Top 5 Supplements For Hormonal Acne

 

Whilst oily skin and breakouts are a commonly accepted part of your teenage years, acne that persists into your 20’s and 30’s (or begins then) can feel like you drew the short straw of adulthood. 


Acne that continues after adolescence, flares up in the week before your period or decides to grace you with its presence after you come off hormonal birth control is a sign of a hormonal imbalance. My own journey with hormonal acne throughout my 20’s means that when a woman approaches me for advice on hormonal acne, I treat the case very seriously. I fully understand the confidence-crushing effect that adult acne creates. 


What causes hormonal acne?

Your skin health is a reflection of your internal health. Break outs, particularly around the jawline and those which worsen around the time of your period often reflect an underlying hormonal imbalance which triggers the skin to produce excess sebum (skin oil). This excess oil clogs the pores on your face, leading to white and black heads and cystic acne. The skin around the mouth and chin area is particularly sensitive to hormonal fluctuations, which explains why breakouts in this area are often linked with a hormone imbalance. 



Which hormonal imbalance causes acne?

The most common hormone imbalance leading to acne is excess testosterone or androgens (our “male” hormones). As women, we want a healthy level of androgens to support our libido, stable moods and energy. In excess, however, this hormone can cause excess sebum production in your skin, leading to hormonal acne. 

Think you might have a hormonal imbalance? Take my FREE quiz to find out:

 
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Discover your hormonal imbalance

 

What causes high androgens?

There are many causes for excess androgens, however one of the most common reasons is poor blood sugar regulation and excess insulin production. Insulin is the hormone responsible for directing glucose (the sugar from the food we have eaten) to move from the blood into cells where it can be converted to energy or stored. When we have chronically high blood glucose levels (from eating a diet high in sugar and refined flour products like white bread, cakes, pastries), the body produces excess insulin to help move the glucose out of our blood. Insulin has an unfortunate effect of stimulating the ovaries to produce extra testosterone which can lead to hormonal acne as well as irregular periods, unwanted body hair growth and thinning of hair on your head. 

How to treat hormonal acne naturally

Given that the main cause of hormonal acne is excess androgens and poor blood sugar management, natural treatment aims at restoring balance to these two key areas. My top 7 natural treatments for hormonal acne are: 

  1. Inositol for acne 

Imbalanced blood sugar causes your body to ramp up its insulin production which triggers the ovaries to produce more testosterone, worsening adult acne. Inositol is a vitamin similar in structure to a B-vitamin which helps to naturally regulate blood sugar. It does this by improving your sensitivity to insulin, so that your body doesn’t need to create as much to have the same response. In fact, inositol is so powerful at sensitising your body to insulin that one study reported it produced the same effects as Metformin (a common drug used to improve insulin sensitivity in diabetics). 

2. Zinc for acne 

Zinc has so many benefits for your hormones and your period. When it comes to acne, zinc naturally supports the function of your ovaries, which helps to decrease excessive production of androgens. It also inhibits that enzyme we met earlier: 5-alpha reductase, thereby decreasing conversion of testosterone to the potent DHT. Finally, zinc kills the bacteria in our skin that is responsible for acne, reduces inflammation PLUS it supports skin healing and repair. It’s an all-round winner when it comes to adult acne. 

3. Reishi mushroom for acne

Reishi mushroom has been shown to inhibit an enzyme known as 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme converts testosterone to a much more potent form called DHT. DHT causes significantly increased symptoms of androgen excess like hormonal acne and hair thinning. Reishi mushroom has the added bonus of also supporting your immune system (hello less colds in winter!) and stabilises your hypo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is involved in your stress response. Consider adding reishi mushroom to your supplement regime if you are experiencing signs of androgen excess and could also benefit from some immune and stress support. 

4. Berberine for acne

Berberine is an herbal medicine which acts as a mild antibiotic that kills the bacteria in your skin that causes acne. It demonstrated promising results in treating adolescents with moderate to severe acne when compared with placebo. As it acts as a mild antibiotic, it is not advisable to take berberine for longer than 8 weeks at a time as it may affect your healthy gut bacteria

5. Turmeric or curcumin for acne 

The golden spice turmeric is another natural treatment for acne - it acts as a natural anti-inflammatory agent, decreasing inflamed and irritated skin. Along with reducing inflammation, it has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and has significantly improved several skin disorders including acne. 

 
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Are imbalanced hormones causing your hormonal acne, period problems, PMS and hair loss?

 

Have you tried any of the natural treatments above for hormonal acne?

Have they helped?

Let us know your experience in the comments below. 

Now you know which supplements to take for hormonal acne, head on over to my other acne series blogs:

 
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Can’t click the image above? Go here to take my PCOS Root Cause Assessment.

 
 
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Tamika Woods | Nutritionist

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

For a decade, Tamika battled chronic acne, irregular cycles, mood swings, hair loss, painful periods, severe digestive issues and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). You name it - she's been there!

Tam was finally able to clear her skin, regulate her cycle, be free of period pain and fall pregnant naturally with her daughter in 2020. It took Tam 10 years and tens of thousands of dollars in tertiary education to get the answers she needed to get better. She didn’t want other women to suffer as long as she did which is why she has dedicated her life to helping women in the same position as she was.

Tam helps women interpret what their bodies are trying to communicate through frustrating symptoms, and then develop a step-by-step roadmap to find balance again. She's here to help you get on track!

Tamika Woods holds a Bachelor of Health Science degree (Nutritional Medicine) as well as a Bachelor of Education, graduating with Honours in both. She is a certified Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) Educator and a certified member of the Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA).

 
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