Acne Hormone Link

You have probably heard that acne is closely connected to hormonal disruptions. Let’s break down exactly what this means.

Think of hormones as being regulators or even managers. They let your organs know how fast or slow they should be working. For example, when you run hormones are released so when you sweat your body cools down, or when you are tired hormones are released to help you fall asleep.

When the body’s hormones are out of balance, your oil glands start producing too much oil (sebum). Because the body can’t eliminate this excessive amount of oil fast enough, the oil mixes with dead skin cells which are always falling off your skin causing clogged pores. Typically harmless bacteria love this warm environment of excess oil, limited oxygen and dead skin cells. To make matters worse the spots eventually have to burst and while doing so they infect surrounding areas of skin. The end result is a vicious cycle that feeds upon itself.

Because of all this unwanted activity going on in your skin, the immune system comes into play as it tries to fight infection. The areas of acne are flooded with armies of white blood cells that launch an attack on the invading bacteria. This then results in increased redness and inflammation around the area and also the unpleasant substance known as ‘pus’.

The hormone ‘androgen’ is responsible for all this extra oil being produced and when your body is tense it releases a stress hormone called cortisol which also increases the skin’s oil production, making you prone to getting pimples.

Drug-based treatments like Accutane or various other steroids attempt to reduce the levels of the hormones. But instead of doing it naturally, they force entire body systems to slow down which is an extremely dangerous practice. No wonder Accutane is such a controversial drug. People have reportedly committed suicide after taking it (due to depression) and its other side effects include hair loss, liver damage and bone degeneration.

Both males and females can suffer from hormonal induced acne, however males are likely to suffer more from teenage acne whereas females can carry on battling with acne way into their 30’s because of the natural cycles they go through. Some women can suddenly break out with acne during adulthood without any prior history at all and pregnancy, menopause, or another hormone related cycle is often the cause too.

In the last years of childhood, many changes occur within the human body. Androgen hormone are produced at high rates in both males and females during and after puberty, that’s why teens tend to suffer from hormonal acne worst of all.

So what’s the solution?

Of course these hormones cannot be seen on the surface of your skin therefore you must treat the imbalance internally. There are a number of steps required to naturally bring your hormones back into balance.

• You should begin by detoxifying the liver and digestive system – see our acne skin care guide
• Balance your stress hormone levels with good sleep and stress management.
• Level out blood sugar and insulin
• Replenish the nutrients needed to make thyroid hormone

Once your hormones are in balance  the acne will begin to disappear. You’ll also be reducing the chances of developing serious hormone related disorders later on in life.