How to Treat Hormonal Acne Naturally

Diet and lifestyle changes can help to clear hormonal acne.

While acne commonly afflicts teenagers, many men and women struggle with the condition well into adulthood. Hormonal acne, also known as adult acne, results from an underlying imbalance of hormones. Fast-paced lifestyles and inadequate diets add to the core issues and further exacerbate these imbalances. Although conventional medicine offers treatments for hormonal acne, some people seek a more natural approach to manage the condition and avoid side effects caused by prescription topical treatments and hormone-balancing drugs. Several diet and lifestyle changes can bring equilibrium back into those wayward hormones and lead to a clearer complexion.

Things You'll Need

• Natural mild facial cleanser
• Herbal anti-acne serum or gel
• Natural non-comedogenic moisturizer
• Vitex supplements

Instructions

1. Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Include many servings of low glycemic fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein in your diet. High glycemic diets that include an excess of processed foods and sugar can lead to an imbalance in blood sugar, activate acne-causing hormones and create the ideal conditions for blemish formation. A July 2007 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that low glycemic diets may improve symptoms in patients suffering from acne vulgaris.

2. Try a dairy-free diet for at least six months. According to Dr. William Danby, a practicing dermatologist in Manchester, New Hampshire, most commercial milk (certified organic included) comes from pregnant cows and contains hormones that may trigger acne. Eliminating all dairy can make a dramatic difference for individuals who are genetically prone to acne.

3. Add anti-inflammatory foods to your diet to reduce the severity of hormonal acne. Left unchecked, inflammation can worsen acne and result in unsightly scarring. Reduce and prevent inflammation by including antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables such as berries and greens; foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, flaxseed, chia seeds and walnuts; and spices and herbs such as turmeric and ginger in your daily diet.

4. Reduce stress by including relaxing activities in your daily routine. According to a 2004 study published in Experimental Dermatology, emotional stress can make existing acne worse and trigger new blemishes. Add mind-body activities like yoga, deep breathing and meditation to bring a sense of calm to a challenging day. Establish a regular workout routine, as exercise helps to remove toxins from the body.

5. Incorporate an effective skin care routine that addresses all the causal factors of acne. Cleanse your skin with a mild natural cleanser twice a day. Use an anti-acne serum made with herbal ingredients such as calendula and tea tree oil to reduce acne-causing bacteria. Apply a natural non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep skin hydrated.

6. Talk to an alternative medicine doctor to try hormone-balancing herbs. According to Natural Health Solutions for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), an authoritative website on natural treatments for PCOS, herbs such as chasteberry, also known as vitex, may balance female hormones and clear acne flare-ups associated with hormonal conditions such as PCOS.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid using harsh scrubs to exfoliate your skin, as they may further irritate blemish-prone skin.

• If you have body acne, stay away from thick and heavily scented body washes.

• Don't squeeze acne. It will lead to scarring.

References

• Dr. Andrew Weil: Acne
• American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Low Glycemic Diets Improve Symptoms in Acne Vulgaris Patients
• Intelligent Nutrition; Dairy, Acne and Autoimmune
• Journal of American Academy of Dermatology: Acne and Milk, the Diet Myth and Beyond
• Experimental Dermatology: A Pathogenetic Link between Stress and Acne

Resources

• Vitex, Fertility and PCOS