Hormones can be described as your body’s messengers. Just like you send a Facebook message to your friend for support, your body sends chemical messages that affect processes such as metabolism, growth and development, sexual function, mood and reproduction.
Ultimately, these changes could be indicative of a stage of life, hormonal imbalance or other underlying issues. But when is it time to reach for support?
How does hormones affect the skin?
Hormones are released by, and ultimately affect every process of our body. From our endocrine system (including the hypothalamus, the thyroid, the pituitary, the adrenal glands, the pancreas and the pineal gland) to systems such as the brains, lungs, heart, kidneys, liver and the skin. Hormones are messages sent throughout the body to communicate function, any underlying issues and bodily changes. This often manifests quite visibly on our skin, particularly when there are underling hormonal imbalances.
For example, estrogen has been shown to increase collagen synthesis, increase skin thickness and hydration and help to stimulate the right amount of oil production – keeping it supple and smooth whilst combatting acne formation (1). In opposition to this, excess estrogen in pregnancy can cause melasma – a condition characterised by dark pigmentations on the skin.
Hormones can be a bit of a balancing act when it comes to ensuring that our bodies are properly functioning whilst developing and growing. So, how does our skin change throughout different stages of our life?
Skin in Different Stages of a Woman’s Life
1. Puberty
Remember how mortified you were once your first 12-year-old pimple developed?
I am sure puberty is the first time you noticed the impact of fluctuating hormones on your skin health. For us women (or developing women), there is a rise of estrogen and testosterone once puberty begins. The increase in testosterone gets sensed by your skin receptors, driving the production of excess sebum – and hence, acne is formed.
NOTE: Hormonal birth control pills are often prescribed to treat acne. This is because the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) has doses of synthetic oestrogen which suppresses ovulation. Ovarian androgens are produced during ovulation, however this does not occur on the OCP hence decreasing the likelihood of acne. Why may this be harmful? However, this may be harmful because the OCP is only masking symptoms and NOT treating the root cause. That’s why, often people see a drastic worsening of symptoms once they eventually come off the OCP.
2. Regular hormonal changes throughout our cycle.
Even once our cycle is regulated, acne can still be common in the 10 days prior to menstruation, where our estrogen and progesterone plummet. Estrogen is suggested to be an ‘acne preventor’ as it has been demonstrated to suppress levels of sebum production and decrease gland activation (3).
This is particularly present in women who have excess testosterone levels and those with PCOS as when these levels drop, testosterone can take over – resulting in chronic acne formation.
3. Pregnancy
There are a few changes in skin that are often identified by pregnant women including melasma, an increase in skin pigmentation and stretch marks in addition to heightening already present skin issues (2).
Hyperpigmentation and melasma are experienced by nearly all women during pregnancy to some degree (2). Hyperpigmentation can be also a presenting issue, where darkening of the skin is related to increased levels of estrogen, progesterone and other hormones that are stimulated during pregnancy. Melasma is due to the increase of estrogen specifically – making the skin more sensitive to the sun which causes dark discoloured spots. Although these skin discolouration’s can be normal, if you perceive your skin issues to be abnormal – it is important to see a health professional in order to determine the severity of the skin changes.
In addition to this, existing skin conditions such as eczema, acne and psoriasis may be again exacerbated due to the sudden increase in hormones.
4. Menopause
As your body transitions into menopause, there are many structural and functional changes that occur throughout your body. One of these changes include your hormone levels to drop which may lead to drastic changes in your skin. The three main changes that may occur include:
- Post-menopausal acne: As oestrogen levels begin to drop and testosterone increases, the occurrence of acne becomes more prevalent.
- Dry, itchy skin: Dropping oestrogen levels lead to decreased oil production and lower water content in the skin, leading to dryness, itching and potentially even eczema.
- Fine lines, sagging and wrinkles: The decrease of skin firmness as we age is another result of decreased oestrogen levels. Dropping collagen levels enhance this, leading to a loss of skin thickness, increased fine lines and wrinkles and easier bruising.
What to do now?
Although some skin alterations are a natural process of hormonal changes and ageing, if you suspect that a hormonal imbalance may be the cause of your skin issues then it may be time to book an Initial Nutrition Consultation.
As a part of your healing journey, hormonal testing is an option for women who have acne along with any other symptoms that could indicate hormonal imbalances or PCOS such as irregular period, unusual body hair growth, dry or itchy skin. This is also discussed within a consultation to ensure that you are getting the right guidance in your skin and health journey.
What are you waiting for? Book an Initial Nutrition Consultation now to help balance your hormones.
Please share this article to anyone experiencing hormonal imbalances and skin issues.
Written by:
Mollie Caughey-Wade,
Clinical Nutritionist (BSc).