What Your Skin Is Telling You: Common Signs of Imbalance

Introduction

Cranky one minute, beaming with joy in the next, volatile at one point & completely composed in the next? Well, blame it on the hormones! Women go through a whirlwind of emotions from their puberty till they reach the menopausal stage. Unfortunately, it isn’t just the mood that is affected by a hormonal imbalance. Hormonal imbalance in women can affect various aspects of your health like your skin, hair, other hormones and your overall well-being. But what are hormones and the role do they play in the appearance of your skin?

Hormones are chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands within the body and released into the bloodstream. It then travels to various tissues, muscles and organs in the body to carry out its natural scripted processes. It plays a pivotal role in stimulating other ranges of physiological processes like metabolism, growth, development, reproduction and other stress responses. Sounds sorted right? But an imbalance in its production can create havoc in your life. Shocking right, how these hidden chemicals hold the power to write the script of your body’s health.

Come, let’s explore the common skin problems that can signal the underlying imbalances in your body and exactly what your skin is trying to tell you.

Indicators of hormonal imbalance

It is important to decode the signals that our skin and body gives us when our internal systems are compromised. Your skin is the biggest indicator of everything going wrong with your body. So, paying attention to those signals is crucial. Below are a range of skin problems that arise when there is a hormonal imbalance.

1. Acne due to hormonal imbalance

The breakouts that you see on your chin, jawline and the bottom of your cheeks is usually the acne due to hormonal imbalance. But there are sides to a coin. There is no denying that due to the decline or excess of certain hormones like estrogen and progesterone, our acne tends to flare up. But there are other coinciding factors like your dietary patterns, lifestyle habits, consumption of dairy products, smoking, and stress that can be responsible too.

This type of acne usually occurs in adult women or those who have just hit puberty. Hormonal conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), irregular periods, menopause problems, perimenopause, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, all contribute to the appearance of acne due to hormonal imbalance.

It is important to understand that our bodies go through a lot of changes in life. Sometimes, some things are not in our control. But, embracing these changes with a positive attitude is important. Consult an expert to understand the cause, gain valuable insights and incorporate a skincare routine for acne. Below are some lifestyle changes that can help you tackle hormonal acne:

Tips for treating acne-prone hormonal skin

• Make a note of the acne symptoms. If your skin is reacting to dairy products, cut it out. Dairy products possess certain hormones that can play with your hormones and create havoc.

• Incorporate veggies, proteins, fibre, nutrients and more vitamins into your diet to improve your gut health and flush out all the toxins. A healthy diet manifests a healthy skin.

• Control your stress levels. Enrol in meditative activities, try to do forest bathing, be closer to nature, participate in activities that reduce stress like painting, colouring. Exercising also helps relieve stress.

• Along with the mentioned points, be consistent with your medications and creams as prescribed by your dermatologist. All these factors work in tandem to help you achieve healthy skin.

2. Dryness due hormonal fluctuations

If you have heard an adult woman whining about her skin getting dry, it's the menopause age that’s acting up. While androgen in your skin can overstimulate the production of oil and sebum leading to acne. Plummeting levels of estrogen and progesterone can make your skin dry, itchy, and scaly.

Skin rashes, inflammation, increased dryness can also occur due to a decreased activity in your thyroid glands. Thyroid glands are responsible for maintaining the metabolism of your body, producing collagen and maintaining the elasticity of your skin. However, a hormonal imbalance can also make things worse. Thyroid problem lead to dry skin, thinning of hair, unexpected weight gain and sometimes acne.

During your menopause age and perimenopause phase, your body experiences a decline in the production of estrogen, a hormone responsible for maintaining collagen and elastin fibers. Due to this decline, your skin becomes very dry, sensitive and inflamed.

Deficiencies in Vitamin A,D,E and C can also impair your skin health and lead to dryness.

Tips for improving your skin health & tackling dryness

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day to maintain adequate hydration.

• Incorporate more moisturising creams with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane in your skincare routine. Use more gentle, hydrating cleansers, serums in your dry acne prone skin routine.

• If you suspect an underlying health condition is contributing to your dry skin, consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.

3. Eczema due hormonal imbalance

Eczema, a common skin condition characterised by itchy, red, and inflamed patches that can be influenced by various factors, including hormonal fluctuations.

Potential Causes of Eczema

• Allergies: Exposure to allergens like dust mites, pollen, or certain foods can trigger eczema-like skin problems.

• Genetics: A family history of eczema or other allergic skin changes can increase the risk.

• Stress: Emotional stress can exacerbate your stress hormones like cortisol. These heightened levels of cortisol hormones can lead to skin problems like eczema.

Tips for treating skin problems like eczema

• Manage Stress: Effective stress management techniques, such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises, can reduce eczema symptoms.

• Explore Dietary Changes: While individual responses vary, some people find that eliminating certain foods, such as dairy, gluten, or eggs, can improve their eczema symptoms. Consulting a healthcare professional or registered dietitian can be helpful in curating a healthy diet.

4. Premature ageing due to hormonal skin

Premature aging, characterized by wrinkles, sagging skin, and other signs of aging, can be influenced by various factors, including hormonal fluctuations.

Potential causes of premature aging

• Lifestyle Factors: Poor diet, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and lack of sleep can also accelerate the aging process.

• Oxidative Stress: Exposure to environmental stressors can lead to oxidative stress, which can damage skin cells and contribute to hormonal skin.

• Hormonal Imbalances: Hormones like estrogen and testosterone decline after a certain period of time. These hormones are responsible for the production of collagen in the body, maintaining elasticity and firmness. Due to these hormonal imbalances, the skin becomes dull and sagging. Eventually, leading to the premature signs of fine lines and wrinkles.

Tips for tacking premature skin

• Sun Protection: Wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days, is essential to protect the skin from harmful UV rays.

• Antioxidant-Rich Diet: Consuming foods rich in antioxidants, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can help combat oxidative stress and promote healthy skin.

• Skincare Routine: A consistent best skincare routine for dry skin that includes a gentle cleanser, moisturiser, and antioxidant serum can help improve skin health and reduce the appearance of ageing.

Conclusion

The silver lining is Accept Change. It is important to embrace the fact that your body is going through a series of natural changes as we grow old. Shifts in the appearance of your skin, immune system and hormonal fluctuations are all a normal part of your life. Hormonal imbalances from whining about your puberty acne, enduring period cramps to experiencing dryness spurred by menopause, understanding your body is key. By monitoring symptoms, learning about the changes we're experiencing, and consulting experts when needed, with a healthy diet for glowing skin, we can navigate this process with grace and well-being.