How to treat hormonal acne naturally

If you suffer from hormonal acne, you definitely aren’t alone. Although it’s a common concern, it can be hard to deal with and can give your self-confidence a real knock.

We sat down with our wonderful stockist (and skincare guru), Jess from Haylo Skin and Body to chat about her tips for hormonal acne. As an internationally-qualified Therapist, Jess uses her wealth of knowledge to help people accomplish their wellbeing and skincare goals. She’s also been through her own hormonal acne journey, and had some really useful tips for how to treat hormonal acne naturally at home.

What is hormonal acne and what does it look like?

Hormonal acne is a result of hormone imbalance, and can often come in the form of pimples (blackheads and whiteheads) or hard cysts. While hormonal acne commonly occurs in puberty, it can also follow us into adulthood – especially if you experience menstruation, menopause or have polycystic ovarian syndrome.

These hormonal spots are often our body's way of trying to tell us that something’s up. So if this is you, and you’re wondering – what now? We’ve got you covered with tips for treating hormonal acne.

How to fight hormonal acne naturally

When it comes to fighting hormonal acne naturally, Jess focuses on “hydration, hydration, hydration”. She says that hormonal acne doesn’t necessarily mean you have oily skin - it likely means the opposite. Jess said, “The skin can be so dehydrated it’s trying to over-produce oils, which can cause acne. So don’t strip your skin unnecessarily with ‘oily skin’ based products.”

Jess also uses a less is more approach, “​​I find when I have any sort of skin issue, whether hormonal, dehydration, or sensitivity, less is best. As long as you are hydrating the skin it will come right.”

When trying to clear hormonal pimples, she follows a basic morning and evening skin routine: cleanse, hydrating serum, moisturise, and a spot treatment for breakout areas.

Regular exfoliation (2-3 times per week) can also help clear hormonal pimples. A chemical exfoliator like Clarifying Booster uses naturally-derived AHAs (Mandelic, Lactic and Glycolic Acid) to penetrate deep into the pores to break down dead skin cells, making it a gentle but effective option for acne-prone skin.

Does lack of sleep or too much stress make acne worse?

“Sleep is our biggest healer in all areas. It affects how you feel, how you eat, how you move, and in this case; how your skin can be. Make a good night's sleep your priority, slow down, take time to yourself and stress less – it’s a change you’ll really notice,” said Jess. And if (like us!) you need help with that, consider a modern multivitamin like Beauty Well Super Capsules. They contain Adaptogenic Herbs that support your body through stress and overwhelm.

Does hormonal acne mean I’m not cleansing my face well enough?

Not at all! Jess says, “Hormonal acne will be something that is going on with you internally. The inside is just as important as the outside.”

What lifestyle changes would you recommend to help my hormonal acne?

We love a holistic approach and so does Jess. She says, “I personally believe a good sleep, exercise, eating well and drinking plenty of water are important routines to adapt.

Jess says that looking after your gut can also help with hormonal acne, “Your gut health plays a big part not only in your skin but your overall health too, so ensuring it’s functioning optimally is an important aspect to consider in your lifestyle habits. I’ve found that together with making lifestyle changes and supplementing with Marine Collagen (like Renew+ or Naked Collagen) to support my gut health, my skin health has improved.”

Is collagen good for acne?

Collagen provides our skin with structure and elasticity, aids our skin’s natural healing process, supports gut health and may reduce inflammation - all very important when it comes to managing acne. Supplementing with collagen has been shown to help support collagen production. For best results when taking a collagen supplement, be consistent!

What are the go-to nutritional supplements for hormonal acne?

Jess loves the Renew+ Marine Collagen Super Powder. She says, “Honestly it gave me such a skin confidence boost (the Jeuneora glow is real)”, and it’s all thanks to the combination of these skin-loving ingredients; Vitamin C (a powerful antioxidant), super-hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, detoxifying Zeolite, Bromelain (a digestive enzyme) and Marine Collagen Peptides.

You can also try tablets like Hair Skin Nails Marine Collagen Capsules, or add a flavourless supplement like Naked Marine Collagen Powder to your morning cuppa or smoothie.

Jess also swears by the power of Zinc, saying “If you have any breakouts, Zinc is a must. It’s such a great skin healer and really helped clear my skin when it was at its worst.” You’ll find Zinc in our Beauty Well Super Capsules.