Acne is something no one wants to deal with, especially in adulthood! After suffering from this skin problem in your early teens, the last thing you want is a return to those spotty, painful, unattractive blemishes! But PCOS acne is a very real thing.
Your concerns should have shifted to wrinkles and grey hairs 🙂 However, adult acne is a lot more common than you think!
Research has shown that “A degree of facial acne was recorded in… 54% (of) women and 40% (of) men.” These results prove we’re not alone out there, as that’s nearly half of us who suffer!
Not to worry, there are some super simple steps you can take to prevent and reduce acne.
Tackle the cause of PCOS acne
Identifying the potential cause is one of the first steps to prevention and treatment. It is essential that we take a step back to evaluate all aspects of our lives to try and pinpoint what may be causing our breakouts.
Identifying where your breakouts are coming from is a good indicator of what the underlying issue may be and, better yet, how you can prevent them.
Tweak your diet
Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet and making an effort to include skin-thriving goodies are super important. Here are a few you should make a conscious effort to incorporate into your diet to help prevent acne.
And remember, low glycaemic load options have been shown to help reduce acne.
- Green tea
May help reduce androgen production, preventing breakouts.
- Avocado
Has been shown to help topically, and so increasing your dietary intake is a wise option. - Nuts
Studies show zinc supplementation can help reduce acne. Nuts are a rich source of zinc, and adding these to your diet may help your skin. Nuts also contain B-group vitamins, vitamin E, minerals such as calcium, iron, and magnesium, and antioxidants. - Fish
Rich in the omega 3 fats your body needs to reduce the inflammation associated with acne. - Fresh fruit and veg
Rich in beta-carotene! Adding anti-inflammatory foods and helping to clear impurities from the body, there are so many reasons to increase your fresh fruit and vegetable intake!
Unsweetened almond milk instead of cow’s milk
Dairy has been linked to a higher incidence of acne, and so other options for your ‘milk’ intake are a great idea. Just remember, they must also not be high in sugar.
Tea tree oil, our favourite natural remedy!
Tea tree oil is one of our favourite natural remedies for acne prevention, with proven results! Tea tree oil has natural antibacterial properties that destroy the nasty bacteria that contribute to acne, making it an excellent preventive!
Don’t dry out
While we often associate oily skin with acne, dry skin can also cause breakouts! If your skin is too dry, it won’t be able to maintain its cell turnover, leaving you with clogged pores and, in turn, pimples! Being dehydrated, using very hot water to wash your face, and over-washing your face are all factors that cause your skin to dry out. This means your body will go into oil production overdrive to try to fight it, leaving you with pimples. Keeping hydrated, using a non-oil-based moisturiser, washing your face with lukewarm water, and using hydrating beauty products are simple steps you can follow to maintain your skin and prevent acne.
Go topical
There are times in our lives when our PCOS acne breakouts feel like they’re starting to become out of control. This could be due to factors such as stress or lack of sleep. It’s times like these when a topical treatment can reduce and help further prevent our acne.
Medically speaking, so you know what options you may be given here:
Benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, and azelaic acid are topical treatments used for PCOS acne.
Retinoids are often used in the early stages of acne, when you are first breaking out. It assists in unblocking pores and in managing and treating blackheads, whiteheads, and mildly inflamed areas.
Azelaic acid also helps unclog pores, clear blackheads, and reduce inflamed areas. One topical medical treatment that causes less skin irritation is recommended for those with sensitive skin.
Benzoyl, one of the most popular topical treatments out there, has three significant actions: it kills bacteria, reduces inflammation, and helps unclog pores, which supports our skin in managing acne.
With the correct information and approaches, you can reclaim vibrant, blemish-free skin.
From PCOS to perfect health, with love,
Dr. Rebecca Harwin
The PCOS Expert
Chiropractor & Bestselling Author of
Conquer Your PCOS Naturally
www.ConquerYourPCOSNaturally.com
P.S. Get your copy of my Amazon bestselling book Conquer Your PCOS Naturally to discover in-depth, proven approaches to improve the health and look of your skin.
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