Most of us are aware of the connection between healthy, balanced hormones and a healthy, balanced body in general. We may also know about the direct connection between imbalanced hormones and conditions like mood disorders, cognitive issues, diabetes, and even cancer.

But what about the link between hormones and your skin? That one can be a little harder to understand.

In this article, we will take a look at the most common human hormones and how they play a vital role in your skin’s health and longevity. Armed with this important knowledge, you will be able to keep your hormones balanced for vibrant skin all year long.

Some Basic Hormones and What They Do for Skin

Did you know that there are literally dozens of hormones, as well as hormonal precursors, that can affect your skin? In fact, your hormonal reality is so intricately connected to your skin that some experts have described the skin as being a “neuroendocrine organ.”

This short list presents just a few of the most common hormones that exist within the endocrine system and how they are linked to skin health:

Estrogen: Estrogen is actually a group of hormones (estradiol, estrone, estriol, amongst others) that play primary roles in reproductive health for both sexes, especially for women. Estrogen deficiencies have long been associated with wrinkling and other signs of aging. On the other hand, too much estrogen can also lead to premature aging as well as hyperpigmentation, dryness (or oily skin), acne, and vascular-related conditions such as spider angiomas. (1)

Testosterone: Testosterone is another one of the main sex hormones and is vitally important for the reproductive health of men and, surprisingly, for women too! In fact, studies have shown that fluctuations in testosterone levels may contribute to acne flare-ups in women. (2)

Progesterone: Progesterone rounds out the three major reproductive hormones. Although it is produced in men as well, its primary importance is for women since it is what helps to regulate menstruation and prepare for childbirth. Maintaining optimal levels of progesterone can be very helpful in treating the symptoms of premature aging in both the skin and hair for menopausal women, especially. (3)

Cortisol: Cortisol is the main hormone that is secreted by the adrenal glands, especially during times of heightened stress. It can actually be a powerful anti-inflammatory when it is released in a balanced, healthy way. When cortisol production gets out of hand, however, it can contribute to systemic inflammation and cause major problems for your skin.

Over the last twenty years or so, researchers have developed a line of study called the “brain-skin connection.” They have found that maintaining healthy cortisol levels (which automatically lowers systemic inflammation) can be a key factor in reversing skin-related conditions across the board. In fact, stress-related inflammation is a key cause of psoriasis for many people, according to a 2010 study published in the British Journal of Dermatology. (4)

Melatonin: Melatonin is a hormone that is produced in the brain by the pineal gland. Its main job is to regulate sleep and sleep cycles. It also plays a vital role in regulating serotonin and is a powerhouse when it comes to creating age-defying skin.

Melatonin is also a super-antioxidant, so making sure you have balanced amounts naturally can help boost your skin’s natural UV protective elements. Finally, melatonin is also vital for the stimulation of both collagen and hyaluronic acid in the skin. (5)

Insulin: Insulin’s job is to regulate blood sugar. It is produced in the pancreas and secreted whenever glucose levels in the blood rise, such as after a meal. When blood glucose levels fall, insulin productivity falls as well. Skin-related issues such as cracked and dry skin, poor wound healing, and skin ulcers can be connected to insulin imbalance and early signs of diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. (6)

Oxytocin: Oxytocin is considered a “neurohormone” since it is produced as part of nervous system function. It is vital for uterine contractions during labor, for the production of milk during lactation, and for the promotion of maternal nurturing behavior in general. Oxytocin production is also connected to lower stress responses, which can aid in healing stress-related breakouts and skin imbalances. It has been shown to improve immune health, which can help fight bacterial outbreaks such as acne. In one study, oxytocin was found to have anti-aging effects on skin cells and to increase levels of the super-antioxidant glutathione. (7)

Know Your Symptoms and Levels

Having general knowledge about hormones and skin health is vitally important. However, all the “info” in the world isn’t going to give you answers as to what to do about your situation in particular. For that, you get to dive a little deeper into your specific hormone-related symptoms as well as hormonal levels.

