Being a woman is quite difficult. You have to deal with so many hormonal imbalances and acne breakouts, especially when you are a teenage girl going through puberty. And as a functioning adult woman, you expect to leave all those issues behind. But it is not always the case. Many adult women suffer from hormonal imbalances that result in irregular or abnormal periods, cystic acne, and even polycystic ovary syndrome. And hormonal acne is not like the occasional pimples you get every once in a while. They are a struggle to get rid of. The solutions you get in the market, such as antibiotics, Retin-A, and benzoyl peroxide, claim to get rid of the issue but often end up making it worse. And even if you do manage to get rid of the acne, it’s not long before you have to deal with them all over again.
How Do Hormones Affect Your Skin?
Most of the time, it is not enough to use topical treatments to get rid of acne as they may be caused by imbalances in your body instead of clogged pores or bacteria on your skin. Hormonal acne is mostly caused by endocrine imbalance and generally affects women around mid-cycle before their periods start. This is because the levels of estrogen and testosterone are quite high during this time. Women with a properly functioning endocrine system do not usually have to face such problems but those whose hormones can’t process correctly do. Such women have a problem with detoxifying their bodies, especially if they make the wrong food or lifestyle choices. This is because what you eat or do affects the ability of your elimination organs to function efficiently. These effects are highest before your period starts as there is an increase in blood circulation so the blood comes closer to the skin’s surface.
What Should You Do To Improve The Condition Of Your Skin?
The most important thing you should do when taking care of your skin is to make sure your body is eliminating toxins and waste effectively. Your skin is the largest organ that is responsible for elimination and it works hand-in-hand with the liver, the large intestine, and the lymphatic system. By understanding how what you eat determines the condition of your skin, you will know why topical ointments don’t actually work. The foods you eat and the products you use on your skin have to be eliminated from your body efficiently, then only can you expect clear flawless skin. You can do your skin a great favor by reducing or avoiding the consumption of the following foods:
Dairy: Dairy and dairy products contain synthetic products which may affect your hormonal balance. They are also pro-inflammatory foods that cause leaky gut syndrome.
Soy: Soy is extremely harmful to those who are hormonally sensitive as it contains phytoestrogens that contributes to acne. Since soy can appear in supplements too, you should read the labels carefully before purchasing them.
Gluten: Gluten is also a pro-inflammatory food that can lead to acne and leaky gut syndrome.
Caffeine: Caffeine can help give you a boost of energy when you wake up in the morning, but at the same time, it can deprive your body of zinc, B-vitamins, and magnesium, which has a negative effect on your immune response.
Sunflower, Canola, Safflower, And Vegetable Oil: When you cook your foods try to stay away from these oils as they are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which are known to cause skin inflammation. Instead, you can use olive oil or coconut oil, which do not affect your skin as much.
What Should You Eat For Good Skin?
In order to clear your skin of acne, you should try to consume lots of fruits and vegetables as they are rich in nutrients. And focus on fruits and vegetables that have high water content as they help hydrate your body and help flush out toxins. You should also consume probiotics as having a healthy amount of good bacteria in your system improves the health of your gut and balances your hormones.
