04 Sep Hormones And Skin
How Do Hormones Affect Your Skin During Different Life Stages
What is the connection between hormones and skin, and what role do they play in the quality and condition of the biggest organ in the human body: your skin?
Your endocrine system is responsible for regulating most of the systems in your body, by sending chemical messages or hormones. They also have a lot of influence when it comes to the health and quality of your skin, which can be really frustrating. Women tend to experience acne breakouts in the week before your period, while women going through menopause are more likely to experience dry, itchy skin and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Understanding which hormones affect you during different life stages can help you to prepare and cope better with the skin changes that they initiate.
Three Hormones That Affect Your Skin’s Look And Feel
Three hormones are primarily responsible for the way your skin looks and feels: progesterone, oestrogen, and testosterone.
Oestrogen
Oestrogen is involved in stimulating elastin, collagen, and hyaluronic acid that your skin needs to stay firm and youthful. It is responsible for
- Skin hydration
- Increased collagen production
- Skin repair and wound healing
Progesterone
Progesterone stimulates your oil glands to produce sebum. It plays a role in tightening your pores but too much of it causes an oil build-up.
Testosterone
Testosterone is an androgen and your body produces higher levels of it during menstruation. It also activates the production of oil by the sebaceous glands.
Cortisol
Cortisol is a stress hormone and high levels cause inflammation and sometimes inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis. Inadequate sleep causes more cortisol production, leading to more inflammation.
Hormones and Skin: Understanding Hormonal Acne
Acne is so common it affects 9.4% of the global population, flaring up in puberty and continuing post-puberty into adulthood. Hormonal acne can take the form of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and cysts. As a hormonal imbalance, acne is caused primarily by an excess in oil production, which blocks the pores in your skin. It can be activated by the hormonal changes that take place during
- Menstruation
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Menopause
Teen acne is usually typified by breakouts on the chin, forehead, and nose while adult acne tends to affect your jawline and cheeks.
What Are Sebaceous Glands?
Your sebaceous glands secrete sebum, an oil that keeps your skin hydrated and healthy. Your sebaceous glands have receptors that respond to hormones. They are particularly sensitive to androgens like testosterone. When you produce more androgens, you produce more sebum.
When Hormone Levels Change: Puberty
Between the ages of 10 and 14, young women experience an increase the production of reproductive hormones: oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. These hormone changes mark the beginning of the physical changes associated with puberty, and the beginning of the menstrual cycle.
Surges in testosterone cause stimulation of the sebaceous glands and sebum production, cuasing blocked follicles and oily skin.
Hormones and Skin: Skin Concerns During Your Menstrual Cycle
Days 1 – 6
All your hormone levels are low for the first few days of your cycle. You might notice that your skin is duller and drier than usual during this phase. You may also experience greater skin sensitivity. It’s a good idea to avoid skin treatments and procedures that can cause irritation during this stage of your cycle – like waxing.
Days 7 – 11
An increase in oestrogen levels during this phase results in the production of healthy, new skin cells. Gentle exfoliation during this phase can slough away dead skin cells to reveal healthy, glowing skin underneath.
Days 12 – 16
This is the phase just before ovulation where oestrogen is at its peak. Your skin is probably in its best condition during this stage of your cycle.
Days 17 – 24
By day 17 of your monthly cycle, oestrogen levels are in decline while progesterone reaches its peak. You will be more likely to have oil build-up and break outs. Consider using a deep cleansing mask to eliminate impurities.
Days 25 – 28
Just before your period starts testosterone peaks, contributing to break outs.
Hormonal Imbalance: Skin Concerns During Pregnancy
An excess of progesterone and oestrogen is believed to contribute to melasma, which affects 50 to 70% of women during pregnancy.
Chloasma, as it is called during pregnancy, causes dark skin patches to develop on your cheeks, nose, forehead or upper lip. Chloasma is hyperpigmentation that can also cause a colour-change to any existing birthmarks, moles or freckles.
You may be able to reduce the intensity of duration of chloasma flare ups but you can’t prevent it. Limiting your sun exposure and using an SPF of 50 can help but the condition should self-resolve within three months of delivery, when your hormones are back in balance.
Hormone Fluctuation During The Postpartum Period
After delivery, your oestrogen levels drop substantially and it can take its toll on your skin. For some women this translates into acne breakouts due to the dysregulation of oil production. For other women it may manifest as dull and dehydrated skin. Hormone imbalance usually restores once you finish breastfeeding and your menstrual cycle returns.
Hormones and Skin During Perimenopause
Just before menopause the ovaries produce less oestrogen. Common skin issues that may appear during this stage include
- Rosacea: due to flushing of the skin
- Signs of ageing due to loss of elasticity and volume because of lower levels of oestrogen.
Skin Concerns During Menopause
Your oestrogen levels decrease during menopause, and this affects collagen production. Lower collagen production leads to:
- A loss in facial volume
- A decrease in the thickness of your skin
- Sagging of the facial muscles
- The appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
It has been estimated that collagen production decreases by about 30% in the first five years of menopause.
Restoring Your Skin Postmenopause
In the post-menopausal period your skin loses elasticity and hydration. This results in thinner tissue, with more wrinkles appearing and volume loss due to a decrease in collagen.
The dermis, the deep skin layer that makes your skin firm and youthful, also becomes thinner, which can contribute to facial sagging.
Hormone replacement therapy
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may improve these skin conditions. By introducing more oestrogen, you may be able to restore the thickness of your skin. Systemic hormone and oestrogen replacement must be supervised by a medical doctor.
Supplementing collagen
Collagen-rich foods and collagen supplements can help to counter collagen loss. Skin products with retinol can stimulate collagen production and treat the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Skin dryness is common during this life phase so it’s important to moisturise twice a day with a rich moisturiser.
Decreased oestrogen means your skin no longer has as much protection from UV exposure and you may notice age spots starting to appear.
Other Factors Affecting Your Skin Health
While they play a significant role, hormones aren’t the only factors that impact the health and condition of your skin. Other factors also need to be considered:
- Genetics
- Diet
- Stress
- Sleep
Your hormones play a significant role in the appearance and health of your skin. Your life stages are defined by the hormone changes that you go through as you age.
For help with hormonal imbalance, please check out this blog on the health benefits of Shatavari, and this blog for a delicious hormone-balancing smoothie.
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