Hormonal acne is a skin condition that, as its name suggests, results from a variation in hormone levels.
This imbalance disrupts sebum production, the oily substance that contributes to the skin’s barrier. The result? Produced in excess, sebum tends to clog the hair follicles from which it originates.
When the pore is clogged, a pimple forms.
But be careful! This does not mean that your skin is automatically oily: dry skin can also produce a lot of sebum during hormonal acne.
This leads to all sorts of pimples (papules, pustules, nodules, cysts) that are mainly found on the lower face (chin, neck, jawline), although they can appear elsewhere.
Hormonal acne mainly affects women because they experience more fluctuations than men. Menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and contraception can influence hormone levels.
If your pimples appear cyclically, such as during the premenstrual phase (the famous PMS!), or following a known hormonal disturbance, there is a good chance your acne is hormonal. Here, I present six natural solutions to treat it effectively.
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1. Essential Oils
The most well-known natural remedy for reducing the appearance of pimples is the application of essential oils with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties.
Tea tree is a particularly renowned essential oil for reducing red pimples and pustules due to its broad-spectrum antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory capabilities.
It also helps dry out the pimple, facilitating its disappearance.
Other essential oils with similar properties can naturally treat acne: true lavender oil, rose geranium oil, palmarosa oil, and also manuka oil.
When applying this type of product, ensure to use it only on the affected area using a cotton swab, and after dilution in a vegetable oil (jojoba, argan, etc.).
Essential oils are powerful and need to be used cautiously. For pregnant and breastfeeding women, consult your doctor and pharmacist regarding the contraindications of each of these essential oils.
2. Zinc
Zinc is an essential trace element for the proper functioning of the body. It is found in foods: offal and other meats, dairy products, eggs, legumes, whole grains, etc.
But also in the form of dietary supplements.
Also used by dermatologists, zinc has properties:
- antioxidant
- anti-inflammatory that limits sebum secretion
- healing, reducing bacterial proliferation and accelerating the skin’s healing process
This trace element is therefore an ally to naturally fight acne due to hormonal imbalance.
Read also | Pharmacist’s advice before buying zinc
3. Burdock
The root of burdock (Arctium Lappa) is a plant listed in the French pharmacopeia as able to act on skin diseases related to excess sebum.
Its role? It helps purify the skin, limit inflammation, and reduce sebum production, but also to reduce the bacterial proliferation of P.acnes, the bacteria responsible for acne.
It can be taken orally through decoctions or dietary supplements, or by applying a poultice directly on the skin.
4. Clay Masks
Clay is a natural rocky material well-present in cosmetic sections and rich in trace elements. It is especially known for its absorbent capacities that regulate sebum secretion, dry out pimples, and fight bacterial proliferation.
Green clay is the most well-known, but it is also the most drying. If your skin is sensitive, I think it would be wiser to turn to white or pink clay, which is less harsh on the skin.
This is not a miracle solution! So, don’t apply it every day. By over-drying your skin, it might feel attacked and react by producing more sebum. That’s not really the goal!
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has healing, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. And yes, it also possesses these essential abilities to naturally fight acne.
Its astringent action regulates sebum production, while its regenerating side helps heal pimples.
Moreover, it is rich in antioxidant vitamins and trace elements like zinc, which is itself useful for saying goodbye to those famous pimples!
Read also | Aloe Vera, the Moisturizing Plant to Enjoy
6. Steam Baths
Steam baths are not miraculous, but they remain a good option to combat hormonal acne. Don’t worry, you don’t need to turn your bathroom into a sauna to make one.
Place your head over a steaming bowl of water to which you can add acne-fighting plants (tea tree essential oil, rosemary leaf, lavender water) and let it work. Don’t burn yourself!
Your pores will dilate, and some of the excess sebum can be liquefied to be expelled.
Good Daily Habits
Plants, cosmetics, and other tricks to naturally combat acne are good solutions.
But all this requires a good foundation first! So, consider establishing a few daily habits:
- avoid touching your face too much to limit bacterial proliferation
- choose appropriate skincare for your skin type
- don’t strip your skin with harsh products and irritating scrubs
- remove makeup every night (yes, even when you return late from a night out and are too tired)
- include antioxidants and omega-3s in your diet
- hydrate sufficiently
- avoid excessive sun exposure.
Finally, if you tend to be stressed, practicing yoga, meditation, cardiac coherence, or sophrology could help you relieve your stress.
Nevertheless, if natural treatments still aren’t enough and your hormonal acne symptoms persist or worsen, consider consulting a dermatologist.
Acne remains a condition that should not be taken lightly.
What Causes Hormonal Acne?
A Hormonal Imbalance
Diet, tobacco, pollution: these factors are generally cited as causes of hormonal acne. However, it is not scientifically proven!
Even though a healthy lifestyle can help improve the appearance of the skin, it does not seem that the opposite leads to unsightly pimples.
And to dispel some misconceptions, no, hormonal acne does not come from a lack of hygiene!
There is no secret: it’s a hormonal imbalance that causes the appearance of blackheads and other issues.
The cause? An excess of androgen hormones (testosterone) or a disorder in the production of estrogen and progesterone. In fact, all stages of a woman’s life—menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, or stopping contraceptive pills—disrupt hormone levels.
An Overproduction of Sebum
As a result, the sebaceous glands may become overstimulated, producing sebum in larger quantities, clogging the pores, and facilitating the growth of acne-causing bacteria.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a thyroid condition, or even stress can also directly or indirectly lead to hormonal acne.
