5 ways to deal with hormonal skin concerns in women – Times of India

In India, hormonal imbalance is widely prevalent among women which can significantly affect their overall health. Hormonal imbalances can be caused by conditions such as PCOS, hyper and hypothyroidism, and can occur during certain stages in a woman’s life cycle such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Although these can cause a number of health complications, they also have a significant impact on skin health. Some of the most common hormonal skin concerns faced by Indian women include acne, skin pigmentation and discoloration among others. While there are some factors that are clearly beyond a person’s control, there are many factors that can be managed to control hormonal irregularities and skin health.

Even minor changes in the body’s hormone levels can cause many negative effects. Over time, these symptoms can worsen if left untreated. But in many cases, even simple changes made in everyday lifestyle have proved useful in solving many skin related problems in women.

Let’s look at 5 tried-and-tested methods to help control hormone-related skin problems in women.


Eat clean, plant-based nutrition: What we eat has a direct impact on overall health, including skin health. It is therefore important to nourish the skin from the inside out with clean, plant-based foods high in essential macro and micronutrients. Experts around the world recommend avoiding processed foods as they do more harm than good to the skin and overall health. Eating clean foods devoid of harmful chemicals and artificial ingredients can help to rejuvenate the skin from the inside. Such foods are also helpful in combating hormonal disorders like PCOS which can be the root cause of skin concerns like acne. It is recommended that you consume plenty of greens, whole foods and plant-based nutrition on a daily basis to combat skin concerns like acne. If you want to stay away from skin complications, metabolic diseases and insulin resistance, start reducing your daily sugar and salt intake. Excess sugar and salt in your diet can lead to a number of unwanted hormone responses that can harm your skin and overall health.

Get a good night’s sleep: A good night’s sleep can do wonders for your skin health. Good sleep can help in maintaining hormonal balance in the body. Inadequate sleep can also cause an increase in cortisol levels which causes inflammation and reduces the glow of the skin. So make sure you get 6-8 hours of sleep every night.

Relax your mind: There is a direct link between increased stress levels and the quality of skin health in women. Researchers believe that even low levels of stress can cause an undesirable hormonal response. This is mainly because stress can increase the levels of adrenaline and cortisol in the body. If these hormonal levels increase, it can lead to negative consequences such as skin issues, obesity, mood swings and even heart problems in the body. Therefore, it is best to stop those rising stress levels as soon as possible by seeking professional help. You can also do simple things like listen to music or take a walk. All you need is the intention to relax and be relaxed; You will rest!

30 Minutes Exercise: If you haven’t already, start exercising. It not only restricts overeating but also reduces the hormonal surge. Various studies suggest that 30 minutes of exercise daily may be beneficial in reducing the risk of skin problems, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and type-2 diabetes. You can go for a brisk walk or do yoga or even do high intensity training depending on your interest. What is important is to be consistent and make these physical activities a part of your daily routine.

Hydrate your body: Drink lots of water daily. Experts recommend drinking 2-3 liters of water daily to cleanse your system and flush out toxins. You can also have healthy drinks like green tea or matcha tea, which are full of antioxidants and compounds that enhance skin health, boost metabolism and help reduce fasting insulin levels.

Switch to Clean Beauty: While you’re nourishing your body with the right nutrients and taking care of stress levels, it’s important to also take a look at the skin care products that you apply to your skin. Using clean beauty products i.e. skin care products without harmful chemicals like parabens, heavy metals, sulfates etc can help to heal the skin and enhance its appearance. According to some NCBI studies, chemicals like Parabens can affect the hormone estrogen. Hence it is best to stay away from beauty products containing such harsh chemicals. Make sure you also use sunscreen, regardless of the season, to avoid any direct bright blue electronic light emanating from cell phone or computer screens. It has been scientifically established that intermittent or prolonged exposure to any bright artificial light can confuse the body which in turn leads to the suppression of the hormone melatonin. This can lead to many complications. It is recommended that you avoid direct artificial lighting of any kind to maintain the body’s natural circadian rhythm.

Hormones: Related ailments can seem like a troublesome affair as they can take a toll on your skin and overall health. But it is not impossible to control them. Following a clean and holistic lifestyle along with the above steps can prove to be most beneficial. Start your journey towards holistic health and watch your skin health gradually improve.

With inputs from Aarti Gill, co-founder of Oziva.

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