Menopause Acne?! Why It Happens and How To Treat Your Skin

Menopause acne treatments to clear it up

There are many treatment options for acne.

Talk to your healthcare practitioner about the best treatment for your individual needs. They may even refer you to a dermatologist if needed.

The treatment regimen selected depends on factors like:

• severity of the condition
• your medical history
• age
• other medications you may be taking
• whether or not hyperpigmentation and/or scarring complicates the picture

Here are some of the most common treatments available.

1. Topical treatments

These tend to be the first-line approach for many and have the added benefit of also improving the signs of aging and photoaging (premature aging of the skin due to sun exposure). They include:

• retinoids like adapalene, which help unclog pores and encourage cell turnover,
• benzoyl peroxide, which has antimicrobial properties and reduces inflammation salicylic acid, which helps skin cells to shed, decreases pimple formation and speeds healing
• topical antibiotics, like clindamycin and erythromycin

A combination of topical treatments may also be used for mild to moderate acne.

2. Systemic therapy

This includes:

• antibiotics
• hormonal antiandrogens (e.g., spironolactone a diuretic that is also used for the treatment of hypertension and heart failure)
• oral isotretinoin
• hormonal therapy like spironolactone 

Systemic treatment becomes a consideration for more severe forms of acne, e.g., papulopustular and nodulocystic acne.

3. Procedural therapy

This is used when other treatments have failed or scarring has developed including techniques like:

• steroid injections
• chemical peels
• laser therapy

4. Lifestyle changes

As with other aspects of health and well-being and many medical conditions, lifestyle factors can make a difference in the management of acne.

Diet

The type of food you eat can have an impact on your skin.

A study in France found that people who ate a Western style diet, i.e., lots of meat and fatty, sugary foods) were much more likely to develop adult acne.

These foods are associated with the development of inflammation in the body, which can increase the risk of acne.

And some studies suggest that following a low-glycemic diet may help prevent or improve acne. These are foods like green vegetables or carrots that have a low impact on your blood sugar level. 

The gut microbiome

Emerging research suggests a potential link between gut health and acne, highlighting the role of the gut microbiome in skin health.

The gut microbiome is made of trillions of microorganisms that live in the digestive tract and play a vital role in lots of bodily functions. Studies have shown that an imbalance in the gut microbiome, known as dysbiosis, may contribute to the development of acne.

By encouraging inflammation and weakening the skin’s natural barrier, dysbiosis can make acne symptoms worse.

Improving gut health through changes to your diet, like eating more fiber-rich foods, probiotics, and prebiotics, may help restore and maintain a healthy microbiome balance and help resolve your acne symptoms.

Also, adopting a balanced and nutritious diet, drinking enough water, managing your stress levels, and getting regular exercise can also help your overall gut health.

Sleep

Some research indicates a relationship between sleep and acne. Poor sleep quality and fatigue on waking have been associated with more severe acne.

During the menopause journey sleep issues are a common complaint. Hot flashes and night sweats contribute to problems staying asleep and getting enough good-quality thereby potentially increasing the severity of acne during this stage of life.

Stress

A direct causative relationship between stress and acne has not been found. However, being stressed increases the level of the stress hormone, cortisol (which may already be elevated due to the dropping estrogen and progesterone levels that occur during the menopause journey). In turn, elevated cortisol levels can lead to inflammation and increased production of oil in sebaceous glands. So indirectly, stress can trigger or exacerbate an acne outbreak.