Managing Hormonal Acne: The Do's and Don'ts for Clearer Skin
Acne is a common skin condition that affects many people worldwide. It can be caused by various factors, including genetics, diet, stress, and hormones. Hormonal acne is a type of acne that is caused by hormonal fluctuations in the body, such as during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. Hormonal acne is often characterized by deep, painful cysts that appear along the jawline, chin, and neck. In this article, we'll go over some of the do's and don'ts of treating hormonal acne, including what ingredients to look for and what habits to avoid.
Do’s
Use products with salicylic acid: Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid that helps to exfoliate the skin and unclog pores. It is a great ingredient to look for in your skincare products if you have hormonal acne. Salicylic acid is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce redness and inflammation associated with acne.
Wash your face twice a day: It is essential to cleanse your skin twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. Use a gentle cleanser that does not contain any harsh ingredients that can strip your skin of its natural oils. Harsh cleansers can cause your skin to produce more oil, leading to more breakouts.
Keep your hands off your face: Touching your face can transfer bacteria, oil, and dirt onto your skin, leading to more breakouts. Try to avoid touching your face as much as possible and resist the urge to pop or pick at your pimples.
Drink plenty of water: Drinking plenty of water is essential for maintaining healthy skin. It helps to flush out toxins from your body and keeps your skin hydrated. Dehydrated skin can lead to more breakouts, so make sure you are drinking at least eight glasses of water a day.
Incorporate teas into your diet: To balance hormones from the inside, drink Spearmint and Turmeric teas which are both anti-inflammatory and packed with anti-oxidants that can help to improve your skin quality and prevent acne from forming.
Don’ts
Over-exfoliate: Over-exfoliating can cause more harm than good, especially if you have hormonal acne. It can strip your skin of its natural oils, leading to more breakouts. Stick to exfoliating once or twice a week and use a gentle exfoliator that does not contain any harsh ingredients. If you’re using a chemical exfoliator, make sure the percentage is less than 10%.
Use harsh scrubs: Harsh scrubs can cause micro-tears in your skin, leading to more breakouts. If you have hormonal acne, avoid using scrubs with large, rough particles. Instead, use a gentle exfoliating cleanser with small, round beads.
Pick or pop your pimples: Picking or popping your pimples can cause them to become infected and can lead to scarring. It can also spread bacteria, causing more breakouts. Resist the urge to pick or pop your pimples and let them heal on their own.
Use comedogenic products: Comedogenic products are formulated to clog pores, leading to more breakouts. Look for products that are labeled non-comedogenic, including makeup, sunscreen, and skincare products.
Eat a poor diet: Your diet can play a significant role in the health of your skin. Eating a poor diet, high in processed foods, sugar, and dairy, can lead to more breakouts. Try to eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.
Treating hormonal acne can be challenging, but by following these do's and don'ts, you can help manage your breakouts.