Most of the skin problems are attributed to poor hygiene and lack of skin care. But surprisingly, you may still experience them despite eating right and following a good skin care routine. You may find it weird but your hormones may actually be responsible for a variety of skin issues. When hormones go out of balance due to aging or some other reason, the imbalance can show up on your skin. Therefore, it becomes important to be aware of hormone-related skin problems so that you can address them properly. Here are some surprising ways your hormones can affect your skin.
Acne
Hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles are the main cause of acne. When the level of reproductive hormones (estrogen and progesterone) increases, the oil-producing glands are stimulated. This results in the blockage of skin pores due to excess oil production, which may cause an acne breakout. Generally, you can make out that your acne is due to an imbalance of hormones if pimples appear at a specific time during your menstrual cycle. They may often be visible in the same area and are usually painful and inflamed.
Dryness
While excessive production of reproductive hormones can cause oiliness, their deficiency can lead to skin dryness. Natural oil production reduces in such a situation and your skin becomes rough, itchy, or flaky. Dryness of the skin is also an indication of an imbalance of thyroid hormones. This condition is responsible for the reduction of blood circulation to the skin and it may end up looking dry and scaly.
Wrinkles and fine lines
When you see signs such as wrinkles and fine lines (premature or with normal aging), your hormones may be at blame. Dr. Bill Andrews from Siorai.com explains that while many people are aware that collagen keeps your skin smooth and firm, estrogen is responsible for developing collagen in the skin. A drop in estrogen levels robs the skin of its natural elasticity and results in wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging. Do not fret though, you can find techniques on how to improve skin elasticity using products as well!
Dark circles
Another skin problem related to hormonal imbalance is the appearance of dark circles in the under-eye area. These are an indication of adrenal fatigue. When stress levels increase, your kidneys produce excess cortisol, the stress hormone. This imbalance causes symptoms such as restless sleep and insomnia, which ultimately results in the appearance of dark circles. You must take them seriously because these can be more of an underlying issue rather than just a cosmetic problem.
Skin pigmentation
An increase in the level of estrogen causes skin pigmentation, which is visible in the form of appearance of dark spots. This condition, known as melasma, usually happens during pregnancy, when the levels of estrogen and progesterone shoot up. Women with darker skin tones are more susceptible to dark spots. The problem usually resolves by itself at the end of pregnancy because the hormone levels become normal naturally.
Now that you know the common skin problems caused by hormones, detection and treatment become easier. The best approach to address them is by working on normalizing the hormone levels. At the same time, you need to follow a healthy lifestyle and follow a proper skin care schedule.
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