Acne

We’re all about equipping you with the know-how to understand your symptoms, and we especially emphasize the specific, tangible ways to manage them. Our goal is to empower YOU to take charge of your menopause journey, starting today.

A quick note about product recommendations…Elektra Health is not paid to feature any products. We just like them and think you might too, though we can’t guarantee any results.

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Because skin health is so personal, treatment options are, too. Factors such as the cause and severity of acne must be considered, as well as skin type (dry & sensitive vs thick and oily) and response to any previous treatment.

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Lifestyle

Nutrition & Diet

As we mentioned, food that we eat affects inflammation which, in turn, affects our skin health.

There are certain tried-and-true nutritional tenets that our founding physician, Dr. Anna Barbieri, MD recommends to keep inflammation at bay and help mitigate the symptoms of acne during menopause. As a first step, she recommends focusing on sugar and dairy:

• Eliminate sugar as much as you can, including sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup and refined carbs (i.e. things made with white flour) that quickly convert to sugar in your body.
• Dairy is another major dietary culprit associated with acne. It’s worth a trial of omitting dairy for several weeks to see if there is any improvement.
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! When our urine is pale and clear, that’s a sign we’re properly hydrating our skin from the inside.

If you’re interested in addressing inflammatory foods even more, you can also try removing conventionally raised meat, unhealthy fats (trans fats & processed vegetable oils), and gluten.

Eliminating sugar, by far, is the single most effective way to control acne.

For more on what foods raise the risk of inflammation and impact complexion, refer to our comprehensive nutrition guide.

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Holistic Practices

Healthy skin starts with a basic (but effective!) skincare regimen that’s, above all, sustainable. Here’s what we recommend:

• Wash your face once or twice daily with a mild soap cleanser or benzoyl peroxide face wash. Resist the urge to over-wash since it can dry out the skin and cause further irritation. Those of us with thick, oily skin should consider a glycolic or salicylic acid-based face wash, which is more aggressive against breakouts. The classic Cetaphil cleanser is frequently recommended by dermatologists.
• Use water-based cosmetics and remove 100% of your makeup before bed, every night.
• Use a moisturizer that’s non-comedogenic (so it won’t clog pores), non-acnegenic (so it won’t aggravate acne-prone skin), and hypoallergenic (so it won’t contain potential allergens). This option from CeraVe is a good place to start.
• Always, always, always use sunscreen!

Skincare aside, it’s important to focus on sleep health and stress management for optimal skin health. Too little sleep can cause stress, and stress causes inflammation, and inflammation can lead to acne.

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Supplements & Over-the-Counter Solutions

Supplements and over-the-counter solutions may be effective in supporting your skin health…if you choose wisely. We recommend consulting with your healthcare provider first to ensure you’re using something with optimal efficacy and safety (i.e. backed by clinical research) or consulting with Elektra’s providers. Here’s a quick primer from our team on how to go about selecting high-quality supplements.

Topical therapies are a go-to line of defense against acne, but they must be selected carefully. During the menopausal transition, we’re already susceptive to dry, itchy skin (more on that here), so the last thing we want is something to cause even MORE dryness and irritation. Our skin is no longer like teenage skin, so many of the products made for teens may be too harsh for us now. Listed below are Dr. Barbieri’s go-tos.

Topical retinoids

Retinoids are a family of chemical compounds closely related to vitamin A — and they come with the added benefit of addressing signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. Examples include tretinoin, tazarotene, isotretinoin, adapalene, and retinol. Some retinoids, like retinol and adapalene, are available over-the-counter. They can cause skin irritation, redness, and peeling at first, so ease into it by applying every second or third night for the first week or so. Retinoids increase skin photosensitivity — aka it’s easier to get a sunburn — so wear sunscreen!

Benzoyl peroxide

This comedolytic, antimicrobial topical treatment is effective but should be used with caution since it can cause irritation and dryness for those of us with sensitive skin.

Azelaic acid

Azelaic acid is an anti-inflammatory, comedolytic, antimicrobial product that is used for mild acne.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

This potent antioxidant protects the skin from free radicals, which break down the skin cells and cause fine lines and wrinkles. It also acts as a shield to protect the skin from sun damage.

Curcumin

Curcumin is a spice derived from the boiled, dried, and ground root of the Curcuma longa plant. It’s what constitutes turmeric, the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich spice that’s fittingly referred to as “Indian gold.” Studies show that it may help reduce the signs of aging and ease the symptoms of acne.

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Prescription

Hormonal

One hormonal treatment for acne is actually not related to estrogen or progesterone. Antiandrogens such as spironolactone are effective and well-tolerated for acne as well as hirsutism (growth of male-pattern facial hair along the face, chest, and back). It may also help with water retention and bloating too…a win-win!

For women in perimenopause, low-dose birth control may be an option to manage acne. Interested in learning more about hormone replacement therapy (HRT)? We’ve got you covered with a complete guide.

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Non-Hormonal

There are some non-hormonal prescription options for acne as well, both topical and oral. Talk to your dermatologist about the best option for you.

Tretinoin

Tretinoin is a topical retinoid available by prescription only. It’s used to both control acne and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Dapsone

Dapsone is a topical gel with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s effective and well-tolerated when used twice daily.

Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin is an oral medication used for the treatment of severe, nodulocystic acne (in other words, acne affecting the face, chest, and back with both inflated and uninflamed nodules and scars). It can also be prescribed to those with moderate acne that’s resistant to conventional treatment. Isotretinoin is often referred to as Accutane, a brand name for the drug, which is no longer available in the US.

While highly effective, it does come with side effects including photosensitivity, skin/mouth/eye dryness, muscle aches, and has been associated with feelings of depression. Isotretinoin can cause birth defects, so if you haven’t hit menopause yet, you have to use two reliable forms of birth control (some doctors may accept abstinence, some not) and pregnancy tests must be done monthly during treatment, which usually lasts around 5 months.

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We’re always keeping an eye out on emerging research and the latest clinical studies. Subscribe to our weekly Elektra Digest for the latest, science-based info direct to your inbox. Something work well for you that’s not listed here? We want to hear it! Shoot us a note at [email protected]. (We’re human, promise.)

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