Hormonal Acne

Many women come to me before getting their period who are suffering from acne. This is also a common complaint of women who have recently come off the pill. The skin is the largest organ in the human body yet so often we neglect it unless something goes wrong.

When issues present on the skin, it can often reflect an internal imbalance. Chinese medicine excels at getting to the root cause of this imbalance and helps to heal the skin from the inside out. Acupuncture can help to reduce redness, balance skin tone, and reduce localized inflammation. Each visit will assist your body in both treating active flair-ups while also getting to the root cause of the condition to help prevent further break-outs. 

In addition to coming in for acupuncture, there are a few steps you can take at home to help tackle PMS related acne outbreaks: 

Eliminate Food Triggers

Finding out which foods lead to an acne flair can be a tricky process because it varies from person to person. However, shifting your diet to recommendations below can help to reduce inflammation and balance hormones naturally. 

The skin on your outside is a good reflection of the health of the skin on your inside (your gastrointestinal tract). A good place to start is to remove gluten and dairy products from your diet as both of these foods can irritate the gut and create leaky gut syndrome.

Opt for Lower Glycemic Index Carbohydrates

This means choosing foods which are lower in sugar and metabolised more slowly. High sugar foods are pro-inflammatory and can bring on an acne flair. Carbs can cause a spike in insulin, which triggers sebum production and makes the face more oily. A few examples of low-glycemic index food choices are: whole grains, non-starchy and green vegetables (broccoli, brussel sprouts, dark leafy greens), nuts and seeds, legumes, berries.

Limit or Temporarily Omit Dairy

Chinese medicine texts do not demonise milk in the same way that we do today. However, it does recommend all foods in moderation. Dairy is one of those foods that is consumed in excess in this country. For some constitutions, dairy products can be very nourishing. However, if you are suffering from frequent acne with digestive irregularities such as constipation or loose stool, you may be experiencing an accumulation of phlegm and dampness in your system. Therefore, stepping away from dairy for a few weeks might be a useful experiment to see if symptoms improve. If you are still concerned about getting enough calcium in your diet, choose sheep’s milk or goats milk unsweetened yogurt and other plant-based foods that are rich in calcium. Some examples include almonds, chia seeds, poppy seeds, sunflower seeds, quinoa, dark leafy greens (except spinach), white beans, tofu, and other organic non-GMO soy products. From a biomedical framework, most cow’s milk produced in this country has a hormonal component. Hormones such as prolactin, estrogens, progesterone, corticoids, and androgens are all commonly found in dairy. These elevated levels of hormones can lead to an increase in sebum production and, therefore, acne. 

Choose Your Chocolate Carefully

 Chocolate is another food that is not inherently “bad”. It is rich in antioxidants which are considered to be anti-aging due to their ability to fight free radicals. It also contains magnesium which women need more of right before our period, which is why we crave it. The issue with chocolate is it often contains loads of sugar or dairy. Opt for dark chocolate with low sugar and dairy-free if possible. 

Limit alcohol

Alcohol is pro-inflammatory and can disrupt digestive health, it can also temporarily impair Liver functioning. If you are experiencing other signs of PMS including irritability and breast tenderness before your period, Chinese medicine suggests that there may be a mild imbalance between the Liver and the other internal organs. Therefore, steering clear of alcohol would be a kinder choice to your body and skin.

Consult Your Practitioner for More Guidance

It should be noted that Chinese medicine does not recognise any one category of food as being “bad” or “good”. Rather dietary modifications are often made temporarily to help address underlying imbalances of each individual. 

Clean Skin Care Routine

Choose products that are low in toxins and help to maintain the proper pH balance of the skin. If you are seeking new skin products, consider the app Think Dirty. You can scan your facial, body, or home cleaning products and search for potentially safer choices. Also, remember to wear sunscreen daily because even a light sunburn can be pro-inflammatory and cause an acne flare up.

