Acne are not simple pimple or bump, they occur when the level of androgens (male sex hormones) increases, which causes the glands in the skin to secrete extra oil (sebum) around hair follicles. The result is clogged pores and the dead skin cells that would normally rise to the surface of the skin to be washed away accumulate under the plugged pores. Unfortunately, all of us in some period of our lives have had problems with acne. If you are in that period right now here are 12 tips that will help you get rid of them.
12 Natural Tips To Reduce Hormonal Acne Breakout
1. Dairy and Acne
Many people today, are sensitive to the proteins in dairy. This sensitivity can cause inflammation in the body which stimulates acne. What’s worse, non-organic milk in most cases contains hormones that directly interfere with ours and with that it causes a hormone imbalance. So if you have problems with acne it’s best to avoid dairy. But, if you’re going to keep drinking dairy, have in mind that full-fat milk is less likely to cause acne.
2. Avoid Refined Carbs
According to The American Academy of Dermatologists, carbohydrates high on the glycemic (sugar) index contribute to acne. This means that foods such as candy and soda, white bread, potato chips, and white potatoes can raise blood sugar levels very quickly. When you eat this kind of food the body produces various hormones to regulate blood sugar, inflammation occurs, and acne appears.
3. Enjoy Sunny Weather
Contrary to popular belief, sunshine is actually very good for your skin. It’s the best source of vitamin D and what’s more importantly for acne, the red and blue rays of the sun kill the bacteria that cause it.
4. Tea Tree Oil for Acne
Tea tree oil is a natural antibiotic that kills the bacteria causing your condition.
Tea Tree Oil with Olive Oil Wash
Olive oil has antibacterial properties and many nutrients that promote skin health, it removes oil and other toxins from pores and moisturizes the skin.
How to use this wash:
- Mix 2 tablespoons of organic extra virgin olive oil and 3 drops of tea tree oil
- Apply the mixture on the affected area using a cotton ball
- Leave this mixture on for 20-30 minutes.
- Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
- Repeat daily and regularly for best results.
5. Switch to a Low Sodium Diet
Processed and fast foods contain high levels of sodium and these foods are not good for your skin because of the high amounts of sugar, synthetic chemicals, trans fats, and lack of nutrients they contain. Also, high sodium levels lead to inflammation in the body, which can cause acne and other health concerns.
6. Relieve your Stress
When you’re subjected to stress, your body produces various different hormones. So you should be aware that chronic stress will affect your general hormone balance and compromise your immune system.
7. Take Raw Probiotics
It is essential to have appropriate levels of “good” bacteria in the body in order to eliminate harmful bacteria. Probiotics can also reduce inflammation that causes the acne.
To discourage acne, try these probiotic foods:
- Apple cider vinegar (raw, unfiltered, organic)
- Kimchi
- Kombucha
- Sauerkraut
- Kefir
8. Eliminate Coffee
Coffee in moderate amounts can even be good for you. But, when it comes to acne, it’s not such a great thing:
- The caffeine in coffee can stimulate stress hormones.
- Coffee can interfere with the metabolism of blood glucose and by that it can increase insulin levels and affect general hormone balance.
- Coffee affects healthy gut flora which can lead to inflammation and immune response as a result.
- It contains microscopic fungi that affect estrogen levels and compromise the immune system.
9. Increase Anti-inflammatory Foods
As I already said, inflammation in the body can lead to acne. If you add anti-inflammatory foods to your diet it will promote overall health and reduce the odds of a bout of acne. Here are some foods you can incorporate to your diet:
Herbs and Spices:
- Black pepper and turmeric
- Cinnamon
- Ginger
Foods:
- Aloe
- Avocado
- Beets
- Berries
- Celery
- Citrus
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Fish (sardines, salmon, other fatty fish)
- Leafy green vegetables
- Tomatoes
10. Balance Your Hormones
If the cause of your acne is a hormone imbalance, here are some things you can do to keep the balance in your body:
- Regular exercise can relieve you from stress and support your immune system.
- Consume foods that alkalinize the body and keeps the balance of hormone production, such as beans, lentils, organic poultry and eggs, peppers, cabbage, coconut oil, and flax seeds are a few.
- Have a good-quality sleep, because it gives the body a chance to recover and recalibrate.
- Herbal tea, such as chamomile, fenugreek, ginkgo Biloba, lavender, mango leaves, and spearmint are all great for keeping balance.
- Inhale essential oils
- Take an Epsom salt bath
- Keep your home free of endocrine disrupting chemicals.
11. Washing Your Face
It’s very important to be very careful about the things you put on your skin. The chemicals that are contained in soaps and facial washes can interfere with the natural oils and hormones and irritate your skin.
- Apple cider vinegar is a natural antiseptic that is very effective in unclogging pores and removing excess oils from the skin.
- Coconut oil is full of vitamins and antioxidants, it nourishes the skin, contains medium-chain fatty acids that get to the root of the cause of acne.
- Green tea is very rich with antioxidants. Rinsing your face with green tea can reduce the acne-causing bacteria on the skin and drinking it supports skin health from the inside.
12. Allergy Test
In some cases, the cause of your acne may not be hormonal, but an allergic reaction. If you think that this is the case, eliminate dairy and wheat right off the top to make a difference, as these are common allergens. If this doesn’t help, it is wise to make a trip to your healthcare practitioner, because they’ll be able to determine if you have an allergy or sensitivity of which you may not be aware.