My pores and skin beloved being pregnant. However round sixth months postpartum, it took a flip for the more serious. Whereas I’ve handled gentle brow breakouts on and off since school, I by no means had zits or breakouts on my jaw and cheek. That’s, till this previous yr. I eat a clear and nourishing diet, use natural high-powered skincare, and put a whole lot of effort into supporting my well being holistically. Regardless of at all times being on prime of my weight loss program skincare sport, I now discover myself navigating the problem of how you can clear hormonal zits.
Featured picture by Hannah Zahner.
How I Cleared Up My Hormonal Acne
While I’m obsessed with skincare, I don’t love the idea that you need 20 serums to get results. In my quest to learn how to clear hormonal acne, I had carts filled with hundreds of dollars worth of skincare, ready to pull the trigger to do whatever I could to clear my skin up.
Thankfully, I took a breather and remembered that there’s more to skin health than just throwing products at it. Skin is a reflection of your internal health. And whereas sure, I’ve discovered new merchandise which have supported my pores and skin’s well being alongside the way in which, there have been some main non-product-related steps that had been essential when determining how you can clear hormonal zits.
I’ll be sincere. I nonetheless get breakouts and don’t fairly have the pores and skin of my goals, nevertheless it’s so a lot better. I’ve discovered what works for me. And belief me: the steps beneath have made a tremendous distinction. I’m joyful to have discovered a rhythm that feels sustainable and long-term. And because of the clear merchandise in my lineup, I gained’t want to change out an excessive amount of once I get pregnant once more.
My Hormonal Acne Journey: Before and After
But before we dive in, a before and after. My skin type is regular/dry with recent congestion and hormonal breakouts. The first photo was taken in November 2020 (so inflamed!), the middle photo in March 2021 as things were starting to calm down, and the after was taken in June 2021. Still some pigmentation, but so much better.
This is by no means meant to be a step-by-step instructional or medical advice. Everyone’s skin and body is different! But I find that reading about other people’s journeys is so helpful and can spark ideas of how to clear hormonal acne. Chat with your skincare professional if you’re feeling stuck. If everything below feels like a lot, keep in mind, I’ve incorporated these things over a year and started with the products I had already before slowly adding others in.
Scroll on for what I’ve learned, both internally as well as topically with (pregnancy- and breastfeeding-friendly!) products.
10 Tips to Help Clear Hormonal Acne
Shift your mindset
Breakouts suck. Everyone wants glowy flawless skin, and as a makeup artist and beauty writer, I didn’t love that I couldn’t seem to get things under control. But taking the pressure and stress off my skin was a game changer. I stopped saying things like, “ugh my skin is so bad right now!” when chatting with my sisters or friends.
Skin is neither good nor bad. It just is.
Mine was doing the best it could. And honestly, breakouts are a very common way for your skin to signal something’s up. When things are feeling extra frustrating, I pause, take a deep breath and talk to my skin and body like I would a friend. I thank my skin for working so hard and I release any pressure I’m feeling for it to look a certain way. My hormonal breakouts are a clue that my body is needing more support.
Seek help from professionals
I love a good health puzzle and enjoy researching and educating myself on how to best care for my body. But sometimes, professional help can do wonders. This was definitely the case when trying to determine how to clear hormonal acne.
So I went to the source and visited Dr. Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce. She advisable a few merchandise which have given my pores and skin the increase it wants. Moreover, she shared insights into breastfeeding-safe merchandise and hormonal pores and skin breakouts that helped piece collectively what was occurring.
Acupuncturist and facialist Brooke Taylor at The Road Acupuncture is the most effective for trying on the pores and skin holistically. A mixture of conventional and cosmetic-focused acupuncture, microcurrent, gua sha, and facial massage at all times left my pores and skin glowing, and breakouts cleared at report velocity after a facial therapy.
For extractions, slightly than taking issues into my very own fingers—actually—I made an appointment with a trusted facialist. I’m not fairly on the level of doing month-to-month facials however am at present utilizing them as a instrument when my pores and skin wants some further TLC.
Get to the foundation of your hormonal zits
It’s fairly widespread for pores and skin to take a dive on account of the postpartum-crashing hormones. This may result in dry, simply irritated, and acne-prone pores and skin. I discovered quite a bit from Dr. Geddes-Bruce, who shared that, particularly throughout breastfeeding, the hormone your physique produces to stimulate milk (prolactin) results in a state of lowered estrogen, which normally provides us that rosy glow throughout being pregnant.
On the whole, there are a selection of issues that may trigger hormonal breakouts. Generally, the liver is needing extra help to clear extra hormones or it may be brought on by extra androgens (the extra “male” associated hormones that each one ladies make in lesser quantities).
You may inform your breakouts are hormonal if they’re deep, cystic, and have an effect on areas the place androgens exert their results—the decrease cheeks, jawline, chin, and neck. Dr. Geddes-Bruce’s prime ideas for hormonal zits embrace:
- at all times cleaning your face earlier than mattress
- preserving a constant, tailor-made skincare routine
- avoiding selecting
Should you’re nonetheless having bother with hormonal breakouts, you may also think about a trial of avoiding dairy and high-glycemic meals.
Change your pillowcase
I know, duh. But once again, post-baby life left me not as diligent as I usually would be. I try to change it every two to three days. To keep it simple, I keep a stack of a few clean pillowcases in my nightstand. I additionally attempt to do it within the morning whereas we’re making our mattress in order that I don’t skip once I really feel too drained at evening.
