Let’s have a chat. The amount of times we hear,

“I just want a product to help with my hormonal acne,”

is everyday. Unfortunately, we do not have any control on your hormones. However, we can definitely provide suggestions on how to help reduce and calm them. Remember, the goal is to have healthy skin and the skin is here to tell you a story about what is happening inside your body. So really, if your period is coming, your skin is telling you that your body is going through changes.

Hormonal acne may be caused by influxes of hormones from your monthly cycle, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), menopause or/and increased androgen levels. The hormonal imbalance results in acne on the bottom of the cheek, jawline or chin which is caused by an increase in androgen levels which increase oil gland production and clogging of pores and overall skin inflammation.

Acne in your late 30’s to early 40’s is a thing. Yup, it will happen again even though we thought we were done with that cycle. This is due to a decline in estrogen levels or an increase in androgen hormones. The body is going through its normal process and we must accept the new changes with a new regime.

The thing with hormones is that, our hormone levels change per day and within the day, the hormone levels are different from morning to night. Thats why it's so important to monitor and change the routine based on your routine that day. Closer to you’ll have an increase in oil production, so you need products to help control excess sebum. But then after the cycle, your skin is a lot more sensitive, so we must hydrate the skin instead of managing the sebum production.

5 ways to help reduce hormonal acne:

1. Reduce or eliminate your dairy intake. Either altogether or simply the week before your cycle.

2. Consuming plant-based foods high in antioxidants may help reduce inflammation and promote clearer skin. Your omega’s will help decrease skin inflammation.

3. Be sure to take your Vitamins: D, B6 and B3.

4. Take care of your gut! Introduce fermented foods, take a pre and probiotic everyday. It is so important to have a strong gut. Everything is connected to the gut. So if the gut is healthy so is every part of your body. We need the good bacteria to boost our immune system and consuming fermented foods will keep your digestive system moving quickly and efficiently.

5. This maybe an odd thing…but are you pooping everyday? Pay attention, it is important to release the toxins.

Helpful products:

We love the Pro Health Serum to help with inflammation in the skin and its very calming. Active Serum is amazing for when you do have acne appearing. Use it the week before the period to see if we can help reduce the increase of oil production.

Lotion MC110 paired with Lotion P50 from Biologique Recherche is a great combo to help deal with hormonal acne. Lotion P50 is something everyone should already have in their routine and the cherry on top for hormonal acne is Lotion MC110. It is to be used 5-10 days before the cycle and can overlap the cycle. MC110 can help because we’re secreting more oil than usual, right? So this formula is stronger and plus it contains Vitamin B to help regulate oils and the lactic acid is to purify and exfoliate.

For some, our skin can be very sensitive during our cycle, using cryo sticks would be a delight to the skin in combinations with Serum Biosensible (strengthen the skin during the cycle). Maybe this week you would want to introduce seabuckthorn oil to reset the skin for the week as it contains omega 3,6,7 and 9!

If you are a mask lover, check out Biomagic, Vivant or Masque Bain De Plantes to help with the over production of sebum.

If your menopausal we recommend Creme MSR-H to help you with regulating the hormonal imbalance. It specifically targets and treats the physiological effects of menopause on the skin. What does this mean? When the skin experiences water loss from hot flashes the hydrating and lipid-restoring platform helps to trap the water molecules for longer hydration. There is marine extract that combats the degradation of menopause on the skin - it helps to thicken the dermis and increase the density of collagen for better skin support. The shiitake extract works on collagen at every stage it its life cycle - it’ll increase collagen synthesis, improve the quality of it and limit its breakdown.

Hormones can suck but your skin doesn't have to! Paying attention to contributing factors will give you a better insight into how to tackle those pesky breakouts before they even appear on the surface. Make a timeline, jot down notes about your skin in the days leading up to your period. If and when the acne surfaces just remember there are products to help. Try not to get frustrated or get down on yourself, we're here to help in any way possible - reach out!