The other day I started having one of the worst breakouts I've had in a while. There could have been many factors contributing to it — stress, lack of sleep, recent travel, not hydrating enough, etc. But, I knew what was coming around the corner, so it was most likely hormonal acne.
Hormonal acne — though completely normal — can be a frustrating and persistent issue for many people, especially when it takes you by surprise. Your normal skincare routine probably won't work when you're having these breakouts, and generally, you'll have to just wait for it to pass. That is, of course, until the next month rolls around...
and, the next month.
And, the next month.
So, naturally, when I was at the store during this breakout and browsing the tea aisle, I literally asked outloud: "I wonder if there's a tea for this breakout?!" Alas, here we are.
If you're experiencing hormonal acne like me — or the 50% of women in their 20s and 25% of women in their 40s who experience it — the good news is that there are a few teas that can help.
In this guide, we'll talk more about hormonal acne and what the best teas are for your skin; not just during these breakouts, but in general.
Understanding Hormonal Acne
Hormonal acne is obviously caused by hormones, but why does it exactly happen? After all, most of us adults don't want to relive our adolescence, which is a time when hormones are flying and acne is common.
The problem is, hormonal acne is usually unavoidable even — and, especially — as an adult, as it's typically caused by any fluctuations in hormones, particularly androgens. These androgens can increase oil production in the skin known as "sebum" which can then lead to breakouts. This usually happens around your period, but there can be other causes for hormonal acne in both adult men and women.
What are the Causes of Hormonal Acne?
There are many reasons that someone would experience fluctuations in their hormones, causing you to seek out some herbal tea to help with that hormonal acne. These include:
Menstruation: Hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone, fluctuate during your period, increasing oil production and causing those lovely acne breakouts.
Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also increase that sebum production, resulting in acne. Yes — that "pregnancy glow" doesn't necessarily happen for everyone; at least not the entire time.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a hormonal disorder that increases androgen levels, leading to acne and a number of other symptoms like excessive hair-growth, which for some people, can lead to additional problems with acne.
Health conditions: Other conditions affecting the endocrine system can cause hormonal imbalances and thus hormonal acne.
Menopause: Similar to puberty and menstruation, increased estrogen levels during menopause can lead to hormonal imbalances and acne.
Stress: Elevated cortisol levels due to stress can disrupt hormonal balance and exacerbate acne, which is why these breakouts don't only impact women.
Diet and lifestyle: The above also goes for diet and other lifestyle habits. Though each person reacts differently, generally the high intake of sugar, dairy, and processed and greasy foods can spike insulin levels, increasing oil production. Lack of sleep, exercise, and poor hygiene are also factors. Combine this with others on this list, and you might wake up wondering what happened to your face!
Medications: Certain medications, like steroids and antidepressants, can alter hormonal balance, leading to acne.
Ultimately, whatever the cause is of your hormonal acne, it yields the same results: clogged pores, inflammation, and full-on acne breakouts. And, trying to address it with soaps, creams, and other topical solutions — even covering it with makeup — may just aggravate it more and make it persist. And, asking a woman to give up her sweets during her period? Forget about it.
What if there was a natural (and, tasty!) solution, like tea, that could help with hormonal acne?
The Best Teas for Hormonal Acne
Most teas — especially herbal teas — contain a plethora of different compounds and properties that help with your skin health. From polyphenols like those found in green tea which are strong antioxidants, to dandelion tea that features high levels of vitamins A, C, and E, to most have anti-inflammatory properties, drinking tea can help calm down a hormonal acne breakout.
Let's discover some of the best teas for hormonal acne:
1. Spearmint Tea
Spearmint tea is the first on our list. Known for its anti-androgenic properties, spearmint tea can potentially help reduce the levels of hormones like testosterone that can contribute to acne. And, drinking spearmint tea regularly can help decrease inflammation and reduce the frequency and severity of acne breakouts.
2. Peppermint Tea
Another great tea to drink when you're having a hormonal breakout is peppermint tea. This tea has potent antimicrobial and potent inflammatory properties, like menthol. In general, menthol can help soothe irritated skin, reducing the redness and swelling that accompanies a breakout.
Not only this, but those antimicrobial properties can help diminish the presence of acne-causing bacteria, such as Propionibacterium acnes, leading to fewer breakouts and promoting clearer skin in the long-run.
3. Dandelion Tea
Dandelion tea for acne is another choice, as it's known for its detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties. Dandelion tea also supports liver function, which as you may know, aids in balancing hormone levels and essentially, keeping them in check.
Dandelion tea also has anti-inflammatory properties which, like other teas on this list, can help to bring down the redness and irritation resulting from a breakout. And, drinking dandelion tea regularly can help manage hormonal imbalances as well as well as inflammation. So, you may want to keep some readily available in your cupboard!
