Acne is the complex of many adolescents. During menstruation, women complain about their oily skin. And at the menopause, it is the dull complexion and the installation of wrinkles which give a hard time to the seniors… at each age its problems. What if it really was all about hormones? Explanations.

From puberty, women secrete two types of hormones: estrogen and progesterone.

As a reminder, estrogen is produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands, under the control of the hormone FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). A distinction is made between estradiol, estriol and estrone. Estrogen is produced at the start of the menstrual cycle with a peak about two days before ovulation.

Progesterone has a complementary action to estrogen. It is produced by a gland called the corpus luteum from ovulation and throughout the second part of the menstrual cycle. Progesterone peaks shortly before your period begins. This hormone has a real regulatory role on the female cycle.

Female hormones also play a role in the quality of the skin and hair through their moisturizing properties.

Periods and pregnancy: skin hydrated but beware of acne!

A few days before the onset of menstruation, the level of progesterone increases, promoting the production of sebum. The skin is hydrated and the complexion luminous. However, it is not rare that this runaway is also the door open to certain imperfections: oily skin, shiny complexion, acne pimples… all these inconveniences can be present at the time of the rules. It is therefore necessary to review your beauty routine at this time of the month: daily cleansing, clay mask, mattifying cream or oily skin regulator can be used.

During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone are also boiling. Excess sebum can lead to acne breakouts (however, many women report having more hydrated and glowing skin and hair). Pregnancy should therefore also lead you to use dermo-cosmetic treatments capable of controlling these excess sebum.

In addition, some pregnant women are subject to hyperpigmentation phenomena linked to female hormones which increase their production of melanin during sun exposure. This is the case of pregnancy mask also called melasma (or cholasma). It is characterized by the appearance of dark areas of irregular shape on one or more parts of the face such as the chin, forehead, cheeks or the bridge of the nose. It usually occurs around the fourth or sixth month of pregnancy and affects brunette women more. If it usually goes away on its own, it may take several months. To avoid it, it is better to opt for sun protection (SPF 30 to 50) incorporated in a mattifying day cream. From depigmenting treatments can also be added to your routine based on Thiamidol, Vitamin C, Polyphenols or of Dioic Acid.

Menopause, a factor in dry and dull skin

There are times in life when sex hormones are lacking. This is the case when their levels drop: at the start of the menstrual cycle or after pregnancy. This is also the case when the body no longer produces these hormones in sufficient quantities, in the event of menopause or secondary amenorrhea. Amenorrhea can be of uterine, ovarian (early menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome, etc.) or pituitary origin. In these cases, some women resort to hormonal treatments or even surgery.

One of the symptoms of this hormonal deficiency is dry, wrinkled skin, a dull complexion, and often brittle hair and nails. It is essential to adopt a routine to combat dryness and aging of the skin. The ideal is to opt for treatments containing moisturizing and anti-aging agents, such as hyaluronic acid or retinol, in order to slow down the onset of wrinkles.

In addition, it is advisable to protect your skin from the sun which risks drying it out but also to promote the appearance of brown spots or lentigines. UV protection (SPF 30) as well as depigmenting agents should therefore be incorporated into your routine: Thiamidol, Vitamin C, Dioic Acid, Polyphenols… These will give you a luminous complexion all year round.

Contrary to popular belief, we all secrete testosterone: women from the ovaries and men from the testes and adrenal glands. Men produce more of this hormone which offers them certain signs commonly associated with virility: more abundant and thicker hair, deep voice, more developed muscles … However, this hormone can also play tricks on men, especially through hair loss ( baldness) or a tendency to oily, acne-prone skin, especially around puberty.

Men must therefore adapt their skincare routine according to their age. In adolescence, it is better to bet on care adapted to oily and seborrheic skin. Many adolescents also take specific acne treatment.

In adulthood, men can opt for a treatment according to their skin type but generally with age the need for hydration increases. It is particularly linked to the drop in testosterone production. Bet on UV protection (SPF 30) incorporated in your day care to avoid sun damage (wrinkles, dark spots, etc.).

Eczema, psoriasis, acne or even dull complexion: these inconveniences are often triggered or aggravated by an excess of cortisol¹. The latter, commonly called “stress hormone”, is released by the adrenal glands under stress. Thus a state of chronic stress, as in the context of an anxiety or mood disorder, is not without consequences on the quality of the skin.

High secretions of cortisol (anti-inflammatory hormone) disrupt immunity. Cortisol makes the body more vulnerable to infections and puts it in the grip of autoimmune or inflammatory reactions. In addition, cortisol compromises cell regeneration (interacting with collagen production). It is therefore essential to avoid stress factors and to treat chronic anxiety: yoga, meditation, relaxation, hypnosis, sophrology or even psychotherapy. You have to find the method that suits you.

For its part, insulin would also compromise the quality of our skin. Indeed, the consumption of sugar increases the secretion of insulin by the pancreas. In case of excess, the latter released in too large a quantity leads to excess sebum and thickening of the dermis. The skin is oily and dull. A study published in the journal Skin Therapy Letter², demonstrates an association between high sugar diets and increased risk of acne.

It is therefore recommended to reduce your consumption of sugar which would disrupt the release of insulin and stimulate inflammation mediators, thus directly affecting the quality of our skin.

In women, hormonal disorders can alter the production of melanin. Pregnancy, menstruation or even taking oral contraceptives can cause skin hyperpigmentation phenomena. These can vary from a simple brown spot to the mask of pregnancy (also called melasma). The latter, more impressive, corresponds to a brown area that covers one or more part (s) of the face.