We asked, you answered. Below, we’ve rounded up the best advice on handling skin issues related to PCOS straight from The Klog community.
Women with PCOS tend to experience hormonal acne regularly. This is largely because PCOS causes a production of abnormally high levels of testosterone, DHEA, and insulin, resulting in excessive activity of the sebaceous glands and oil production. If you’re seeking tips on how to deal with hormonal acne caused by PCOS, your fellow Klog readers have your back.
We recently called on The Klog Instagram community to share their experiences with PCOS hormonal acne, and we received a wealth of responses. Read on for some of the best advice and anecdotes we received, and consult with your doctor or dermatologist to see if any of the methods mentioned below might be right for you.
Tip: Drink peppermint and licorice tea.
“My tip is to drink peppermint and licorice tea. [It] helps to regulate my testosterone levels. I [have] also [quit] consuming dairy products and only [eat] meat once a week.”
– @the_kubra
RELATED: PCOS and Your Skin: How It Affects Your Skin and How to Treat Its Hormonal Acne
Tip: Follow a clean, healthy diet and practice healthy lifestyle habits.
“Nothing beats a good diet! For me, it’s been a dairy-free lifestyle. However, for the one or two pesky [breakouts] that come in when I’m stressed, the COSRX Low-pH Good Morning Cleanser has worked wonders! So has the Klairs Freshly Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Drop for acne scars!”
– @thepalathinkal
“Consuming less carbs every day. [Playing] sport[s]/ [having a] workout routine at least 3 times a week. Be happy!”
– @bujokoskincare
“I cut foods that spike my blood sugar to keep my hormones balanced and eat more dark veggies instead. I [have] also cut dairy.”
– @anamhasan5
Tip: Consult your doctor regarding birth control options.
“I eventually had to start birth control which my dermatologist, endocrinologist, and gynecologist all had been recommending. Nothing else was helping, but now my skin is mostly all clear!”
– @nhonan112
“I’m currently taking the pill … [it’s] currently the only solution that works with cramps, acne, and everything PCOS-related.”
– @baebaeisbaek
Tip: Consider talking to your doctor about taking vitamin supplements.
“My nurse practitioner told me about supplements. Vitamin D, Omega 3, and probiotics really helped. Treating the inside like gut health is more effect[ive] because it counters the effects hormonal imbalances cause. Women with PCOS have high testosterone and omega 3 helps in lowering that. Once I started paying attention to my gut health and going to [a] nutritionist, I got my period back.”
– @beabedonia
“… Honestly what I’ve found helpful is a supplement called DIM-plus by Nature’s Way. It’s a supplement that helps to regulate your hormones. I’ve taken it for years and it helps with so many of my symptoms.”
– @kailea_11
Tip: Add Prescription Skin Care to Your Routine.
“I took Accutane and I never had [acne] again!”
– @ari_yamazaki
“Retinol! It made a huge difference. I also use the Dewytree Ultra Vitalizing Snail Essence Water and Charlotte’s Then I Met You Birch Milk Refining Toner.”
– @fallbutterfly