Hi there! I'm Beth, cyster and practicing esthetician with eight years of experience. After years of irregular, painful periods and traumatizing hormonal acne during my early teen years, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) at the age of 17.
I struggled with hormonal acne throughout my twenties. I tried countless over-the-counter and prescription skincare products, and have seen firsthand how acne can impact a person's confidence. My acne was so bad, it inspired my chosen career path. Even with my knowledge as an esthetician, I realized PCOS acne was a different breed. It took years of learning about PCOS and a lot of trial and error for me to find a skincare routine that worked for me.
Identifying Hormonal Acne and PCOS-Related Acne
Hormonal acne is typically characterized by its location on the lower face and jawline, and its deep, cystic, and painful nature. PCOS-related acne is a result of hormonal imbalances caused by the condition, which can lead to increased oil production and inflammation (Kucharska, Szmurło, & Sińska, 2016). According to a study conducted in 2015, women with PCOS are more likely to have severe acne, and hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS can contribute to the development of acne (Acmaz et al., 2015). Another study from 2019 states that insulin resistance and elevated androgen levels in PCOS patients can exacerbate acne (KrupaShankar, Shilpa, & Aradhya, 2019). Triggers for breakouts can include stress, poor diet, hormonal fluctuation and life with PCOS in general. The damage from hormonal acne can be long-lasting, leading to scarring and discoloration of the skin.
A Little Bit About MY Skin: How I Cured My PCOS Acne
Besides having PCOS hormonal acne, my skin gets terribly oily in the summer months and is more combination/ dry during the winter. I also had hyperpigmentation, dark spots and texture from years of battling hormonal acne. One of the things I love about this skincare routine is that I only to make minor tweaks as my skin transitions from winter to summer. In fact, the only thing I change is the type of moisturizer I use.
I have been using this homemade turmeric face mask for 3 years. It has helped me reduce inflammation, control breakouts, and improve the appearance of acne scars. This mask, along with with my other holy grail pcos friendly skincare products (listed below) have transformed my skin. They have become a staples in my skincare routine, and I hope they help you too!
DIY Turmeric Face Mask for Hormonal Acne, Inflammation, and Scarring
Ingredients:
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp manuka honey
1 tbsp aloe vera gel
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
3 drops tea tree oil
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl, mixing until a smooth paste is formed. Apply the mixture to clean, dry skin, avoiding the eye area. Leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water. Use this mask 2-3 times per week for best results.
Ingredient Benefits:
Turmeric Powder: Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that can help reduce redness and inflammation associated with acne (Vaughn, Branum, & Sivamani, 2016).
Manuka Honey: Honey has natural antibacterial properties, which can help prevent the growth of acne-causing bacteria.
Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera soothes inflammation and promotes skin healing, reducing the appearance of acne scars.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar balances the skin's pH levels and helps exfoliate dead skin cells.
Greek Yogurt: Greek yogurt contains lactic acid, which can help dissolve dead skin cells and improve skin texture.
Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic, which helps to reduce acne-causing bacteria and inflammation.
Aside from my go-to turmeric mask, these products have made a great impact on my skincare routine and have been essential to curing my PCOS acne
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant - I cannot stress enough how much I love this exfoliant! It's gentle enough for my sensitive skin and has helped fade my acne scars and even out my skin tone. I use this 1-2 times a week. It’s a bit pricey, but a whole bottle lasts me about 3 months.
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser (Sensitive) - I love this cleanser! It's gentle on my skin and has helped reduce my hormonal breakouts significantly. I discovered this cleanser through my dermatologist. It has helped with my oily skin without overdrying. I use this in the summer and winter.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Spot Treatment - This spot treatment has been a game-changer. It dries out my acne without over-drying my skin, and has helped decrease inflammation. Be warned, expect a purging phase, where all the gunk from inside your skin finds its way out. It should last about 2-3 weeks. Now that my skin is clear, I only use this for spot treatments, but when I first started using it, I used it 3-5 times a week.
InstaNatural Niacinamide Serum for Face, Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid Serum with Vitamin E - I've been using this serum for a while now, and it's made such a difference in my skin's texture and overall appearance. It’s helped a lot with my dark spots. I use this nightly.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture for Combination Skin - This moisturizer is lightweight and doesn't clog my pores. I used to use it in the winter time. It’s a great budget friendly moisturizer for combination skin.
Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol-Free Toner -"This toner has helped balance my skin's oil production and pH levels. Since incorporating it into my routine, I've seen a significant decrease in breakouts. I use this right out of the shower at night and to prep my skin for makeup in the morning.
iS CLINICAL Hydra-Cool Serum, Refreshing and Hydrating Skin Face Serum, Anti-Blemish, Anti-Redness - I've been using this serum for a few months now, and it's made such a difference in my skin's texture and overall appearance. My acne scars are fading, and I've noticed fewer breakouts! It's a bit pricey but definitely worth it.
Tatcha The Water Cream - This oil-free moisturizer is perfect for my combination skin. It feels so luxurious! My skin just slurps it up! It keeps my skin hydrated without causing breakouts and has helped me repair my skin barrier. The price tag is higher, but the results have been remarkable! This is my go-to moisturizer for days I wear makeup. It really helps smooth everything out even when I have breakouts. This works well for me in the summer months when my skin gets super oily.
GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment - This mask is excellent for calming my skin during hormonal flare-ups. It deeply cleanses my pores and helps reduce the appearance of breakouts. The product may be more expensive than others, but it has made a significant impact on my skin's clarity. I use this product once a month and weeks when I’m too lazy to make my turmeric mask.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream - This is my winter moisturizer. I get dry patches, which if left untreated, tend to clog my pores. I apply this before bed as the last layer, and it works wonders! In my opinion, it’s a little too heavy for daytime use, and it does not work well for me under make-up, but it has saved my skin time and time again from harsh winter weather.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra-Light Face Sunscreen SPF 50, Zinc Oxide Sunscreen for Face : This is by far, my favorite sunscreen. It wears well under make-up and gives a blurring effect on days I go foundation free. It feels light and smooth, and a little goes a long way!
It’s important to note that I also made dietary changes that have contributed to my skin’s success. I eat a lot of PCOS friendly foods and drink a minimum of 6-8 glasses of water a day. Still, I believe that this DIY turmeric mask and these products have been key to how I cured my PCOS acne. I hope they help you too!
Works Cited:
Acmaz, G., Aksoy, H., Unal, D., Ozyurt, M., & Cingilli, V. (2015). Evaluation of acne in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 8(6), 10005-10009.
KrupaShankar, D. S., Shilpa, K., & Aradhya, S. S. (2019). Hormonal evaluation in females with acne. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, 85(3), 248-255. doi:10.4103/ijdvl.IJDVL_4_17
Kucharska, A., Szmurło, A., & Sińska, B. (2016). Significance of diet in treated and untreated acne vulgaris. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/Postȩpy Dermatologii i Alergologii, 33(2), 81-86. doi:10.5114/ada.2016.59146
Vaughn, A. R., Branum, A., & Sivamani, R. K. (2016). Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence. Phytotherapy Research, 30(8), 1243-1264. doi:10.1002/ptr.5640
