How Hormonal Imbalances Affect Skin Health and Why Testing is Key!
Hormones play a crucial role in many aspects of our health, but when it comes to skin health, their influence is undeniable. From acne to eczema, peri-oral dermatitis to psoriasis, hormonal imbalances can wreak havoc on your skin, often without warning. Understanding the intricate relationship between your hormones and skin health is key to addressing underlying causes and finding effective solutions.
In this blog, we’ll dive into how various hormonal imbalances affect your skin, the importance of hormone testing, and why accurate testing at the right time is essential for uncovering the root cause of your skin concerns.
The Link Between Hormones and Skin Health
Hormones are the body's chemical messengers, and they regulate many of the body's processes, including those that affect the skin. Imbalances in these hormones can trigger a variety of skin conditions. Here’s how the major hormones can impact your skin:
1. High Oestrogen: When Too Much Is Harmful
While oestrogen is essential for maintaining healthy, youthful skin, too much of it can lead to skin problems. High oestrogen levels are often linked to acne, particularly in women who may be on hormonal contraceptives, or have oestrogen dominance, where oestrogen levels are disproportionately high compared to progesterone. This imbalance can increase oil production, leading to clogged pores and breakouts.
High oestrogen can also contribute to conditions like melasma (hormonal pigmentation) or worsen symptoms of hormonal acne. Other signs of oestrogen dominance can include bloating, mood swings, and tender breasts.
Symptoms of high oestrogen:
Acne, especially worse leading up to your period
Oily skin
Pigmentation, such as melasma
Mood swings and irritability
Tender or swollen breasts
2. Progesterone: The Soothing Hormone
Progesterone has a calming effect on the body, and it also has a balancing influence on the skin. It helps reduce inflammation and supports the skin’s natural barrier. When progesterone levels are low, skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and rosacea can worsen. High progesterone levels, often seen in pregnancy, can sometimes lead to increased oil production and acne.
Symptoms of progesterone imbalance:
Premenstrual Acne
PMS & PMDD
Premenstrual flare-ups of eczema or rosacea
3. Testosterone: The Acne Culprit
Testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, is present in both men and women, but it can have a significant effect on skin in women. Higher levels of testosterone can trigger the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, leading to clogged pores and acne. This is often seen in conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), where elevated testosterone levels are common.
Symptoms of testosterone imbalance:
Acne, especially on the lower face and jawline
Oily skin
Excess facial or body hair (hirsutism)
Thinning hair or hair loss
4. Insulin: The Hidden Contributor to Acne
Insulin, often linked with blood sugar regulation, can also significantly impact skin health. When insulin levels are elevated, it can lead to increased sebum production and clogged pores, contributing to acne. This is especially relevant in conditions like insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes, where blood sugar levels are poorly regulated.
Symptoms of insulin imbalance:
Adult-onset acne
Oily skin
Pigmentation changes or skin darkening, particularly around the neck or underarms
5. Thyroid Hormones: The Slow-Mo Skin Effect
The thyroid hormones—T3 and T4—regulate metabolism, and their imbalance can have widespread effects on the skin. Hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) can lead to dry, flaky skin, while hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) can result in thin, fragile skin. Both conditions can also impact hair growth, with hypothyroidism often causing hair thinning.
Symptoms of thyroid imbalance:
Dry, flaky skin
Thin or fragile skin
Hair thinning or loss
Brittle nails
Why Hormonal Testing is Crucial for Skin Health
Identifying and addressing hormonal imbalances is crucial when it comes to improving skin health. However, hormonal testing is often underutilised or misunderstood, leaving many people treating the symptoms of their skin conditions without uncovering the root cause. Hormonal testing can provide valuable insights into which imbalances may be at play and help guide a more targeted and effective treatment plan.
The Importance of Testing at the Right Time
For accurate hormone testing, it’s important to test your hormones on the correct days of your cycle. Hormones fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, so testing on the right days is essential to get accurate results.
For baseline hormones testing should be done on days 2 or 3 of your menstrual cycle (the first few days of your period). This is when hormone levels are relatively stable, allowing for a clear baseline measurement.
For post-ovulation hormones, testing should be done around day 21 of a 28-day cycle (about 7 days after ovulation). This is when progesterone peaks, and you can assess the balance between oestrogen and progesterone in the luteal phase.
By testing at the correct time in your cycle, you can better understand how these hormones are fluctuating and how they may be impacting your skin.
Why Optimal Ranges Matter in Hormonal Testing
When you get a hormonal test, the results are often compared to a reference range provided by the lab. However, many reference ranges are based on the average population and can be too wide to provide accurate insights into your optimal health. For example, a hormone level might fall within the “normal” reference range but still be too high or too low for optimal health.
That's why it’s essential to assess hormones against optimal ranges, which are narrower and reflect the levels associated with peak health and vitality. These ranges take into account what is ideal for overall well-being, rather than just what is considered “normal” for the general population.
The Optimal Ranges for Key Hormones
Here are the optimal ranges for the key hormones involved in skin health:
Oestrogen: 120-160 pmol/L (Day 2)
Progesterone: 30+ nmol/L (Day 21)
Testosterone: 0.8-1.2 nmol/L (Day 2)
Insulin: 4-5 µU/mL (fasting)
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH): 1.0-2.0 mU/L (fasting)
These ranges are just a guide, and individual needs may vary. It's important to work with a healthcare provider to interpret your results in the context of your overall health and symptoms.
How My Blood Test Cheat Sheet Can Help
Hormonal imbalances are often at the root of skin concerns, and understanding your hormone levels can be a game-changer in your skincare journey. My Blood Test Cheat Sheet offers comprehensive insights into hormone testing, providing you with the optimal ranges for all key hormones, plus many other blood tests. With this cheat sheet, you’ll be able to assess your own blood test results and understand whether your levels are within optimal ranges—helping you take the guesswork out of your skin health.
Take control of your skin health today and book a consultation to get your hormone levels tested. With the right testing and interpretation, you can finally uncover the root cause of your skin issues and get on the path to clear, glowing skin.