How Your Hormones Affect Your Skin
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Pages in this Story:
- The Problem: PMS-Related Pimples
- The Problem: Sun Sensitivity When You're on the Pill
- The Problem: Loss of Firmness in Perimenopause
Skin problems? It could be your hormones. Here's what you can do to regain your gorgeous skin.
The Problem: PMS-Related Pimples
The Cause: Two weeks prior to your period, your body produces a surge of androgen, a hormone that revs up sebaceous (oil) glands, causing clogged pores and acne, says New York City dermatologist Jody Alpert Levine, MD.
The Rx: Zap zits with salicylic acid in a topical treatment or in a cleanser like St. Ives Apricot Blemish Fighting Facial Cleanser, $3.99, drugstores. If that doesn't help, ask your doctor if you need an antibiotic to eliminate the bacteria that cause acne. Still breaking out? You may want to consider a prescription for an oral contraceptive that regulates androgen levels, says Dr. Alpert Levine.
