The Skin Cycle - How Hormones Effect the Skin

November 26, 2020 3 min read

The Skin Cycle - How Hormones Effect the Skin

Your skin, the largest and one of the most important organs in your body, is subject to changes and reactions, especially on and around the face, stemming from various sources, such as puberty or hormonal cycles. Most of us know that the skin changes based on factors, such as the weather, age, and even different environments. Many of us are unaware, however, that when it comes to higher or lower levels of hormones being pumped in the body, these variabilities can be the root cause for these changes. For example, acne outbreaks, oily skin, excess sweating, and certain skin conditions can be linked directly to the menstrual cycle. While many women are attempting to attack and remedy the problem from various angles, it would be beneficial to first consider the core of the issue.


Why do we have hormones in the first place? Hormones are produced in organs such as the ovaries and thyroid glands and they essentially act as emissaries to powerfully effect other parts of the body in order to control and harmonize activity throughout the body. They synchronize functions such as growth, immunity, reproduction and metabolism. Especially for women, the endocrine system is extremely significant in the course of the aging process, as it yields hormones which drop, at times radically, with age. Essentially, the body’s inner age-regulator could be responsible for the skin drying out and wrinkles being formed without any external stimuli such as whether or sun damage. A large part of the reason for these changes is a decrease in hormone levels. It is therefore important to delve into and investigate how these hormone changes really effect the skin in general.


Although one of the most well-known and significant hormones is estrogen, there are still many myths that are widely believed about it. Firstly, estrogen is not only produced in the ovaries and, although it is predominantly found in females, it is not exclusively produced in females. Males, although at a much lower rate, produce estrogen as well. Estrogen has a substantial impact on the skin’s health and appearance as it is associated with wound healing, improved function of the skin barrier, collagen production, skin thickness and hydration. It is no wonder, then, that many women report heightened sensitivity on their skin approximately during the time of menstruation, as there are lower levels of estrogen produced during this phase.


Similarly, the skin is affected in many other ways by the menstruation cycle. For instance, acne is one of the most commonly related skin conditions connected to the cycle, as period-related hormonal breakouts are very common in the 10 days before and the days during the period. The body’s sweat levels change as well through the cycle as the body’s base temperature will generally increase during the second half of the cycle, the luteal phase. Certain skin conditions such as dermatitis and psoriasis are typically worsened during the premenstrual phase also. In addition, the moisture levels, elasticity, and healing capacity of the skin have been known to fluctuate at different times of the cycle.


Now, all this being said, we don’t recommend getting stressed out. We know that isn’t as easy as it sounds, however stress will trigger certain glands that will only worsen acne and other skin ailments. The best advice we can offer is to have a regular skincare routine and take care of your skin using products with healthy, natural and organic ingredients such as Nature Only’s Natural Revitalizer moisturizer as well as Peptide and Vitamin Serum. The combination of these two products will restore the skin’s surface against moisture loss and dehydration, defend against free radicals, improve elasticity and moisture levels, while reducing redness and discomfort. Of course, you must also look after yourself with getting enough sleep, having a regular exercise routine and eating a nutritious diet. There is no substitute for these and they will support your body’s natural hormone balance.

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