Skin Health & Hormonal Changes: What You Need to Know

Your hormones affect more than just your mood – they also play an important role in overall skin health. Throughout life, shifts in hormone levels can lead to changes in how your skin looks and feels. Whether it’s breakouts, dryness, increased sensitivity, or signs of aging, understanding the connection between hormones and skin can help you take better care of it at every stage.

How specific hormones affect your skin:

• Estrogen helps keep skin firm, hydrated, and glowing. As estrogen levels drop, like during menopause, your skin may feel drier, thinner, and less elastic, leading to more visible fine lines. On the flip side, higher estrogen levels, during pregnancy or from oral contraceptive pills can increase skin pigmentation, sometimes causing tan or dark patches, known as melasma.
• Progesterone can also increase skin pigmentation and oil production, especially during pregnancy. That extra oil can sometimes lead to more breakouts.
• Testosterone, a type of androgen present in all genders, boosts oil production, which can clog pores and contribute to breakouts and acne.
• Cortisol, considered a stress hormone, contributes to inflammation which can worsen various skin conditions including acne, rosacea, eczema and more.

Hormonal changes can also account for some of the changes in overall skin health that we see during certain life stages.

• During puberty, rising androgen levels contribute to increased oil production, which can lead to breakouts and acne. Some teenagers may notice an increase in oil and clogged pores, especially in the T-zone (involving the forehead, nose and chin). To manage these changes, it can help to use acne-fighting ingredients like retinoids, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Even though your skin may feel oily, it is important to not dry out the skin too much, as this can sometimes occur with acne products and make things worse. A pro tip for those using a retinoid is to apply a small amount of Vaseline Original Healing Jelly to the lips, the creases of the nose and the corners of eyes prior to applying a retinoid to minimize potential irritation.
• Pregnancy brings many changes to the body, and the skin is no exception. The hormonal fluctuations during this time can contribute to new breakouts or cause dark patches of skin to form, particularly on the face, known as melasma. When it comes to treating these conditions, some skincare ingredients may not be safe during pregnancy. For example, retinoids and hydroquinone should not be used in pregnancy, while azelaic acid is considered safe during pregnancy. For this reason, it is always best to speak with a board-certified dermatologist about the best treatment options when dealing with skin changes during pregnancy. In some cases, the hormonal changes may also contribute to dryness and itching of the skin on the body, so it is important to regularly moisturize. Thicker creams and ointments, such as Vaseline Original Healing Jelly, can help lock in moisture and soothe irritated skin. Applying moisturizer to damp skin after getting out of the shower can help maximize hydration.
• As women enter perimenopause and menopause, estrogen levels begin to decline which contribute to a loss of collagen, leading to changes in the skin. The most common skin changes include dryness, skin thinning, fine lines, and wrinkles. To deal with dryness and loss of elasticity, people may find it helpful to use thicker moisturizing products to maintain adequate hydration in the skin and help address sensitivity that comes with hormonal changes. Many people find it helpful to switch to richer, more hydrating creams and to look for ingredients that support moisture retention and skin repair, like hyaluronic acid and peptides.

It can be hard to predict when hormonal changes will impact the skin, so it is important to maintain healthy habits. One of the most important things you can do for your skin is wear sunscreen regularly, not just during the summer and not just at the beach. Wearing sunscreen consistently helps to protect the skin from the effects of cumulative UV damage, which can exacerbate the changes that we see from hormones and skin aging. It is important to always maintain a simple, consistent routine including a gentle cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen.

There are some key ingredients to look for depending on the specific concern.

• If you are concerned about dryness, ingredients like ceramides and niacinamide, humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, as well as occlusives such as petrolatum, will promote healthy, moisturized skin.
• If you are concerned with reduced skin elasticity, retinoids and peptides can be helpful to stimulate collagen and elastin production. In general, peptides may be easier to tolerate for those with dry or sensitive skin.
• If you are concerned about discoloration or hyperpigmentation, using ingredients like vitamin C, antioxidants, retinoids, exfoliating acids like glycolic acids, azelaic acid, kojic acid and sunscreen are important. When it comes to stretch marks (especially common during pregnancy), one of the most important things to do is to moisturize the skin regularly. Using an ointment like the Vaseline Original Healing Jelly locks-in moisture, which helps to both prevent and improve the appearance of stretch marks. Other ingredients that may be helpful for stretch marks include centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid and retinoids.

While navigating skincare and skincare products can be overwhelming, it is important to remember that products don’t need to be expensive to be effective. It is also best to avoid trying too many new products at the same time; only incorporate one new product at a time to give the skin a chance to adapt, minimize skin sensitivity, and determine if a product is helpful or not. When dealing with skin changes, it is common for people to think they need to overhaul their routine, but this may not always be the case. Keep it simple.

Maintaining healthy skin starts with maintaining healthy habits, including eating a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, regular exercise, sun protection, stress management, adequate sleep, and avoiding smoking.

For anyone who is noticing the effects of hormones on their skin, it can help to be evaluated by a board-certified dermatologist to determine the best treatment approach. Visit our dermatology directory to find a dermatologist that understands your skincare needs.