How Hormones Affect Your Skin
Hormones increased during stress can make our skin look dull, menstrual hormones fluctuate monthly, causing breakouts, and a decrease in sleep hormones on restless nights inhibits skin repair. These are some of the many skin changes that hormonal fluctuations can cause.
Stress hormones
Did you know that many skin conditions are linked to our psychology? Crazy to think, but these skin responses like acne and eczema can happen when we don't properly manage stress.
The stress hormone from long-term stress, cortisol, causes the skin to become oily, leading to eczema, acne, dandruff, and other skin-related issues. Stress responses lead to behaviors like scratching or picking a spot on their skin, causing scars. For many, this behavior is more of a compulsion that falls into an area of psychological study called "excoria."
Menstrual cycle hormones
Estrogen and progesterone hugely impact your skin, both good and bad. Studies in cycle syncing have shown us that in the first half of our cycle, hormones give us a boost stimulating hydration, elastin, and collagen production, making our skin plump and dewy. But, after you have ovulated, our skin foe-progesterone stimulates oil production leading to blocked pores.
Sleep hormones
If you've complained about dark circles under your eyes, you have probably considered whether or not you are getting enough rest. Our bodies secrete the hormone Melatonin at night to signal the repair of damaged cells, collagen rebuilding, and skin detoxification. Lack of sleep dramatically inhibits the skin's ability to repair and can also trigger stress hormones (Cortisol) to make matters worse. So, there is some truth to getting your beauty rest.