Go straightforward in your intestine
I had reintroduced dairy after being dairy-free for over 5 years (and perhaps did an excessive amount of too quick). However the zits clued me in that I wanted to again off and work on my intestine some extra earlier than attempting dairy once more. I’ve targeted on therapeutic issues like bone broth, fermented meals, each day collagen/gelatin, dietary supplements like probiotics, and ION Biome. One of many straightforward methods I incorporate these things is a each day scoop of collagen into my morning chai and gelatin gummies for a fast snack. I’ve been in a position so as to add top quality, grassfed uncooked dairy and really feel nice!
Support your liver
Hormonal acne is often a symptom of liver congestion. Liver help is one thing I’m at all times doing, however I’ve labored to place a contact extra effort in right here. You don’t actually need to do hardcore liver detoxing whereas nursing or pregnant. A number of of the issues I’ve beloved for mild help are herbs like milk thistle and dandelion root, dry brushing, and castor oil packs which help detox pathways. (I simply began these castor oil packs at 18 months postpartum. Examine along with your physician if pregnant or breastfeeding). I’ve additionally integrated some acupuncture and chiropractic to assist guarantee my physique is zinging alongside.
Maintain your fingers off your face
Sadly, I like selecting at my face. I did a two-week problem to not contact my face in any respect, besides once I was doing my skincare routine. My pores and skin regarded higher than ever! My aesthetician at all times says: keep a sink’s lengths away out of your face. Nothing good occurs whenever you lean in. And let’s be actual, nobody actually is ever your pores and skin that shut.
Double cleanse (and sometimes triple cleanse)
While I never go to bed without washing my face, my cleansing had gotten hurried and rushed and turned into a quick scrub and splash of water. Adding a double cleanse, with an oil cleanse as the first step, has been one of the keys to clearing my skin. I ordered a pack of 12 black cotton washcloths and have all of them rolled up so I don’t should stress about discovering a clear towel. I wash them on the finish of the week they usually’re able to go!
At evening, I normally oil cleanse, then comply with with a mild exfoliating cleanser. From there, I’ll use a cotton spherical and a mild toner to complete off my cleaning course of earlier than making use of the remainder of my skincare. Within the mornings, I give my face an intensive splash with chilly water, adopted by a wipe down with a cotton spherical and my toner. I’ve discovered doing a standard cleanse within the morning over-dried my pores and skin and left it feeling tight.
Don’t underestimate the power of a simple clay mask
For now, I tucked away all my fancy fun masks and kept it simple with a clay mask a few times a week. I was inspired by Stephanie Liu Hjelmeseth’s routine of a each day clay masks. It’s low cost (like $12 for a tub that can final you eternally low cost), efficient, and cleanses with out going overboard.
Maintain pores and skin hydrated
My pores and skin has at all times leaned towards the drier aspect, which felt sophisticated since my pores and skin was breaking out. I didn’t need to clog my pores but in addition didn’t need to dry out my pores and skin and compound the problem. I began utilizing a three-step hydration system that can degree up your moisturizer sport and be ultra-healing to the pores and skin barrier and any zits.
- After cleaning, maintain pores and skin damp with water.
- Apply a spritz of toner for added hydration. (Add a hyaluronic serum right here afterward as pores and skin tolerates it.)
- Lastly, layer on moisturizer.
How to Clear Hormonal Acne With Clean Products
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If it makes you happy, slather on all the products. But for most of us, a few well-formulated products are more than enough. During the healing process, I majorly paired back the products I was using and kept things simple for a few months. Thorough cleansing, moisture, consistency, and a little extra time have made a world of difference in clearing my skin. I honestly didn’t need anything too crazy intense to clear things up. I started with what I had then slowly tweaked a couple products that weren’t working for me.
My core skincare routine includes one of each: an oil cleanser, gentle cleanser, toner, and moisturizer.
Here are the clean products that have worked well for my skin to soothe, clear, and hydrate without creating congestion and breakouts.
Oil Cleansers
Gentle Cleansers
Toners
Moisturizers
The Actives
To take things to the next level, I added a couple more products to my routine. And now that my breakouts are calmed and under control, I’m slowly incorporating products to continue nurturing my skin and heal any discoloration left over. These are a few of the things I’m loving.
Azelaic acid
This is one of the key products that have helped calm and clear my skin. I first hit my skin hard with a cocktail of acids, hoping that would clear up the congestion. I soon realized that I overdid it, breaking down the skin barrier and further inflaming my skin and acne. I backed off all peels and acid formulas before carefully adding any back in. After my derm recommended it, I started using azelaic acid and found it to be the most gentle and effective so far.
Hyaluronic serum
I’ve been layering this under my moisturizer for an added boost as I continue to repair and replenish my skin barrier. After a quick spray with my toner, I smooth this on before applying my moisturizer.
Vitamin C
I love that the formula is a powder, which means it doesn’t need any potentially problematic preservatives. Plus, because it lasts quite a long time, you only need a tiny pinch. Mix into your serum or moisturizer for a potent boost in free radical protection, smoothing fine lines, brightening your complexion, and fading of any acne, scars, and pigmentation.
Retinol
Now that I’m really backing off of breastfeeding, I’ve added a low 0.25% prescription tretinoin. I can already see an amazing difference. If you’re curious about safety during breastfeeding, I had the same question.
Dr. Geddes-Bruce shared that while most products that target acne are safe for breastfeeding mothers (granted that you aren’t applying them directly to your nipples), the only topical of question is retinoids. In general, most people avoid retinoids in nursing mothers. However, Dr. Geddes-Bruce believes that the data behind that decision is lacking. If you’re unsure, be sure to speak to your dermatologist. If you don’t have a prescription for it, the below retinoid serum is amazing for acne-prone skin.
This is really the only thing I’ll be dropping when I get pregnant again.
This post was originally published on July 4, 2021, and has since been updated.