Healthy Digestion

From a Chinese medicine perspective, we say the “Lungs govern the skin”. In Five Element Acupuncture Theory, the Lungs and Large Intestine are considered paired organs which are both part of the Metal phase. They both have the ability to take in and let go. They are both prone to dryness, heat, and phlegm-damp accumulation when imbalanced. Due to the fact that they are linked, regular bowel movements via the large intestine are critical in terms of healthy skin which is “governed by the Lungs”. Constipation can prevent the elimination of excess hormones, especially oestrogen. If you have issues with constipation, make sure you are drinking enough water. Aim to increase your fibre intake slowly, consume more healthy fats, and consider a probiotic. Regular acupuncture treatments also help tremendously in soothing digestive irregularities.

It's important that your bowel, liver and digestion is working well for healthy clear skin. Increasing fibre and water intake will help prevent constipation. The skin eliminates toxic waste through sweating. If the body contains more toxins than the kidneys and liver can effectively discharge, the skin is forced to take over.

Reduce Stress

This one is often easier said than done if you are struggling with PMS. Get out ahead of it by making sure you are getting enough sleep in the week leading up to your period. Mindfulness-based practices such as journaling, yoga, and meditation can all be helpful in soothing the mind. Exercise is another great way to reduce stress and boost mood. Additionally, breaking a sweat aids in overall skin detoxification. 

Home Treatments

GREEN CLAY MASK
This mask is ideal for oily and acne-prone skin. Clays comprise finely ground minerals from the earth, including iron oxides, calcium and magnesium, and decomposed plant materials like seaweed which have deep-cleansing and healing properties that support healthy skin. Using clay masks regularly will draw dirt from the pores and are beneficial for removing excess oil and impurities from the skin, while helping to tighten pores and skin tone. Clay masks can also reduce inflammation, exfoliate dead skin cells and improve microcirculation.
For oily skin, the best type of clay to use is green clay, such as French green clay, bentonite or Fuller's earth clay. These clays contain magnesium oxide, which has a greater ability to absorb oil and draw out toxins.

2 tbsp green clay
1 tsp raw or Manuka honey
2 tbsp water & 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 drops essential oil of choice

Mix all ingredients together to make a paste. Apply to a clean face and neck, avoiding delicate eye and mouth areas and leave for 15 mins until dry. Rinse with warm water and follow with a warm washer. Splash your face in cold water to close up your pores. Avoid using metal spoons and containers to mix and store your clay mask as it can draw toxins from metals.

MANUKA HONEY FACE CLEANSER
ideal for all skin types, especially acne-prone skin.
Raw honey is a natural and effective cleaner, leaving your skin feeling soft and supple. It's much gentler than soap and won't strip the skin of its beneficial oils. Raw honey does wonders for acne-prone skin due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Manuka honey is effective against many different types of bacteria. The number after the letters UMF indicates it's antibacterial strength (the higher the number the stronger its action and the more expensive it is).
Wet your face with warm water then rub a small teaspoon of Manuka honey into your face in a circular motion. Leave on your skin for 10 minutes and then wash off with warm water and a warm washer. Splash your face with cold water to close the pores. The result is lovely, soft cleansed skin.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR TONER
This refreshing and balancing toner is suitable for all skin types but especially for oil and acne-prone skin.

2 Tbsp organic raw apple cider vinegar
6 Tbsp filtered water

Pour the ingredients into a glass jar or bottle and shake. Using a cotton ball or pad, apply the toner to a freshly cleansed face, avoiding eye area. When dried, apply moisturiser. If you don't like the smell, you can add 4-6 drops of essential oil such as lavender, or orange. Store in the bathroom cabinet - no need to refrigerate.

TEA TREE TONER
This toner is ideal for preventing acne and pimples. Tea-tree has a natural antibiotic and antiseptic action, making it beneficial for helping to prevent acne.
5 Tbsp filtered water
4 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
14 drops pure tea-tree oil

Same instructions as above.