Targeting Hormonal and Bacterial Acne
Strategies for Dealing with Hormonal Acne
One of the biggest reasons why many women suffer from recurring acne throughout their lifetime, causing them significant pain, is due to hormonal changes. Hormones are chemical substances that regulate the body's functions and play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis. The skin is also a hormone-dependent organ, and when it cannot adapt to rapid hormonal changes or experiences significant imbalances, acne can easily occur.
For instance, androgens (testosterone), notably cause an overreaction of sebaceous gland receptors, leading to increased sebum production and excessive proliferation of keratinocytes forming the inner wall of hair follicles, resulting in sebum retention. Additionally, imbalances in estrogen and progesterone due to menstrual cycles, pregnancy, childbirth, or menopause can stimulate sebaceous glands and induce the production of microcomedones.
Moreover, taking certain medications such as birth control pills, lithium, steroids, or having uterine-related conditions can make one prone to hormonal acne. Beyond sex hormones, stress hormones like cortisol, insulin involved in blood sugar regulation, and environmental hormones that disrupt the endocrine system can also contribute to acne.
Hormonal acne typically manifests as comedonal acne, which includes whiteheads and blackheads. It often appears in the central areas of the face, such as the chin, both cheeks, neck, and chest, and is known for recurring in the same areas.
Solutions for Hormonal Acne
Strategic Skincare for Hormonal Changes
While you can't directly control your hormonal levels, there is a quick and easy way to break free from the vicious cycle of hormonal acne: modifying your skincare routine. Hormonal changes can affect overall skin condition and the progression of acne, so your skin's needs can vary accordingly.
However, since hormonal acne is often triggered by specific periods or situations, maintaining a consistent skincare routine with thorough cleansing, adequate hydration, and sun protection is essential. Adjusting detailed skincare strategies flexibly to match the changing condition of your skin due to hormonal fluctuations is crucial.
Clearing and Exfoliating to Prevent Clogged Pores
The most noticeable changes in hormonal acne-prone skin are increased sebum production and excessive buildup of keratinocytes inside pores. To address these issues, focus on cleansing and exfoliation. Instead of harsh cleansers that can dry out and sensitize your skin, opt for a gentle, mildly acidic cleanser like a gel, foam, or milk cleanser for a soft cleansing experience.
To regulate sebum and normalize pore clearance, use low-concentration exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, azelaic acid, natural enzymes, or retinoids 1-2 times a week, considering the progression of acne. Afterward, proper moisturization is essential. Choose ingredients like zinc and niacinamide for sebum control or glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol to maintain the skin's moisture balance without clogging pores.
Don't Overlook Lifestyle Improvements
If you don't make positive changes to your diet, lifestyle, and mental habits alongside appropriate skincare, addressing hormonal acne at its root may be challenging. Small daily habits can significantly impact hormonal changes and acne formation.
In particular, focus on improving the flow of hormones by maintaining proper blood circulation during hormone movement within the endocrine system. Minimize fluctuations in specific hormones that can trigger excessive sebum and keratinization.
There's no acne without a reason. If you find yourself trapped in the cycle of recurring acne, pay attention to the underlying signals beyond visible acne.
There's no acne without a reason. If you find yourself trapped in the cycle of recurring acne, pay attention to the underlying signals beyond visible acne.
Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Recurring Acne: Identifying Hidden Causes
Acne usually begins during adolescence and naturally improves as one becomes an adult. However, many people still suffer from acne even after trying various treatments. The reason is not merely genetic; it goes deeper. While acne shares common factors like excess sebum and keratinization, the factors triggering acne are more complex than previously thought.
Acne is not a one-size-fits-all condition; its forms and skin conditions can vary greatly. Recent studies have brought attention to the influence of hormonal changes and the skin's microbiome on acne.
Hormones play a significant role in initiating acne and causing its recurrence and worsening, especially when bacterial action is involved. Hormonal changes can lead to increased inflammation or disrupt the microbial balance on the skin, extending skin issues. It's crucial to focus on understanding the hidden signals rather than just addressing visible problems.
