That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
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What Is Hormonal Acne and What Causes It?
You may also see acne on your upper neck.
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Hormonal acne may be in the form of inflamed bumps, pus-filled bumps, or large cysts.
Both males and females can get hormonal acne, but females tend to be affected in greater numbers.
An increase in sebum may be due to a hormonal imbalance.
Specifically, sebum production may increase when androgen hormones are high and other hormones, likeestrogenandprogesterone, are low.
The androgens most often correlated with hormonal acne includetestosteroneanddehydroepiandrosterone sulfate(DHEA-S).
Stress and sleep deprivation may also lead to a hormone imbalance.
A hormone imbalance doesn’t always lead to acne, though, making diagnosis challenging.
Can Supplements Help Treat Hormonal Acne?
A 2022 review called the overall safety of acne supplements into question.
Per the review, many products on the market contain potentially harmful amounts of vitamins and minerals.
Regardless, a large market for acne supplements remains, with some products claiming to help hormonal acne specifically.
For example, vitamin B6 andvitamin B12have both been linked to acne breakouts in research studies.
Ultimately, dietary supplements alone probably won’t heal hormonal acne.
Herbal Supplements for Acne
Herbal supplements contain phytochemicals, which are bioactive ingredients extracted from plants.
Such effects have led researchers to investigate various plants and herbs as potential natural treatments for hormonal acne.
Despite their potential, not all herbs used for acne are supported by scientific evidence.
Below is a look at some common herbal supplements for acne.
This is because chasteberry has been found to affect the fluctuations in hormones that occur beforemenstruation.
In some studies, chasteberry has been shown to decrease levels of the hormones estrogen andprolactinbut increase progesterone levels.
High prolactin may cause premenstrual acne for some.
As a whole, however, research on the efficacy of chasteberry for acne is inconclusive.
More research is needed.
Aloe Vera
Aloe verais a plant commonly used to treat sunburns.
But it may be useful for acne, too.
The treatment occurred three times per week for seven weeks.
Berberine
Berberineis a phytochemical present in a number of plants and herbs.
It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects that may be useful for hormonal acne.
Participants took 1.1 grams (g) of berberine per day for 60 days.
At the end of the study, berberine supplementation was found to significantly reduce androgen levels and acne.
Researchers have put these properties to the test in various clinical trials.
However, overall, the studies included in the review yielded mixed results.
Scientists feel that additional, well-designed research is needed in this area.
Green Tea
Research suggests thatgreen teaextract may improve acne by reducing sebum production.
Per the review, green tea extract may also reduce the number of acne lesions.
That means some products may not contain what their label states.
Vitamins for Acne
Certainmicronutrients(vitamins and minerals) may help treat hormonal acne.
A deficiency in a vitamin or mineral may cause acne or hormonal changes that may lead to acne.
Alternative Methods for Treating Hormonal Acne
Hormonal acne supplements may not work for everyone.
Fortunately, there are other ways to treat hormonal acne.
Prescriptionoraland topical medications may be necessary in some cases.
Hormone therapy may be another effective treatment for hormonal acne.
Typically,hormone therapyis used in severe cases of hormonal acne or when previous treatments have failed.
Hormone therapy is recommended to reduce androgen levels and improve hormone imbalances that may cause acne.
Your diet may also affect hormonal acne.
Summary
Hormonal acne triggers when androgen hormones are too high, causing excess sebum and acne.
Although hormonal acne can affect anyone, adult females are more likely to get it than other populations.
Various supplements for hormonal acne are on the market today, but not all are supported by strong science.
Additional treatment options are available for hormonal acne.
Talk with a healthcare provider to find the best one for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Certain foods may trigger hormonal acne, especially when eaten in excess.
A healthcare provider can help you find any foods that may be triggering your hormonal acne.
Hormonal acne is due to animbalance of hormones.
This imbalance causes an overproduction of sebum, an oily substance that can clog pores and cause acne.
Although bacterial and hormonal acne may look the same, the two have different causes.
Hormonal acne is because of a hormone imbalance that leads to excess sebum.
On the other hand, bacterial acne is brought on by bacteria that get intoporesor follicles.
A common symptom of PCOS is high androgens and, thus, hormonal acne.
PCOS is also associated withinfertilityand causes challenges in getting pregnant.
However, pregnancy is still possible regardless of a PCOS or hormonal acne diagnosis.
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