PCOS And Acne: Top 4 Remedies That’ll Help You Achieve Clear Skin

PCOS And Acne: Top 4 Remedies That’ll Help You Achieve Clear Skin

Question:

Are you an adult woman with skin that’s still prone to breakouts?

If yes, you probably have PCOS-related acne. It happens when your hormones go crazy and your acne no longer responds well to topical products.

But, don’t fret.

There is a way for you to clear your skin and that is exactly what this guide is all about. It’s carefully created to make sure you treat your skin from both inside and outside.

Now, before we get started with the remedies, I want to tell you something.

These PCOS acne remedies can’t deliver results right away. But, just be patient when following them and I assure you that you’ll get great results

Shall we get started?

PCOS And Acne: Top 4 Remedies That’ll Help You Achieve Clear Skin

What is PCOS?

PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a hormone disorder that affects women. It has a lot of symptoms including irregular periods (or none at all) and weight gain.

But, there’s one symptom that seems to be the most notable of all.

You guessed it right- acne!

It’s like this.

When the body becomes resistant to insulin, the pancreas responds to this “loss” by producing more insulin. This hormone, in case you’re wondering, has an effect on your oil glands.

The more insulin you have, the more active your oil glands will be.

Once there’s too much sebum, you’re more likely to get clogged pores.

One way to detect PCOS-related acne is when you’ve had acne in your teens yet it still persists in your adult life. Or, acne only started to develop now that you’re an adult.

PCOS-related acne flares in “hormonally sensitive” areas like the upper neck, chin, jawline, and cheeks. Acne occurs under the skin and usually flares before having your period.

Hormonal acne can be treated with hormonal therapy. Drugs like Spironolactone or birth control pills can also be taken to control acne outbreaks.

But, for a more natural take, check out the following highly effective PCOS acne remedies.

1. Cleanse With Honey

PCOS acne

Frequency: Twice a day, every day

How To Do It:

  • check
    Pour ½ teaspoon of honey on your palms. Massage it to your face using your fingers.
  • check
    Wait for at least 5 minutes before rinsing it off.

Why It Works:

There are various ways to use honey to fight acne. But for now, let us focus on using it alone.

Honey is an antibacterial agent which means it can fight acne-causing bacteria. It can control oil production, too.

In addition to that, honey also has vitamin C. However, its ascorbic content isn't that high so don't expect too much when it comes to that department.

Now, here's one more thing:

Since honey is an emollient and humectant, it can also moisturize and hydrate the skin. So, if you are suffering from dry, flaky skin, make sure to include honey in your other skincare recipes.

Your skin will surely thank you for it.

2. Tone With Apple Cider Vinegar

PCOS acne

Frequency: Every day after cleansing

How To Do It:

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    In a bowl, mix 1 part of ACV with 2 parts of water. Mix well and transfer contents to a bottle.
  • check
    Pour a small amount of the mixture on a cotton ball and apply it all over your face.

Why It Works:

Apple cider vinegar is great for acne as it contains alpha-hydroxy acids. These acids act as mild exfoliants to speed up the removal of dead skin cells.

It’s also a natural astringent. This means that if you have enlarged pores, ACV can shrink the pores to prevent them from getting clogged and to avoid future breakouts.

But, that’s not all.

Apple cider vinegar can also restore your skin’s pH balance. If your skin is in harmony, there’s a lesser chance for acne to develop.

Note: Always dilute ACV before applying to your face. It shouldn’t be used on its own to avoid skin irritations.

3. Slather On A Turmeric Face Mask

PCOS acne

Frequency: Twice a week maximum

How To Do It:

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    Mash ½ of avocado in a bowl using a fork. Alternatively, you can put it in a food processor and blend until smooth.
  • check
    Combine a tablespoon of avocado puree, a teaspoon of yogurt, and ¼ teaspoon of turmeric. Mix well to avoid any lumps.
  • check
    Carefully apply the mask all over the face. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes before rinsing it off.

Why It Works:

Dry skin is one of the things that can trigger breakouts. If you have dry, acne-prone skin type, you will definitely benefit from avocados.

Avocados are a good source of fatty acids and natural oils. They help hydrate and moisturize the skin to keep it soft and supple.

It even has Vitamin E to fight free radicals. Free radicals cause premature skin aging, making this antioxidant beneficial for mature skin, too.

Yogurt, on the other hand, is packed with good bacteria. These good bacteria fight the bad ones to prevent those zits from forming.

Who can forget turmeric?

Turmeric has a number of skin benefits. It acts as an antibacterial agent which targets P. acnes, the bacteria that cause acne.

It also has anti-inflammatory properties to calm red and irritated skin.

Note: Put your hair in a ponytail or wear a headband to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hair. Always use plain or Greek yogurt to prevent skin irritation.

Third, turmeric stains everything so make sure to wear an old shirt when doing this remedy.

If the turmeric leaves a yellowish tint, try applying avocado oil. Aside from moisturizing the face, you’ll also notice that the color goes away with it.

4. Prep A Green Smoothie

PCOS acne

Frequency: Every day

What You’ll Need:

  • A ripe banana (sliced)
  • An apple (sliced)
  • Half a cucumber (sliced)
  • plus
    4 kale leaves (large)
  • plus
    A handful of mint
  • plus
    A handful of parsley

How To Do It:

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    Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Blend well.
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    Transfer contents to a glass. Make it part of your daily breakfast.

Why It Works:

Bananas are rich in potassium to heal dry skin. They also contain a good amount of antioxidants to fight free radicals and maintain the overall health of the skin.

Meanwhile, apples contain antioxidants to prevent premature aging. They have a good amount of Vitamin C, too, to boost collagen production and help with your skin’s natural process of repairing itself.

Cucumbers have a high water content so they’re great for hydrating the skin. As for parsley, it can control oil production to prevent your pores from getting clogged.

And to top it all off...

Mint leaves boast of their anti-inflammatory property. If you have existing red and inflamed spots, you’ll benefit a lot from this ingredient.

They also give this smoothie a refreshing taste, too.

Now, if this smoothie isn’t really your thing, you can check out this diet that fights cystic acne.

Conclusion

Continuously getting acne even if you’re already over your teenage years can be frustrating. It seems that no matter what you do or what you apply to your skin, it just won’t stop breaking out.

The good news is that PCOS-related acne can be controlled. The secret is in helping your skin heal from the inside out.

And that is exactly where these remedies for PCOS acne can help you.

Stick with these remedies and you’ll be able to reduce and even prevent more skin breakouts.

Have you experienced PCOS-related acne before? What natural remedies have you tried to cure it?

Dr Kathleen May Eusebio-Alpapara

A board-certified dermatologist who practices both medical and cosmetic dermatology

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