Hormones and skin health
Hormones are chemical messengers produced by the endocrine glands. They are essential for regulating many different processes in the body. As a result, when hormones are out of balance, it can cause a range of different problems, some of which can affect your skin health.
From acne to excessive itchiness or even rashes, below we explore the link between hormones and skin conditions to help you understand what may be causing your symptoms.
Hormone and their effects on skin health
Hormones and skin health are closely linked. Hormones play a vital role in regulating many of the body’s essential processes, including those related to the skin.
Common hormones that play a key role in maintaining skin health include:
- Oestrogen – is essential for maintaining skin thickness, collagen production, and moisture levels. Oestrogen levels naturally start to decline as we age, causing skin to become thinner, drier, and less elastic.
- Testosterone – is most linked to sebum production, with imbalances in this hormone leading to increased oil production and acne.
- Progesterone – this hormone can also increase oil production and lead to acne.
- Cortisol – high cortisol levels, often produced in response to stress, can lead to inflammation, exacerbating skin conditions like eczema and acne.
- Thyroid hormones – these hormones can affect skin moisture levels and hair growth. Low thyroid levels (hypothyroidism) can lead to dry, thin skin and hair loss, while high thyroid levels (hyperthyroidism) can cause oily skin and excess hair growth.
- Growth hormone – this is essential for collagen production and skin thickness.
Skin and hormone imbalance
If you have a hormonal imbalance, you may experience a range of skin-related symptoms. Below we explore common imbalances of hormones and associated skin conditions:
Hormonal acne
Hormonal acne is caused by an imbalance in hormones that causes excess pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, or cysts.
Our skin is covered in small glands known as sebaceous glands, which secrete sebum to help keep it healthy. These glands have receptors that respond to hormones, like oestrogen and testosterone, and can be sensitive to hormonal imbalances. For example, having too much testosterone can increase sebum production, causing excess oil, which clogs the pores in your skin and causes acne.
Hormonal acne is often driven by changes due to:
- Menstruation
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Menopause
- High testosterone levels
Women’s hormones and skin health
Women’s hormones naturally fluctuate through menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause; however, these changes can impact skin health especially if imbalances persist. Below, we explore key transitions in a woman's lifetime that can cause hormonal imbalances which affect the skin:
Menstrual cycle: Hormones fluctuate through a woman’s menstrual cycle, which can lead to changes to the skin throughout the month. Oestrogen levels are at their highest during the first half of the cycle, which can result in clearer skin and more even skin tone. However, as progesterone levels increase during the second half of the cycle, skin can become more sensitive and oilier, which can result in acne breakouts.
Pregnancy: During pregnancy oestrogen and progesterone levels increase significantly, which can cause various skin changes from darkening of the skin, stretch marks, acne, and increased sensitivity, as well as clearer skin in some cases.
Post-pregnancy: After giving birth, hormone levels may fluctuate as the body returns to its pre-pregnancy state. As a result, women may experience imbalanced hormones and skin rashes, dryness, acne, or hyperpigmentation.
Menopause: Oestrogen levels drop during menopause, which can lead to skin dryness, thinning, wrinkles, and age spots.
Birth control: Some birth control medications, known as combined oral contraceptives, contain synthetic versions of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which can impact skin health. In some cases, birth control pills can be used to help treat acne in women suffering from excess oil production or acne. However, the specific effects of hormonal contraceptives will depend on the individual.
Stress and skin health
The hormone cortisol is produced in response to stress, and excess levels can affect skin health in the following ways:
- Acne – increased cortisol levels can stimulate the sebaceous glands in the skin, leading to increased oil production, which can contribute to the development of acne.
- Skin inflammation – An imbalance in cortisol can lead to increased skin inflammation and worsening conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.
- Impaired skin barrier – Chronic stress can compromise the skin’s natural barrier function, resulting in increased water loss, dryness, and sensitivity, resulting in skin that is more prone to irritation.
- Slower wound healing – High cortisol levels can affect normal wound healing by slowing down the formation of new skin cells, delaying collagen production, and impairing the overall healing process of cuts, wounds, or skin injuries.
Treating hormone imbalances to improve skin health
There is a clear link between hormones and skin health, and hormonal imbalances can be the cause of many common skin complaints, from acne to rashes. To effectively treat hormonal skin complaints, it’s important to understand which hormone or hormones are out of balance.
It is possible to analyse various hormone levels and gain insights into your health through various blood tests. At Bluecrest Wellness, many of these blood tests can be added to our full-body health assessment packages to give you insights into your hormonal balance, as well as comprehensive insights into your overall health.
Gain insights into your overall health
If you are keen to gain insights into your overall health, why not book one of our full-body health assessment packages?
Each package has been designed to provide comprehensive insights and includes a range of key blood tests, as well as important metrics like your blood pressure, weight, and risk of certain health conditions.
All our health MOT tests use the latest technologies to ensure accurate results. Each also comes with a comprehensive Results Report and free access to a 24/7 GP helpline for a year for complete peace of mind following your health assessment. Plus, all our tests can be booked at a time and location that’s convenient for you.