DIET
• Limit consumption of refined carbohydrates, dairy, and foods that rapidly increase blood sugar levels
• Reduce intake of animal fats, oily foods, fried foods, processed foods, and GMO crops
• Incorporate low-glycemic whole grains, fiber-rich seaweed, vegetables, and fruits into your diet
• Include berries and fatty fish rich in essential fatty acids for improved blood circulation
LIFESTYLE
• Maintain a restful sleep state during the body's regenerative hours from 10 PM to 2 AM
• Be cautious of environmental toxins that can disrupt hormone balance in cosmetics and household products
• Develop your own stress-relief methods like meditation, yoga, walking, or exercise
Is My Acne Hormonal or Bacterial?
- Do you still experience acne frequently even after becoming an adult?
- Do you notice a fairly regular pattern of acne worsening and improving?
- Have you recently experienced severe stress?
- Do you typically consume a diet rich in sugars and carbohydrates?
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Do you have uterine-related conditions or endocrine disorders?
Hormonal Acne is Likely
- Does sudden, inflamed, and hard acne frequently appear?
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Is your skin's immune response weakened, resulting in compromised barrier function?
Bacterial Acne is Likely
Strategies for Dealing with Bacterial Acne
The skin hosts numerous microorganisms that collectively form a balanced and harmonious ecosystem, ensuring skin homeostasis. Acne involves inflammatory issues within hair follicles and sebaceous glands. While Cutibacterium acnes (formerly known as Propionibacterium acnes) was traditionally considered the primary cause of acne, recent research has revealed new insights.
Studies now show that C. acnes is a resident bacterium present on the skin's surface in both individuals with and without acne, and there is no significant quantitative difference between them. Moreover, C. acnes not only does not induce inflammation under normal conditions but also contributes positively by regulating the skin's pH and preventing the colonization of harmful bacteria.
C. acnes can act as an opportunistic pathogen in specific environments, such as in oxygen-depleted conditions or when there is a lack of sebum formation, promoting inflammatory responses within hair follicles. In other words, bacterial acne is not solely about the proliferation of C. acnes but rather a loss of balance within the overall skin microbiome and an imbalance in the C. acnes bacterial strains.
Bacterial acne is characterized by inflamed lesions, often appearing as red or yellow and having a firm texture. It frequently occurs on the forehead, nose, and chin.
Solutions for Hormonal Acne
Prioritize Sebum Control and Oxygenation Over Extractions
Simply focusing on strong cleansing or squeezing out inflammation caused by inflammatory responses can disrupt the skin's microbial balance, increase the potential for harmful bacteria to penetrate, and lead to ongoing inflammatory reactions, pore wall ruptures, and scarring.
Instead, concentrate on creating an environment that controls C. acnes. It is crucial to maintain a slightly acidic pH, which plays a key role in preserving the skin's microbial environment. Properly regulating sebum secretion and organizing unnecessary keratin to block the entrance of pores are essential for facilitating oxygen flow within the follicle.
For example, choose a slightly acidic cleanser that does not alter the skin's surface pH, cleanse gently, and use ingredients such as salicylic acid, microspheres, retinol, enzymes, clays, etc., to alleviate congestion within the pores. Additionally, using ingredients or specialized therapies that promote oxygen supply to the skin is beneficial.
Local Probiotic Skincare for Microbial Balance
Utilizing probiotic or postbiotic ingredients in local skincare strengthens the skin's resistance against pathogenic bacteria. It is gaining attention as an effective measure to minimize dependence on antibiotics for acne treatment while exerting a beneficial impact on maintaining the balance and diversity of skin microbial communities.
For instance, clinical results applying lactobacillus species locally on severe acne-prone skin revealed their ability to inhibit C. acnes growth, leading to a reduction in inflammatory lesions. Research applying Streptococcus thermophilus components to acne-prone skin demonstrated an enhancement in the production of specific ceramide lipids (sphingolipids), exhibiting antimicrobial activity against C. acnes, contributing not only to acne improvement but also strengthening the skin barrier.