Hormonal Skin Imbalance and Acne

When skin care products fail to clear up your acne
problems, it is an indication that they could be a result
of hormonal imbalances. Below are some general guidelines
on how to tell if your complexion problems are hormonal:

• You experience acne breakouts the week before your
period, mostly on the jaw line, chin and neck.
• Irregular periods and/or excess hair on the face or body
in addition to acne could signal a hormonal disorder.
Consult your doctor.
• Your skin tends to feel much more sensitive during the
fourth week of your monthly menstrual cycle.

Keeping skin acne free requires more than just diligent
skincare. It is also a matter of timing your skin care
according to your monthly hormonal surges. That is because
monthly hormone fluctuations stimulate the skin’s sebaceous
glands to secrete oil. The more oil our skin produces, the
higher the possibility that acne problems will arise.

THE HORMONAL CYCLE 101

Your cycle begins on the first day of your period and can
last anywhere from 21 to 40 days. In the first week after
your period, your estrogen level increases, helping to keep
skin clear (estrogen is the hormone that helps keep oil
glands in check). When ovulation occurs around day 14 of
your cycle, progesterone (another hormone) starts to surge
and your potential for acne blemishes increases and peaks,
just days before your period. That is when you will
experience oily skin and acne breakouts.

WEEK-BY-WEEK SKINCARE

Week 1 (The cycle begins on the first day of your period)

WHAT’S HAPPENING: Hormone levels are at their monthly low.
Skin may appear dull or it could be recovering from
premenstrual acne flare-ups.

WHAT YOUR SKIN NEEDS: Regular and gentle care.

• Use mild cleansers that contain soothing ingredients like
Aloe, Chamomile or Green Tea. While washing, massage your
face gently with the pads of your fingertips. Try Youthful
Essentials paraben-free Facial Cleanser.
• Concealers are your skin’s best friends this week. Choose
an oil-free one that contains Salicylic Acid or Sulphur,
which can help to unclog pores.
• Treat skin to a moisturizing or exfoliating mask. Left on
for 10 minutes, an exfoliating mask will remove any
flakiness on the skin and have skin lightening effects on a
dull complexion. The moisturizing element will provide much
needed extra skin hydration.
• Treat lingering acne blemishes with acne treatment
products that contain Salicylic Acid or Tea Tree Oil. Try
Diva Deva Acne Control Lotion
TIP: Do not skimp on your moisturizer. Hydrate your skin
regularly and choose moisturizers that are oil-free or
comedogenic.

Week 2 (The week after your period)

WHAT’S HAPPENING: As estrogen levels are rising, your skin
condition is at its peak with a clear and balanced
complexion.

WHAT YOUR SKIN NEEDS: Maintenance and prevention

• For most skin types, ranging from normal to combination
skin, this is a good time for professional pampering. Since
your skin is not overly sensitive, you can get a simple
gentle facial.
• If you have very sensitive skin, do not go for facials as
this may have the effects of over-stimulating your
sensitive skin and cause further problems. Opt for a simple
regimen that consists of a mild cleanser, sunscreen,
moisturizer and a good acne treatment product (if you still
experience acne breakouts during this week).
• Keep using the same mild cleansers you used in Week 1 and
make sure that you keep your skin clean and fresh by
washing your face twice a day. There is no need to carry
out excessive cleansing as this may strip your skin of its
natural sebum.
• Exfoliate your skin with exfoliating products that
contain skin “sloughers” like Glycolic acid, Lactic acid or
Salicylic Acid. However, if your skin is extremely
sensitive, you should avoid using such exfoliating products
as they may further sensitize your skin.

TIP: Always remove make-up before going to bed. Sleeping
with your make-up on can cause pores to clog and trigger
acne breakouts.

Week 3 (Ovulation)

WHAT’S HAPPENING: While your estrogen levels peak,
progesterone surges. These hormonal fluctuations cause oily
skin flare-ups and acne breakouts.

WHAT YOUR SKIN NEEDS: Acne blemishes battling treatments
and moderate exfoliation.

• Keep skin clean and fresh by washing your face twice a
day with a mild cleanser, in the morning and in the night.
Use an alcohol-free toner to deep-cleanse your pores.
• During other times, cleanse skin by using water only.
Water is the natural healer for skin and can calm your skin
without stripping your skin of its natural sebum.
• During Week 3 and Week 4, bring oil-blotting pads with
you to mop up excess oil for a matte complexion.
• Pamper your skin with products that prevent acne
blemishes. They usually contain Salicylic Acid, Glycolic
Acid, Benzyl Peroxide, Chlorhexidine and Tea Tree Oil.
• Use an acne clearing mask this week. For normal skin
users, the mask can be used 2 times a week, while sensitive
skin users should only use it once a week.

TIP: Resist the urge to squeeze your pimples. Apply a warm
washcloth to the pimples for several minutes and follow
with an antibacterial Benzyl-Peroxide or Chlorhexidine
product.

Week 4 (The week before your period)

WHAT’S HAPPENING: Your estrogen plummets while progesterone
continues to surge. Your skin is at its oiliest and painful
pimples, bumps or acne cysts flare up.

WHAT YOUR SKIN NEEDS: Tender, loving care.

• Keep skin clean and fresh by washing your face twice a
day with a mild cleanser, in the morning and in the night.
• During other times, cleanse skin by using water only.
Water is the natural healer for skin and can calm your skin
without stripping your skin of its natural sebum.
• Treat your acne blemishes with spot treatments, in the
morning and in the night.
• De-clog your pores by using an acne mask at least twice
this week. Sensitive skin users should only use an acne
mask once a week.
• Look for foundations that contain Salicylic Acid, which
will help clear pores. Also make sure that your make-up is
labeled non-comedogenic so that it would not clog pores.
• Stay away from any sort of skin trauma this week. No
waxing, laser treatments, micro-dermabrasion and facials.
You are bound to experience extra discomfort on the acne
affected areas if you do.

TIP: If the acne affected areas show no improvement and
seem to be getting worse, you should immediately consult a
dermatologist who can prescribe topical acne medication or
oral antibiotics.

About the Author

Spikes Spa Secrets is owned by Shawn & Korri ClarkWilt. They sell top quality anti aging skin care creams serums and acne products. You can read more of their newsletter at http://www.spikesspasecrets.com/spikes_spa_newsletter.html. The acne catalog is at http://www.spikesspasecrets.com/acne_treatment.html.