The hormonal acne diet is very important in managing the symptoms of hormonal acne which affects many women in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s.
Hormonal Acne Symptoms
Hormonal acne symptoms include the following:
* Getting acne white heads, black heads, pimples and nodules mainly around the chin and jaw line.
* Getting acne before monthly periods due to hormonal fluctuations.
* Having a lot of hair on the chin even though you are a woman because of hormonal conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome.
* Getting acne during pregnancy due to hormonal changes.
Hormonal Acne Diet
If you want to clear up hormonal acne first, the first step in the hormonal acne diet is to stop consuming the following foods:
Stop Consuming Sugary Foods
A study found that consuming sugary foods with a high glycemic index have a role to play in the development of acne. Therefore, stop consuming foods with a high glycemic index of over 70 like sweets, white rice, breakfast cereals, processed fruit juices, white bread and cakes, cookies made from white flour.
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Stop Consuming Milk
A study found that consuming milk may have a role to play in the development of acne especially in people who follow a Western diet. Therefore, limit your consumption of cow’s milk.
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Stop Consuming Chocolate
A study suggested that consuming chocolate could potentially contribute to acne development. Chocolate also contains sugar and milk. Therefore stop eating chocolate.
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Stop Eating Farmed Meats
*Stop eating hormone disrupting foods like meat, chicken, fish, eggs and dairy products from non-organic, farmed animals since they contain many hormones (like testosterone, estradiol, progesterone and growth hormones), antibiotics, PCBs and even toxins like mercury. The endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) in these foods disrupt the balance of hormones like estrogen and progesterone in your body which can lead to acne breakouts. Therefore steer clear from foods which trigger hormonal acne like farmed meats and products made from them.
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Avoid Eating Soybeans
*Stop eating soybeans because they contain phytoestrogens which block the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. This can markedly reduce estrogen levels in the body and lead to acne.
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Avoid Eating Sesame Seeds
*Stop eating sesame seeds because they contain phytoestrogens which block the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. This can markedly reduce estrogen levels in the body and lead to acne.
In conclusion, the foods you should avoid if you have hormonal acne include milk, sugary foods like cakes, chocolate, soy beans, and sesame seeds.
To learn more about the hormonal acne diet read The Acne Diet Book
Click here to buy The Acne Diet Book
If you want to clear up hormonal acne, the second step in the hormonal acne diet is to start consuming foods that help with hormonal acne treatment like the following:
Eat Low Glycemic Index Foods
A study found that a low glycemic index (GI) diet improved acne symptoms. Low GI foods do not cause the blood sugar changes that ultimately lead to increased sebum production and acne breakouts. Examples include whole grains like whole grain bread, brown rice and oatmeal. Other low GI foods include beans, non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and tomatoes. Low GI fruits include apples, pears, oranges and strawberries. Therefore consume low GI foods every day as they are very important for an acne prevention diet.
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Eat Fatty Fish
A study found that many patients with acne had omega 3 fatty acid deficiency and acne improved when they corrected this deficiency. This can be done by eating fatty fish like salmon since they contains omega 3 fatty acids which can reduce inflammation. They also lower levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 which affects androgen levels in the body.
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Eat Selenium Rich Foods
Eat selenium rich foods since patients with acne have been found to have low selenium levels. Examples include Brazil nuts, organ meats, beef, chicken and seafood. Ensure that the meats are organic meats like grass-fed meats and free range chicken since they are less likely to contain endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Click here to buy organic meat.
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Eat Zinc Rich Foods
Studies have shown that patients with acne often have low zinc levels. Zinc supplements have also been shown by studies like this one and this one to improve acne. Therefore increase your intake of zinc-rich foods like oysters, beef, chicken, eggs and pumpkin seeds.
You can also start adding pumpkin seed oil to your diet by dribbling it over your salads since it has anti-androgen properties, it reduces inflammation in the body and helps wounds heal faster. Pumpkin seed oil also contains skin nourishing vitamins, minerals and fatty acids. Click here to buy pumpkin seed oil.
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To learn more about the hormonal acne diet read The Acne Diet Book
Click here to buy The Acne Diet Book
If you want to clear up hormonal acne, the third step in a hormonal acne diet is to start drinking drinks foods that help with hormonal acne treatment like the following:
Drink Peppermint Tea
Drink 2 cups of peppermint tea each day since it can help reduce the levels of androgens in the body. Mint tea is useful for hormonal acne treatment since a Turkish study found that drinking 2 cups of peppermint tea a day for a month reduced testosterone levels in women. Spearmint tea is also beneficial. To prepare mint tea, steep 1 tablespoon of fresh mint leaves or 1 teaspoon of dried mint leaves in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes and drink it once it cools. Click here to buy peppermint tea.
