Hormones are one of your lifelines. Without your hormones, there would be no you. A few of the responsibilities performed by hormones in your body include regulating your moods, temperature, sexual functions, and appetite. It is normal to experience hormonal fluctuation, especially as you grow older. During puberty, your hormonal levels reach a peak and become stable during early adulthood. Hormones, although vital, can become your enemy if there is a slight imbalance.
What is Hormonal Imbalance?
When your hormonal levels become too high or low, it might trigger a couple of unwanted responses. If you notice you are adding weight or feeling moody, your hormones might be out of sync.
Fatigue, acne breakouts, saggy skin and wrinkled skin, too? Hormonal imbalance might be the culprit.
Let’s walk you through ways your hormones (or lack of) can make a mess of your skin.
Hormones can give you acne.
If you ask any woman what her skin nightmare is, do not be taken aback if she mentions the forbidden word "acne." Searching for the cause of acne is like searching for the Holy Grail. Do not give up just yet- you might be lucky to find the answers you seek, here.
As a woman, your hormones will always be in a state of flux – during your monthly cycle, your ovulation cycle, pregnancy and menopause. And that's why you may have to deal with that annoying, painful bump which appears on your face about a week before your monthly flow.
Acne is triggered by two hormones (estrogen and progesterone) and androgens.
Hold on a minute; androgens are male sex hormones, right? So, how could they have a direct link to the acne on a woman's face?
Men and women produce androgens. They are essential for your health as a woman. Androgens such as testosterone stimulate the sebaceous glands of your skin, keeping your skin well "oiled" up and shiny. If your body produces more testosterone, sebum (oil) production will increase, and this might be a problem. A high amount of sebum causes clogging of hair follicles, which results in acne appearing as blackheads or whiteheads.
A fluctuation in the secretion of progesterone and estrogen before your period also causes excess secretion of sebum, which can cause acne.
Hormones can "mask" your skin.
If you are pregnant, and you notice brown or grey patches on different areas of your face, you probably have melasma. Little wonder melasma is called "the mask of pregnancy". The level of female sex hormones- estrogen and progesterone increase when you are pregnant. Excess secretion of these hormones causes overproduction of melanin, which can lead to hyperpigmentation. When your skin is hyperpigmented, you'll look less radiant.
Hormones make your skin look wrinkled.
Skin aging caused by hormonal imbalance is a common occurrence. Estrogen plays a pivotal role in preserving your youthful skin and beauty. Some of the core functions of estrogen are; boosting the production of collagen, elastin, and increasing the thickness of your skin. Collagen plays an essential role in promoting skin's elasticity and strength. If the collagen fibers of your skin break down, your skin will lose its firmness, thereby resulting in wrinkles and saggy skin.
Estrogen acts as antioxidants, which protects your skin against inflammation and stress.
During early adulthood, your skin is thick and healthy. Down the years, the three layers of your skin will get thinner. The dermis of your skin is the area that gets affected the most when there is an estrogen drop. Here’s why; when your dermis gets thinner, it leads to a loss of elastin, collagen and hyaluronic acid.
By the time you clock 50, the maximum level of estrogen in your body may decline by half. When menopause kicks in, your estrogen levels will go farther down. Wrinkles, fine lines, saggy skin, and dryness are a few symptoms you’ll notice when you have hormonal imbalance caused by aging.
How can I restore my skin after it’s been ravaged by hormones?
Now you have an idea of what could be causing your skin problems. While it is quite tempting to jump at different solutions promising to restore your skin, it is necessary to be patient and exercise caution.
Dietary changes may help with hormonal imbalances and the effects these imbalances can have on your skin.
Some skincare enthusiasts bank on different topical ingredients to achieve a blemish-free and radiant complexion.
Products that may help with acne breakouts are Sweet Orange Gel Cleanser, Spot Dabber for Acne Prone Skin, Ancient Mud Facial Mask and Orange Blossom Facial Toner.
To improve the look of Melasma and even prevent it protect your skin from the sun. Use a physical sunscreen with zinc and titanium dioxide to block the sun’s light and wavelengths. Try our Reflector SPF 30 Facial Sun Protection.
Hormones can create a loss of water and hyaluronic acid in the skin, leading to wrinkles and a loss of elasticity. Nordic Boost Hydrating Serum replaces the water component in the skin to improve the look of dull skin.