Adult Acne - who invited you?
Acne after birth control?
You're not alone. It's common, but it doesn't have to become your new normal.
Why does it happen?
Androgen rebound
This is when your body produces more testosterone once you come off birth control (which suppress our natural hormones). Welcome extra sebum, oily skin and hello acne.
Zinc deficiency
The pill depletes the body of zinc (and many other vitamins and minerals). Zinc is the holy grail for healthy skin.
Disruption to the microbiome
Which can lead to intestinal permeability ('leaky gut') and an increase in inflammation
Other Causes of Acne
Oestrogen dominance - when oestrogen is in excess relative to progesterone.
Excess testosterone - as seen in PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
Poor diet and consumption of Inflammatory foods- eg dairy, gluten, sugar, processed foods and high glycemic index foods spike blood sugar, oil production and inflammation.
Food sensitivities- where the body creates an immune response to foods & damages the gut lining.
Poor detoxification- especially liver detox pathways where the metabolism & elimination of hormones & toxins is impaired
Constipation- causes reabsorption of toxins into the bloodstream
Stress- increases oil production & excess sebum, dysregulates hormones and contributes to oestrogen/progesterone imbalance and androgen excess
Poor gut & digestive health- Eg imbalance in gut flora, SIBO ect can cause intestinal permeability ('leaky gut'), trigger an immune response and inflammation.
My Top Tips
As always address the underlying cause- consult with a practitioner to investigate hormones, gut, liver & digestive health, food sensitivities/intolerances, nutrient deficiencies as treatment will vary for each individual.
When transitioning off hormonal birth control replace depleted vitamins/minerals necessary for healthy skin (eg zinc, magnesium, selenium, B vitamins, vitamin C)
Improve digestion- try lemon juice or apple cider vinegar before meals (diluted in water)
Support gut health- through gut healing powders, probiotics and prebiotics. Speak with your practitioner to see which formulations & strains are best for you.
Increase foods high in omega 3- eg salmon, sardines, chia, flaxseeds. These are high in EPA, a potent anti-inflammatory and great for the skin.
Increase zinc & vitamin A foods or supplement (under the care of your practitioner) - eg oysters, sweet potato, broccoli, pumpkin seeds. Helps reduce sebum production, assist in skin healing, and support immune system to protect against bacteria
Bone broth - high in collagen and glutamine. Great for the skin and gut repair!
Remove inflammatory foods- gluten, dairy and sugar are the big ones!
Increase foods & herbs that support liver detoxification- eg dandelion root, St Mary's Thistle, turmeric, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower)
Up the fibre- you need to poop daily to clear oestrogen and toxins. Fibre also feeds your good bacteria!
HYDRATION- at least 2-3L filtered water daily
Reduce your stress- try meditation, yoga, a walk in nature or any self-care activity you love!
Don't over cleanse- the skin has it's own microbiome. By over cleansing you also remove your good bacteria and damage the integrity of the skin (increasing inflammation and irritation).
When using herbal or nutritional supplementation always work along side a qualified practitioner
Acne doesn’t have to be a life sentence - reach out and let’s work together to investigate what the underlying cause is and bring your body back to balance.