If you're new around here, welcome! I'm a menstrual health expert and hormone ND. I have helped thousands of women welcome in healthy periods and balanced hormones with my program Period Reboot! Be sure to hop on the waiting list so you're notified the next time the doors open!

Hormonal acne can be one of the most difficult and devastating cycle symptoms anyone can live with

We sadly cannot hide what is right on our face. Acne can negatively affect our self esteem and confidence and this is why I'm so passionate about helping women clear their hormonal acne - naturally.

Hormonal acne is common in our adolescence but it can also come back years later with a vengeance - especially when coming off of hormonal birth control. Hormonal acne can also be harder to heal because until we address the hormone component, many different approaches may not work. 

While Western Medicine tends to take an external only approach (think creams, steroids, Accutane, etc.), in my experience hormonal acne almost ALWAYS is rooted in something happening internally.

For example, here's what I helped my incredible client do by taking an internal, root cause based approach to clear her acne. The first photo was when we began working together and the second photo was about 4 months later. 

So what is hormonal acne anyway?

Hormonal acne can range from small black heads to painful cysts and are often a result of hormonal fluctuations. It is not uncommon to deal with acne through puberty, however hormonal acne can cause issues well into adulthood. 

Hormone imbalances that can contribute to acne:

• elevated androgens
• testosterone
• progesterone
• estrogen  

Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States! 😱

What are androgens?

Imbalanced androgens are one of the most common causes of acne. There are androgen receptors within your skin which convert testosterone into dihydrotestosterone or DHT. DHT is a male sex hormone that contributes to excess sebum, the formation of pimples and a state of inflammation.

There is often an androgen rebound that occurs when women come off of hormonal birth control. This wrecks havoc on the skin and flares acne typically 3-6 months post birth control. Fact: Hormonal birth control is anti-androgenic and down regulates sebum production which is often the reason some symptoms of acne are alleviated while on the pill but return as soon as we discontinue taking it. Birth control does NOT fix acne - it merely suppresses the symptoms. 

One key way to support your skin during androgen rebound would be adding in an acne safe skincare routine that focuses on hydration and skin barrier support. 

Pro tip: Invest in a facial mist and apply all products (especially your moisturizer) to damp skin

"Tackle the skin from the inside out and the outside in."

- Caralyn Hale

How can we support ourselves and our skin while we come off of hormonal birth control?

If you've decided you want to heal your acne at the ROOT and not mask symptoms, these are important places to start: 

✅ Decrease inflammation:  Focus on real whole food that are high in anti-inflammatory properties like salmon, extra virgin olive oil, fresh berries, green tea and arugula. Hone in on gut health and try introducing fermented and probiotic foods. 

✅ Optimize nutrient levels: Nutrient deficiencies are very common especially after being on birth control. This would be a great time to access nutrient levels with your health care provider paying special attention to nutrients such as magnesium, B vitamins, selenium and zinc.

The health of your gut and liver especially can manifest onto the skin so when clearing hormonal acne with clients, I ALWAYS investigate deeply into the health of their gut and liver and love running a DUTCH test (hormone test) too so see what's really going on. Learn why I love the DUTCH test here

In my experience with clients, most of them test high in androgens and need gut and liver support to really clear their acne. 

That's why this new episode on the CYCLICAL Podcast is so life changing - we talk about how to heal acne at a ROOT level. 

On the CYCLICAL Podcast: Clearing Hormonal Acne

My episode with skin care expert Caralyn Hale is JAM PACKED full of powerful information on skin health, acne and healing after birth control. 

Want to hear more?? Be sure to tune into the CYCLICAL podcast!

Episode "Clearing Hormonal Acne Post Birth Control with Caralyn Hale"

Find the CYCLICAL Podcast on iTunes, Spotify or anywhere you enjoy podcasts 

Learn how to work with me here

You don't have to feel in the dark about your symptoms anymore and if your doctor is saying "NO" when you request hormone testing, please know there are options! If you're ready to get to the root of what's going on, check out my Work With Me page to learn how to begin this journey of support, nourishment and hormone balance. 

If your hormones feel off, they probably are! So don't brush it off and assume everything is "normal" when you feel anything but. xx

Dr. Cassandra