Hormonal Acne - What is it & Some Hormonal Acne Diet
Let’s face it, acne can be a cause of immense pain, causing sleepless nights and unnecessary stress for whose life it afflicts. For no one likes waking up to red boils and God forbid if someone points out how your acne is acting up, especially more so if you are in a group! Strikes a chord, doesn’t it? Despite all that talk about loving your body, most of us can vouch to wishing the acne away fervently.
Acne is a skin condition usually found on the lower part of the face and can also appear in the form of blackheads or small pimples on the head. According to some experts, hormonal acne is acne on chin and is caused due to change in the hormones. This month, we have listed out the reasons for hormonal acne and what foods to incorporate in your diet if you suffer from the same.
What is Hormonal Acne?
Hormonal acne is a skin condition that appears on the face due to fluctuations in the hormones. They are usually more common among teenagers, women, and even afflicts some adult men. In most women, one of the reasons for the outburst of acne is their monthly cycle or menopause. Another significant cause of hormonal acne is polycystic ovarian syndrome, also known as PCOS.
Some Hormonal Acne Diet
If you are someone who is troubled by hormonal breakouts, here are some hormonal acne diet foods that can help with your condition.
Green Tea
Green tea is prepared from unoxidized leaves and is one of the less processed types of tea that contains antioxidants that helps lower inflammation. It is packed with several benefits and is believed to be quite advantageous for those with an acne condition. It also helps in unclogging the pores and fighting bacteria. One can consume two cups of green tea or apply lotions and gels that have two per cent green tea extracts for a smoother and acne-free skin.
Plant-based Diet
Switching to a plant-based diet has many benefits and is also a total win for those with PCOS acne. A plant-based diet is full of vitamins, minerals, and healthy nutrients. It is also believed to balance out the estrogen levels in the body and prevents the skin from breaking out. Green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, and fresh fruits, along with seeds and nuts are the best sources of a plant-based diet, that helps the body detox and also adds glow to the skin.
Antioxidant-rich Food
Antioxidants are compounds that inhibit oxidation and fight the free radicles in the body, thereby protecting the skin. As a result, they are jam-packed with health benefits. It has been observed that many people who have skin acne have low levels of antioxidants and therefore, it is advised that they should include more antioxidant-rich food in their diets. A few examples of antioxidant-rich foods include red grapes, mulberries, blueberries, leafy vegetables, red cabbage, green tea, seafood, among others.
Omega-3s
Omega-3s and other fatty acids such as Omega-6, Omega-9 are some of the essential nutrients that help in regulating the skin’s oil production and reducing inflammation. It has also been observed that these fatty acids improve hydration and soften the skin. A few omega-rich foods include fish such as wild salmon, mackerel, nuts and seeds like walnuts and flaxseeds and chia seeds. They are all packed with Omega-3s and incorporating them in your diet will nourish and have a good effect on your skin.
Low Glycemic Diet
It is often recommended that people with a skin condition should have a diet that is low on the glycemic index. To put it in simpler terms, every food has a glycemic index (GI) on a scale of 1-100. The higher the glycemic index, the faster that food takes to raise your blood sugar level, which means that your skin becomes more prone to inflammation. A low glycemic diet helps in keeping blood sugar low as well as reducing inflammation. It also helps in reducing acne and improves the skin. Non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, cereals, fresh fruits such as apples, berries and plums, oats, beans and legumes, nuts and seeds, are some examples of low glycemic food.
Probiotics
Along with fruits and vegetables, probiotics are also essential for skincare. The skin being the largest eliminator of toxins, very often, toxins get accumulated under the skin and probiotics are of great help in eliminating toxins from the body. In fact, probiotics help in breaking down the toxins in the liver itself, they fight the microbes and prevent inflammation. However, it is important that you start taking probiotics only after consulting with a doctor.
Hormonal acne is very common and you should not worry a lot, unless you experience a severe acne breakout. While there are a number of suggestions available online on how to treat acne, it’s always better to practice caution before experimenting with your skin. With the right skincare, a healthy diet, and expert’s treatment, you can get rid of hormonal acne.
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