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Drink Nettle Tea
Drink 1 cup of stinging nettle tea each day since it has anti-androgen properties Nettle tea has anti-androgen properties because it is a natural DHT blocker. It also has anti-inflammatory properties which can reduce the inflammation of acne. Stinging nettle is also a good source of nutrients that are important for treating acne like vitamins A, C and E. To prepare nettle tea, steep 1 tablespoon of fresh nettle leaves or 1 teaspoon of dried nettle leaves in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes and drink it once it cools. Click here to buy nettle tea.
In conclusion, the drinks you should consume to get rid of hormonal acne include peppermint tea and green tea.
To learn more about the hormonal acne diet read The Acne Diet Book
Click here to buy The Acne Diet Book
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3 Day Hormonal Acne Meal Plan
This hormonal acne diet meal plan will help you get rid of acne.
Day 1
Breakfast
Parfait made with 1 cup yogurt with live cultures, ½ cup strawberries, 1 tbsp flaxseeds
2 slices French toast made from wholegrain bread, 2 eggs, ½ cup almond milk, 1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup peppermint tea
Mid Morning Snack
Sliced, raw vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers
1 tbsp peanut butter
Lunch
4 oz grilled, organic salmon with seasoning and 1 cup brown rice
Rainbow vegetables sauteed in olive oil like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, zucchini
Banana berry ice-cream made by blending 2 frozen bananas, 1 cup berries, 2 tbsp almond milk
Mid Afternoon Snack
1 cup peppermint tea
½ cup raw peanuts
Dinner
1 cup grilled pumpkin drizzled with 1 tbsp of pumpkin seed oil
Rainbow soup made from vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, onions, tomatoes, zucchini and spiced with black pepper, garlic and ginger.
1 cup strawberries
Day 2
Breakfast
Parfait made with 1 cup yogurt with live cultures, ½ cup mango cubes, 1 tbsp shredded coconut, 1 tbsp flaxseeds
2 slices wholegrain bread with omelette made from 2 eggs, 1 tomato, ½ bell pepper, ½ onion
1 cup spearmint tea
Mid Morning Snack
Sliced, raw vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers
1 tbsp peanut butter or other nut butter
Lunch
4 oz steamed, organic chicken with seasoning and 1 cup brown rice
Rainbow vegetables sauteed in olive oil like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, zucchini
Banana mango ice-cream made by blending 2 frozen bananas, 1 cup mango cubes, 2 tbsp almond milk
Mid Afternoon Snack
1 cup spearmint tea
½ cup Brazil nuts or other nuts
Dinner
1 cup grilled sweet potato drizzled with 1 tbsp of pumpkin seed oil
Rainbow soup made from vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, onions, tomatoes, zucchini and spiced with black pepper, garlic and ginger.
1 cup pineapple cubes
Day 3
Breakfast
Parfait made with 1 cup yogurt with live cultures, ½ cup orange pieces, 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds, 1 tbsp flaxseeds
2 slices French toast made from wholegrain bread, 2 eggs, ½ cup almond milk, 1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup green tea
Mid Morning Snack
Sliced, raw vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers
1 tbsp peanut butter
Lunch
4 oz ground, organic beef spaghetti sauce made with tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, olive oil and 1 cup whole grain spaghetti
Rainbow vegetables sauteed in olive oil like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, zucchini
Banana orange ice-cream made by blending 2 frozen bananas, 1 cup orange slices 2 tbsp almond milk
Mid Afternoon Snack
1 cup green tea
½ cup walnuts or other nuts
Dinner
1 cup grilled squash drizzled with 1 tbsp of pumpkin seed oil
Rainbow soup made from vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, onions, tomatoes, zucchini and spiced with black pepper, garlic and ginger.
1 orange
For the 7 day hormonal acne diet meal plan read The Acne Diet Book
Click here to buy The Acne Diet Book
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FREE 3 Day Hormonal Acne Diet Plan PDF
Click on the link below to download the free 3 day Hormonal Acne Diet Plan PDF
For the full hormonal acne diet meal plan read The Acne Diet Book
Click here to buy The Acne Diet Book
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Hormonal Acne Treatment
It is important to note that hormonal acne treatment also includes the use of skincare products with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.
Prescription medication are also used for the more severe hormonal acne.
FAQ
What Foods Stop Acne In Females?
Peppermint tea can be considered to be one of the foods which stop acne in females since a Turkish study found that women who drank 2 cups of peppermint tea each day for a month had reduced testosterone. You can therefore lower your hormone levels for acne by drinking peppermint tea each day.
Can I Eat Eggs If I Have Hormonal Acne?
Yes, you can eat eggs if you have hormonal acne since they have not been linked to acne by studies. However if you notice breakouts 3 days after eating eggs, eliminate them from your diet for 1 month and watch how your skin responds when you eat 1 egg after the elimination period.
What Worsens Hormonal Acne?
Factors which worsen hormonal acne include:
*Stress
*Comedogenic skincare and hair care products
How To Balance Hormones for Acne In Females?
To balance hormones for acne in females combine following a hormonal acne diet with taking omega 3 supplements and lifestyle changes like getting better sleep. Stress management is also important since stress worsens acne. Click here to learn about Stress Relief Activities to help you relax.
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