Why Acne Get Worse Before Your Period

I always ask my patients about whether or not they deal with acne. It can be a good indicator of what’s going on in the body in terms of hormones, reactions to food and stress levels. One of the most common responses I get from patients is that their acne gets worse before their period. Why does this happen? Is it a normal phenomenon that we just have to live with or is it a sign that something is off?

Hormonal Fluctuations

For most women, the spike in acne happens within the week before the period starts. If they normally have clear skin, this is when a few pimples can pop up. If they struggle with acne already, this is when it can get even worse. 

Influencers in the wellness world like to blame estrogen for a lot of problems but when it comes to acne around the period, the main culprits are progesterone and testosterone. Progesterone is supposed to be high in the week before the period and it plummets as bleeding begins. This natural, high progesterone level can trigger an increase in sebum production in the skin which can clog pores. Before the period, estrogen is on the lower side but relative to this, testosterone is on the higher side. This relatively high testosterone can also contribute to more sebum production. For some women, this spike in sebum is the perfect fuel to grow acne causing bacteria. 

What Can Be Done

These are all natural, normal hormonal changes. However, for women who are already dealing with hormonal imbalances like elevated testosterone throughout the month, insulin resistance, or low estrogen, these normal hormonal fluctuations could exacerbate their acne. There are natural ways to bring these hormones to a healthier level.

Other ways to combat acne around the period include a good skincare routine, wise diet choices and a concrete stress management plan. 

So to answer my questions above, these acne-causing hormonal fluctuations are natural and normal but there is still a lot that we can do to minimize their impact on our skin. If you need help managing your acne naturally, book a free 15 minute consultation to learn more. We work on diet, hormones, sleep, stress management, inflammation, skin care and sometimes facial acupuncture to address acne.

Facial Acupuncture for Pimples, Acne and Scarring

Facial acupuncture has become increasingly popular in recent years. It’s something that I have incorporated into my practice because skin health can be a significant source of stress for people. One of the most popular conditions I treat with facial acupuncture is acne and acne discolouration scars (dark spots and red spots). I’ve seen facial acupuncture calm down active acne - i.e. reduce the number and intensity of pimples but I find it’s also great for correcting uneven skin tone from scarring.

Pimples come and go but one of the most frustrating things about acne is the dark or red marks that get left behind once the pimples go away. Many of my patients find facial acupuncture is helpful for reducing these spots of discolouration. After a few sessions, most patients report back to me that their skin looks more vibrant, more even, and that it feels softer and healthier.

The awesome thing about being a naturopathic doctor is that we never just focus on the skin when it comes to pimples. There are so many contributing factors to acne such as hormones, diet and stress. At each facial acupuncture session, I make sure we address these underlying factors so that we’re treating your acne from the inside as well as the outside.

Many of my acne patients find that they break out more in response to high stress. Because mental health is a core focus of my practice, using acupuncture to manage stress and anxiety is an obvious choice for me. During a facial acupuncture session, I’ll often include acupuncture points that promote relaxation and stress reduction. 

If facial acupuncture sounds interesting to you but you’re new to acupuncture or hesitant about it, read my FAQ article on facial acupuncture by clicking HERE. The more you know, the more comfortable you’ll feel diving into treatment.

If you feel like you’ve tried everything to clear your skin up without satisfying results, facial acupuncture may be the perfect next step for you.