As if dealing with perimenopause isn’t hard enough, the hormonal changes during that period can trigger hot flashes, poor sleeping, and menopausal acne, among other things. If you’re currently dealing with the latter, you know that it’s more than just a teenage problem. Acne requires care and treatment specific to the person. The good news is, there is a lot you can do to improve your skin.
What Causes Menopausal Acne
Clinical acne during menopause can be caused by a hormonal disbalance. During that period, a woman’s estrogen levels decrease while her androgen (male hormone) levels stay the same. That typically results in menopausal acne. In addition to that, other factors, such as stress, genetics, lack of exercise and sleep, and diet also play an important part in the process. Eating cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli can help support hormone balance because a compound they contain, known as DIM.
How to Treat Menopausal Acne
Menopausal acne isn’t the same as adolescent acne because our hormones react differently based on our stage of life, so it’s important to take the right measures for your condition. It’s best to consult with a doctor, especially if you’re considering HRT (hormone replacement therapy). Here are some important dos and don’ts of managing acne caused by menopause.
Do…
– Avoid soap. Use a cleanser with salicylic acid instead.
– Moisturize regularly using oil-free products.
– Wear SPF30 sunscreen. Protect your skin from sun exposure. Its drying effect can encourage spots and acne by tricking the sebaceous glands to overproduce sebum.
– Meet with a dermatologist if your acne doesn’t improve.
Don’t…
– Scrub or over-wash your skin. This can cause irritation and inflame acne.
– Use products intended to treat teenage acne. Your skin can’t tolerate them because they are harsher.
– Buy products containing silicones and Mica (found in powder products) as they can irritate the skin.
– Use old makeup because it is typically the hotbed for bacteria.