Here are some tell-tale signs that you may have a hormonal imbalance:

• Digestive and elimination complications like diarrhea, constipation, or bloating
• Changes in mood, such as sudden anxiety, irritability, or depression/sadness
• Weight gain or loss
• Thinning of the hair or having unwanted hair (especially on the face for women)
• Sleep-related issues like insomnia
• Reproductive system issues like vaginal dryness, infertility, or PCOS in women and erectile dysfunction in men
• Menstruation abnormalities such as irregular periods, heavy bleeding, or spotting between menstruation times
• Skin-related complications such as acne, dry skin, thinning skin, rashes and skin blemishes, irritated skin, and slow wound healing (8)

Once you have evaluated your symptoms and determined that a hormonal imbalance is probably affecting you, the next step is to check your levels for the most basic hormonal substances. These include the three kinds of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Secondary tests, such as those for vitamin D levels and C-reactive protein (CRP, a marker for systemic inflammation), can also be very helpful.

Remember, you can’t rebalance what you don’t know about. Getting the specifics regarding these substances can be a real game-changer for helping you map out a game plan that makes sense for your hormonal healing journey.

The Next Step

Many hormonal imbalances that affect skin can be rectified by detoxing toxins such as xenoestrogens, changing to a whole foods diet, and stepping into a stress-reducing, life-affirming lifestyle. Sometimes, however, extra supplementation is needed. Melatonin, over-the-counter natural progesterone rebalancers, and even supplements like vitamin D3/K2 or extra probiotics can all help.

Women who are going through menopause in particular often reach out for natural support via bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) as well. Be sure to work with a qualified natural health practitioner if you decide to go that route. And remember, in this day and age, there is ample research which proves that natural hormone replacement can work just as well, if not better, than synthetic hormone replacement therapy—and with zero side effects!

Step Into Skin Soothing with CHARLíS

When it comes to healing hormonal imbalances that may have wreaked havoc on your skin, you can look no further than CHARLíS for topical relief. All of our products come from nature and are lab tested to be as clean and pure as possible before we ever offer them to you.

There are several luxury skincare formulas in both our skincare and body care lines that contain wild-sourced natural substances proven to soothe the skin from dryness, irritation, blemishes, and inflammation that can come as a result of hormone imbalance. Hands down, however, probably the best formula for overall soothing is the CHARLíS Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer.

The CHARLíS Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer is a best seller and for good reason! It can be used anywhere on the body, and the uplifting, all-natural citrus scent is appealing to both men and women. Most of all, it contains several herbal ingredients that were made by nature to be extremely healing for the skin. Some of these include super-hydrating, inflammation-lowering Argania Spinosa oil, vitamin E, and linoleic acid-rich safflower oil, and cold-pressed Theobroma Grandiflorum butter. Theobroma is also called “cupuacu.” It is a Brazilian seed that research has found has the ability to support over 400% of its weight in water.

Wow! All this goodness translates to super-hydration, effective inflammation-lowering, and deep cleansing and healing for any skin type.

Heal Your Hormones and Heal Your Skin

I hope by now you are convinced of the direct link between hormones and skin. Whether you are a man or a woman, young, old, or “in between,” and whatever your skin type, don’t forget the hormones on your journey towards healthy skin. Be aware of the signs of hormonal imbalance, get your hormones checked if you need to, and take action to rebalance naturally for your good health and vibrant skin all year long!

References:

1. Cutaneous manifestations of estrogen excess and deficiency
2. Association of Serum Testosterone with Acne Vulgaris in Women
3. Impact of progesterone on skin and hair in menopause – a comprehensive review
4. How stress gets under the skin: cortisol and stress reactivity in psoriasis
5. Melatonin and human skin aging
6. Diabetes and Skin Complications
7. Oxytocin Levels Inversely Correlate With Skin Age Score and Solar Damage
8. Hormonal Imbalance Symptoms