Acne and Hormones

How Hormones Effect Acne

An issue of the body’s elimination organs.

Acne is known as the condition of the androgens and is highly impacted by insulin (blood sugar levels). 

Acne can be the result of high free levels of testosterone (primary androgen) which can come from gut issues, poor liver detoxification, poor nutrition, high stress and if we are deficient in our other hormones. This is impacted by contraception, stress, or environmental hormonal exposure. 

Androgens increase the sebum produced in Acne prone spots that produces excess sebum and hyper keratinisation, this is the prime environment for pimples to develop, and a food source for bacteria of the skin.

On top of this we add the gut-skin relationship, both have roles in allergy and detoxification, and what happens is our gut health is usually reflected on our skin. Therefore, we might find short term fixes with antibiotics as bacteria in the gut have a big impact on our immune system, systemic inflammation, detoxification, and liver function. Although short term fixes such as antibiotics may bypass the root cause of Acne, which are, gut health, dysregulated blood sugar, lymphatic system, and hormonal imbalances.

Herbal interventions can help dampen the inflammation, improve the lymphatics, and modulate the gut. There are also nutrients key in skin health such as Zinc, Vitamin A, and selenium. A Naturopathic approach will include lifestyle and nutritional changes, as well as products that will help optimise skin barrier function and inner health. 

Talk to Cellf today for all your acne and other hormone problems. For other hormone related topics see What is Hormone Support?