4. Green Tea
What is green tea not good for?! Though not an herbal tea like others on this list, green tea is an extremely versatile (and, may we say, magical) tea that can help with so many health and beauty goals, as its packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Green tea is not only known to promote healthier skin overall, but when it comes specifically to hormonal acne, it's a perfect option because it contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG works to reduce sebum production and fight inflammation. All these components work together to fight clogged pores, redness, and skin inflammation, which are the culprits behind a nasty acne breakout.
Let's also not forget that green tea has L-theanine, which helps to reduce stress levels that can contribute to a breakout as well.
5. Raspberry Leaf Tea
Like green tea, raspberry leaf tea can help support a variety of health and wellness goals. To start, this special herbal tea is known for its hormone-regulating properties, which can help balance estrogen levels and potentially reduce hormonal acne. This is what makes it a great postpartum tea, too!
By supporting hormonal balance, raspberry leaf tea does a good job at addressing that underlying causes of hormonal acne, which means you could start drinking it when you know your period is coming. Even if your cycle is irregular, raspberry leaf tea is rich in vitamins and minerals that promote overall skin health and support reproductive health, too, Why not try it?
6. Rooibos Tea
Last but not least, rooibos tea is — you guessed it — also quite rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. But, if you're one of those people whose skin takes a while to clear up after a hormonal break out, rooibos tea is the go-to choice as it's a natural healer. Rooibos tea is known to protect the skin from damage that may come from a breakout. Rooibos tea also helps support blood-sugar levels and digestion, which can sometimes get out of whack during a hormone fluctuation, also leading to a breakout.
A little secret? This is the tea that I ended up choosing for my breakout when I was at the grocery store!
How to Use Tea to Clear Up Your Skin
Drinking tea is one way to help calm down and clear up your skin during a hormonal breakout. But, there are a few ways to help maximize its effects, without furthering the intensity of the acne:
Aside from green tea, opt for herbal tea, as it is naturally caffeine-free. For some people, caffeine can aggravate the skin. Not only this, but being able to drink this tea in the evening when experiencing a hormonal breakout can help reduce stress, which also contributes to the problem.
Refrain from adding sugar to your tea which can intensify breakouts.
Consume herbal tea before the onset of your menstrual period and during PMS symptoms to help prevent hormonal acne.
Experiment with different teas during different periods of hormonal breakouts to determine which one suits you best.
Maintain consistency by drinking 1-2 cups daily for maximum efficacy.
Prioritize quality by selecting organic, high-grade teas to ensure optimal nutrient intake.
Listen to your body's signals and adjust your tea consumption based on how your skin reacts.
Other Ways to Protect Your Skin
Drinking tea is certainly one way to promote healthy skin; not just during a breakout, but all the time. That being said, as much as we love tea, we understand that it's not the only way to help your skin. And, we also know that not everyone will see their skin benefit from it as much as others.
So, here are some other ways to support your skin in conjunction with trying some herbal tea for breakouts.
1. Be careful in the sun: While some Vitamin D is good for your skin, harmful UV rays from being out in the sun can damage your skin. Use a mineral-based sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher when you go outside, reapply often, and wear a hat on those sunny days.
2. Hydrate often: Drinking more water is sometimes all it takes to have healthier skin and reduce breakouts. Aim for at least two liters of water a day. And, as for tea, stick to 1-2 cups a day. Tea has great benefits for your skin, but everything in moderation!
3. Eat a balanced diet: It's no secret that eating a healthy and balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can be good for not just your body, but your skin. In addition to drinking tea, try and incorporate foods high in antioxidants, like berries, leafy greens, and nuts.
4. Try to manage your stress: Stress can do different things to different people, but for most of us, it can exacerbate skin issues like acne and eczema. Chamomile tea and green tea can help bring down stress levels, but it's important to monitor yourself and try other techniques that work for you.
5. Gentle skincare products: Skincare products can be a hit or miss, as they can sometimes do more harm than good. If you are going to use them, opt for skincare products formulated with gentle, non-irritating ingredients to avoid aggravating your skin further.
Can You Use a Tea Mask to Treat a Hormonal Breakout?
You might be wondering whether or not it's safe to use a tea mask during a hormonal breakout. A tea mask can give you all the benefits of drinking tea, but when applied directly on your skin, it can speed up that treatment, which is important if you have somewhere to be!
Generally, a tea mask is safe to use during a hormonal breakout, but it does depend on the person. To prevent your skin reacting further and thus prolonging your breakout, do a patch-test beforehand to ensure it doesn't cause any adverse reactions on your skin.
Treat Your Next Breakout with Tea!
The best tea for hormonal acne depends on what works for you, as no two people will react the same. We all have different levels of breakouts, and can experience them due to different factors that impact our hormones. No matter what, choosing to drink tea for hormonal acne may not only help you in the midst of a breakout, but long-term. This is because drinking these teas consistently can help prevent the next breakout, or at least reduce its severity when it does come.
Have you tried drinking tea to reduce the effects of hormonal acne? Let us know how it went!
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