Unfortunately, skin issues are not confined to the teenage years but may persist throughout your life. That’s because hormones are crucial in maintaining your skin’s health and appearance. So, today, we’ll talk about hormone imbalance and skin problems, so you know how to treat and love the skin you’re in at any age.
From acne outbreaks to dryness, hyperpigmentation, and more, these skin woes are often caused by hormonal imbalances.
During puberty, for example, hormonal fluctuation contributes to an overproduction of sebum, leading to oily skin and acne. In menopause, on the other hand, the lack of estrogen production may lead to dry skin.
So, how do you maintain vibrant skin despite natural hormonal fluctuations?
Keep reading to learn more about
- the connection between hormonal imbalance and skin,
- the root causes of your skin issues, and
- how to prevent or address them.
How Hormone Imbalance and Skin Problems Are Linked
It’s no news that hormones regulate many physiological processes within your body. However, some specific hormones can directly impact your skin health and glow. For this reason, even the slightest imbalance or fluctuation may trigger skin problems.
Here are some of these key hormones and their effects on your skin:
Estrogen: This hormone is particularly important for maintaining skin hydration and elasticity because it stimulates the production of collagen and elastin – proteins that contribute to your skin’s firmness and flexibility. Reduced estrogen levels can lead to dryness, thinning of your skin, and increased wrinkles.
Progesterone: Alongside estrogen, progesterone influences skin hydration and has anti-inflammatory effects. So, when progesterone levels fluctuate during your menstrual cycle, you may experience acne outbreaks.
Androgens (Testosterone and DHEA): These hormones are present in both men and women but with higher levels in men. Increased androgen levels – as seen in conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – can lead to excess oil production, contributing to acne and oily skin.
Cortisol: Known as the stress hormone, cortisol levels can also impact your skin. Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels may contribute to skin issues such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
Thyroid Hormones: The thyroid hormones influence the metabolic rate of cells, including those in your skin. An imbalance in thyroid function can lead to dry skin, hair loss, and changes in your skin texture.
Insulin: Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. If you have insulin resistance – often associated with conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes – you may notice you’ve gained some skin tags with dark, thickened patches of skin.
Understanding the interplay of these hormones is crucial to identifying the root causes of your skin problems so you can choose the right approach to deal with them.
Knowing the effect of hormone imbalance on your skin also helps you decide whether to treat your skin issues with simple lifestyle changes and moisturizers or with professional help.
Hormone Imbalance and Skin Problems: A Look at the Problems
Now, let’s dive into the most common skin problems caused by hormone imbalance and what you can do to treat them and reclaim your skin’s health and glow.
Acne
Acne is one of the most common skin issues caused by hormone imbalance. If you think of your teenage years, chances are you’ll remember at least one occasion when you didn’t want to go to school without a concealer to hide that unwelcome visitor that popped up in your face.
As we mentioned, acne is usually caused by hormonal fluctuations, especially by an increase in androgens, which lead to an overproduction of sebum in the skin. This excess oil can clog your pores and contribute to inflammation and acne.
Treatment: The good news is that acne can be treated effectively with topical creams containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinoids, depending on the outbreak’s severity. In some cases, your doctor may also prescribe oral contraceptives or medications to regulate your hormones.
When to see a doctor: When your acne outbreak is severe, or if your skin is itchy and highly irritated, the best decision is to see a dermatologist and an endocrinologist. While the latter investigates the root causes, the dermatologist targets your skin. You may need more invasive treatments with laser or peelings. However, at Nava, we will also discuss bioidentical hormone therapy because we focus on the root causes of problems – which is hormonal imbalance!
Dry Skin
Dry skin is very common in perimenopausal and menopausal women due to changes in estrogen levels, which leads to a decrease in collagen production. This combination may result in dry, dull, and less elastic skin.
Treatment: Adopting a skincare routine with moisturizers to hydrate the skin may help alleviate these symptoms. Try to choose anti-aging skin products containing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, peptides, or ceramides that help keep your skin hydrated and boost collagen production.
You may also take some collagen supplements or consume foods rich in phytoestrogens to restore your estrogen levels naturally.
When to see a doctor: Skin problems are just the tip of the iceberg regarding the lack of estrogen. If dry and itchy skin is accompanied by other menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, low sex drive, and vaginal dryness, you should talk to your healthcare provider to find the best approach to restore your hormonal balance. Again, at Nava we recommend considering bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
Hyperpigmentation and Melasma
Hormonal changes – especially estrogen and progesterone – can sometimes trigger an increase in melanin production. This leads to hyperpigmentation and the development of brown or grayish-brown patches on the face, particularly in areas exposed to the sun, a condition called melasma.
The use of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy can also trigger this common skin condition.
Treatment: In addition to regularly using sunscreen to prevent further darkening, topical treatments containing ingredients like hydroquinone, retinoids, or vitamin C may help fade hyperpigmented areas.
When to see a doctor: If your skin tone doesn’t return to normal after your hormone levels are back to normal, you should see a dermatologist who will tailor a treatment for your melasma that may include laser sessions and peelings.
Similarly, advanced aesthetic treatment technology, such as intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) or microneedling with radio frequency, can be viable solutions for melanin-based skin irregularities.
Solve Your Hormone Imbalance and Skin Problems with an Integrative Medical Provider Like Nava Health
Are hormonal imbalances wreaking havoc on your skin? At Nava Health, we always take time to fully assess, diagnose, and discuss any issues you have. If you have a hormone imbalance and skin problems, we’ll discuss how to help you solve them.
As Nava is an integrative health center, our experts specialize in root cause assessment and treatment. Our advanced services and treatments are comprehensive and include premium aesthetic services that complement personalized treatment plans for you.
For example, functional nutrition counseling or bioidentical hormone optimization may be the personalized path to help you say goodbye to persistent skin problems at their root cause and say hello to radiant, healthy skin.
Ready to embrace vibrant, healthy skin once more? Take the first step toward hormonal harmony with Nava Health!
Contact us today and let’s talk.
A Medical Director, and one of the first physicians to join the Nava Health & Vitality Center, Dr. Douglas Lord has made significant contributions to our Center and its founding principles. Dr. Lord has helped develop and implement the Nava Method™—Nava’s proprietary approach to total body wellness. He has also been instrumental in liaising with other expert practitioners to successfully implement Nava’s range of therapies, treatments, and products.