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Whether you want to start a family, try a different birth control method, or “take a break” for a while, going off the pill can cause major changes to your body—and your skin.
It’s very common to see more breakouts, skin inflammation, rosacea, and other skin problems after stopping oral contraceptives. And it can be very distressing, especially if you’re beyond your teen years or never really had skin problems before.
So what’s the reason for this skin upheaval?
Fluctuating hormones can wreak havoc with your skin
Most birth control pills contain a combination of progestin and estrogen which helps create a stable environment for your skin. Stopping the birth control pill can disrupt this delicate balance. Estrogen levels fall, androgen levels increase—and you see the results on your face.
What are androgens?
Androgens are thought of as “male hormones” but they’re actually found in both men and women. They’re produced by adrenal glands as well as the testes and ovaries. The most well-known androgens are testosterone and its breakdown product dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
What does that have to do with acne? Androgens have the ability to bind to oil glands in the skin, telling the oil gland to produce more sebum. This excess oil combines with dead skin cells, debris, and bacteria and causes pimples to form.
But here’s the good news: You can avoid acne after stopping birth control pills and ease the post-pill transition to smooth, problem skin. All it takes is some preparation and a few minor lifestyle tweaks.
One way to get clear permanently is with Natural Acne Clinic’s Online Acne Program. It’s helped thousands of people get clear from the comfort of their own home.
The program starts with a 60-minute Online Acne Consult with one of our expert Clear Skin Coaches, and we’ll help you get clear together. You can book your call here:
5 Simple Strategies for Post-Pill Acne Control
1. Watch your diet
Soy, meat, and whey protein powder can alter hormones because they contain hormones. Dairy – especially cow’s milk — can cause acne because of its high levels of iodine. Just by eating more fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in replace of meat, sugar, and other processed foods, you will not believe how amazing you feel in just a few days.
2. Take skin-enhancing supplements
Stocking up on skin-loving vitamins is key. The #1 herb we recommend for women coming off the birth control pill is Vitex for hormonal acne, also known as Chasteberry. Vitex has been used for centuries as a “woman’s herb” to help relieve PMS, mood swings, and anxiety. It also helps bring levels of estrogen and testosterone back into harmony.
Vitex is particularly effective after going off birth control pills because it helps regulate estrogen and testosterone levels faster than your body could do on its own. As we’ve seen, excess testosterone can cause breakouts. The faster your hormone levels get back into a healthy balance, the healthier your skin can become.
Natural Acne Clinic offers an organic Vitex formula specially designed for hormonal acne treatment.
Vitamin A, for example, slows down cell turnover, which leads to fewer clogged pores. It reduces skin inflammation, too. Research shows that inflammatory acne can be caused by low Vitamin A levels in the body, so increasing your intake of Vitamin A for acne can help reduce breakouts.
Zinc is important for beautiful skin, too, because it acts as a natural anti-inflammatory that protects against acne. One study shows that patients who started taking extra zinc saw fewer acne breakouts.
We recommend the Clove Hill Skin Clarity supplement, which contains clinical levels of Vitamin A, Zinc, and Selenium.
3. Protect your gut flora
Did you know that the health of your intestinal tract is linked to the health of your skin? It’s true! If your gut is working properly, the rest of your body does too.
Poor gut health not only causes digestive problems but also increases inflammation.
The more inflammation in your body the worse your acne becomes.
A probiotic supplement that contains a mix of lactobacillus and bifidobacterium can quickly re-establish healthy intestinal balance and eradicate acne and digestive problems. Clove Hill Probiotic- 10 is specially formulated for acne-prone skin.
4. Start a consistent skincare routine
A consistent acne skincare routine is so important when you’re prone to breakouts. It helps remove excess oil, keeps pores clear, and speeds the healing of any existing blemishes.
Our skin-care coaches can recommend a specific skincare regimen that will safely and effectively clear your acne and give you clear, healthy, and glowing skin. Learn more during your 60-minute Online Acne Consult.
5. Avoid Stress
Studies conducted by Stanford University show that there is a direct relationship between stress and the health of your skin. Stress activates the adrenal glands to produce extra androgen hormones. As we’ve seen, extra androgens stimulate the oil glands in the skin and trigger a breakout.
That’s why the more stressed out you are, the worse your acne becomes.
Working out…mediating…drinking herbal tea… even spending time with friends can help ease the pressure. Just get a stress-reduction tactic in place. It can really help keep stress-related acne from making you feel even more miserable. For more information, don’t forget to take a look at our post about the best birth control for acne sufferers.
Are you ready to clear your acne for good? We can help!
Our Founder, Jessica Gremley, was in your shoes for nearly 15 years till she was able to develop a comprehensive, Online Acne Program that has now helped thousands of people get clear, from the comfort of their own home.
Book an Online Acne Consult with one of our Clear Skin Coaches to get your customized Acne Clearing Treatment Plan today.
