One of the largest organs that you have is the skin, which also happens to be the most visible. Everything ends up on display – breakouts, bumps, tone unevenness… With all the skin conditions out in the open, your self-esteem can really take a hit, especially if you’re not happy with how your skin looks.
Then what do you do next? To conceal the imperfections, you spend tons of money on harsh skin treatments that dry out the skin while heavy foundations clog up the pores, only making matters worse. You end up feeling frustrated and hopeless. We know that feeling! We’ve been there. And we’re here to help by showing how to clear up hormonal acne.
But is hormonal acne to blame? The readers often ask – How do I know if I have hormonal acne? Have a look at the 5 common hormonal acne signs, pinpoint your skin offender, and learn how to clear up hormonal acne with the tips below.
How do I know if I have hormonal acne: the signs
First off, you’ll want to find out what’s causing your skin imperfections. One of the most common causes is hormonal acne. But how do you know if it’s the actual culprit? Here are the tell-tale signs:
- Hormonal acne, as the name suggests, is caused by hormonal fluctuations, common in your teenage years. But not only teenagers struggle with it. If you’re 20+, 30+, or even 50+ years old and still get spots, it’s likely you’re dealing with hormonal acne.
- Spots and bumps on your chin, along the jawline and cheeks, are usually indicative of imbalanced hormones, pointing to hormonal acne.
- How do I know if I have hormonal acne? If skin breakouts appear monthly, they’re caused by hormonal fluctuations related to your cycle.
- If the breakouts on your skin tend to be deep and cystic-like, it’s most likely hormonal.
- Constant stress. If you’re in a chronic state of stress, your body is triggered to produce excess cortisol, which is a hormone directly linked to hormonal breakouts and the so-called hormone belt.
So, how do I know if I have hormonal acne? If you nodded your head to at least one of the five points above, you’ve now got a clue. And you may be wondering – how to clear up hormonal acne? The truth is, skin conditions like this can be very stubborn. And we’ve had our share of struggles. But with the right mindset and treatment, you CAN do something to improve the condition of your skin visibly.
And this might sound counterintuitive, but you probably don’t need aggressive chemicals like salicylic acid. Even though strong acid-based treatments are marketed as a shortcut to a great complexion, they can damage your skin and set your healing way back.
How to clear up hormonal acne
Once the “How do I know if I have hormonal acne” question has been answered, you can move on to the action part! There are many different ways to healthy, glowing skin. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of treatment options with their pros and cons for you to consider. Learn how to clear up hormonal acne and get your confidence back!
- Exfoliation – it helps to rid of dead skin cells, which in turn prevents the formation of clogged pores. Choose from a range of different products: sponges, creams, and gels. We prefer cotton pads which won’t irritate the skin, yet will break up and fully remove the dead skin, uncovering the glow beneath. However, if you’re using gels or creams, be careful to not over-exfoliate – you don’t want to irritate your skin further.
- Nourishment – pamper your skin from the inside by tweaking the way you eat. Try to include more whole grain products instead of refined carbs and reduce your intake of sugary stuff like soda, alcohol, or sweets. Some people reported seeing improvement in their skin when they lowered their consumption or completely removed dairy from their diet. You can also try omega 3 fish oil, which may aid in managing sebum production and calm down inflammation. Yet the results of proper nutrition won’t show instantly as your body will need time to flush the toxins and other harmful substances from your system.
- Taking it easy and relaxing more. Meditate or try out yoga, deep breathing, and longer walks, write down your thoughts, take up knitting or drawing, anything to take your mind off things that are bothering you. However, we all understand that eliminating stress altogether may not be an option in some cases. Having experienced chronic stress means your body needs to re-adapt and learn to relax, which might take some time.
- Look out for natural ingredients like a flower and plant distillates: calendula, cucumber, witch hazel, rosehip – all of which have been shown to have calming and inflammation-reducing properties. Another ingredient that is often overlooked is zinc oxide, which soothes irritated skin. Minerals like French pink clay will purify the skin, draw out toxins and dead skin cells for a brighter complexion. Just a quick heads up – don’t expect to have the results overnight. Even the most potent plants and minerals need time to work their magic. And though you may be feeling impatient, all we have to say is take it easy, girl. We’ve been there ourselves! The results will totally be worth it.
Clearing up hormonal breakouts takes time
If you ever asked yourself – how do I know if I have hormonal acne, then we hope you found some guidance here.
On their own, these methods and ingredients might improve your skin condition over time. According to Averr Aglow, their experience and client testimonials show that a synergistic combination of all these steps is the way to go.
As long as you take a holistic approach and draw up a plan, which encompasses skincare with nutrient-dense ingredients, diet, and stress management, you’re well on your way towards your goal. We’ve shown you ways on how to clear up hormonal acne. Now it’s up to you! Just remember to set yourself up for success. New skin-friendly habits will eventually form, leading to more radiant skin and a boost in confidence.