you may not be treating your skin/the acne the right way. No matter what your age, hormonal acne can have you looking droopy faced one day and Miss Sunshine on another. The best way to keep your skin blemish-free on any sort of long-term basis is to follow a regime using the right products; diligence in your routine is peremptory. If you’re dealing with what you think is hormonal acne, then keep reading to learn what causes acne in the first place, plus highly effective solutions for hormonal acne to help you get a handle on your hormonal breakouts once and for all!

Is It Hormones?

Acne is triggered by bacteria that live on our skin. It essentially draws its life source from the excessive oil produced by the hormones in our body, which creates an ideal environment for it to thrive. High pollution levels in our city cause dirt to clog the pores while the build-up of dead skin cells reduces the breathability of our skin, resulting in a breakout. Stress also plays a significant role and then, we have our diet and the skin products we use that can make a difference too.

You’re a typical hormonal-acne patient if even well past puberty acne seems to be right around the corner every time you go through hormonal changes which could include monthly period cycles. Hormonal acne can be relatively easy to combat, but in very severe cases you may end up getting stuck in a vicious cycle of acne breakouts and new skincare regimens.

The secret to zapping away hormonal acne successfully is to choose a treatment that you can follow consistently. Patience comes next to consistency; you may hence have to wait for up to two to three months to ensure that the treatments are effective. In a world where everyone believes in quick fixes, this seems to be the toughest part. As I’ve mentioned earlier, a consistent routine is key ~ follow it religiously to ensure that your skin clears up and you have a permanent solution to your acne problem.

Find a System and Stick to It

This is true of even very mild cases. If you have decided to go with a particular treatment, then make sure that you follow the routine of using a cleanser, mild exfoliant, and your treatment product; doing this every day will help reduce acne and improve your skin. If you quit too early and decide to switch products, then your skin will have to adjust to a new treatment all over again and you would only end up with an incomplete regimen that may eventually lead to another acne breakout.

OTC Ingredients

While over-the-counter products may help you fight acne to a certain extent, to treat the hormonal component of acne, I would advise you to consult with a skin specialist. But to help clear your skin of dead cells and dirt, you could use salicylic acid which has a mild antibacterial effect and is easily available at the drug store. Salicylic acid is also known as willow bark {essentially the main ingredient that makes aspirin} and is useful in clearing clogged pores and reducing acne-related inflammation. However, to target acne bacteria more effectively, you may use Salicylic acid in a preparation that includes benzoyl peroxide. You may notice some dryness or irritation when using benzoyl peroxide, but if you decide not to use it, then make sure that your cleansing routine is an effective one. Tea-tree oil can be used as a substitute for benzoyl peroxide as it is known for its anti-bacterial properties as well.

You will also find Vitamin A or retinol which is available over-the-counter to be useful for fighting acne breakouts. It helps in gentle exfoliation and has mild anti-bacterial properties as well. Good quality retinol are highly regarded for their ability to treat acne and reduce signs of ageing, although Vitamin C is also known to treat acne and fight free radical damage to skin cells.

Additionally, there are overnight clay masks and spot treatment clays which you will find beneficial for treating acne. And, just like charcoal draws out all impurities from water, natural charcoal beauty products can help purify skin and give it a natural glow.

I’m not particularly fond of the dryness caused by alcohol-based toners which are often considered to be good for treating acne. Quite contrary to popular belief the eventual drying of the skin leads to more oil production creating an acne-suitable environment on your skin. Non-alcohol toners or witch hazel can be better alternatives for a more effective treatment. I have also known Tea Tree Oil Cleansing Facial Pads to be good for cleaning the skin before using an acne treatment cream.

What to Eat

Skin specialists agree that your diet can significantly affect your skin. This is probably why there seems to be so much discussion on diets when you are dealing with acne. Dairy and high-glycemic foods doubtlessly play a part, while high sugar diets or foods that can increase inflammation are popular culprits for acne-prone skin. You can explore different diets like the low carbohydrate diet or even a vegan diet to find out what works best for you when combating hormonal acne.

Dermatologist Office Solutions

If you’ve made a concerted effort with over-the-counter regimens and/or diet and still aren’t seeing results, then it may be time for you to visit a dermatologist. Depending on the findings of the doctor and the condition of the acne, you may be prescribed retinol, topical treatment creams, antibiotics, or blue light treatments like Isolaze. Also, an easy way to tackle acne scars is to use light lasers like Clear and Brilliant which can clean the pores and reduce the redness or brownish tones of your skin caused by old acne lesions.

Oral antibiotics usually represent the less-travelled route for treating acne, but in severe hormonal-acne cases, oral antibiotics can be very effective. Birth control pills and hormone-mitigating medications can be used in treating more-severe acne as well. Accutane is a more aggressive oral antibiotic that can be used to treat severe cases of hormonal acne but it must be taken with care since it is known to cause birth defects when taken during pregnancy, and it can also lead to severe dryness of the skin. Used correctly, it can be something of a miracle for people who’ve tried everything and failed.

Most situations are thankfully much less dire and can be treated with a firm regimen and constant vigilance. Try these highly effective solutions for hormonal acne to ensure you keep your skin clear.

Disclaimer: This content, including advice, provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information.