There are many things to blame our acne on, including diet, weather and stress. But one area that many people tend to overlook is the link between acne and hormones. Hormones are responsible for the maturation of the oil glands in our skin, and hormonal acne is mostly seen in women due to the different natural cycles they go through, including menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. A majority of the time, acne is caused by male hormones known as androgens, which creates excess oil that clogs hair follicles, leading to bacteria growth and blemishes. Read
8 Ways Your Skin Care Regimen Should Change With Your Menstrual Cycle for a list of ways to deal with your period, acne and hormones every day of the month.
There are numerous ways that you can treat acne and hormones simultaneously. For one, your dermatologist can prescribe a low dose birth control pill or androgen receptor blocker, which will reduce acne by keeping the level of androgens in your body steady. Another popular supplement used to treat hormonal acne is spironolactone, which also helps reduce body hair growth in women as a result of excess testosterone in the system. Visit a hormone specialist for more treatment options and be sure to maintain a good cleansing and skin care routine in order to properly manage acne and hormones. Check out
Skin Care Secrets From A Celebrity Facialist for secrets to making your skin look its best.