~1 THING~ that healed & reset my hormonal acne, NATURALLY | Acne Series

Summary

In this video, Phil shares her personal experience dealing with hormonal acne caused by a disrupted menstrual cycle. After missing her period for over two months, she developed cystic acne and explains how dietary changes and lifestyle shifts worsened her condition. By returning to a healthier routine, reducing sugar, processed foods, and caffeine, her period returned, and her acne cleared. She emphasizes the role of insulin resistance in hormonal acne and offers tips on balancing diet and lifestyle to manage acne naturally. Phil encourages viewers to be mindful of their body's signals and adjust their habits accordingly.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker, Phil, shares her personal struggle with hormonal cystic acne, which worsened after missing her period for two and a half months.
• 😅 She emphasizes that while she's not a medical professional, she has gained knowledge through research and listening to medical practitioners.
• 🤕 Her acne flared up, particularly on her chin, jaw, chest, and back, during the months her period was absent, causing her to feel frustrated and helpless.
• 🥗 Phil attributes her flare-up to a poor diet during her sister's visit, where she indulged in fried foods, desserts, and excess caffeine.
• 📉 She explains the concept of insulin resistance, where the body struggles to regulate blood sugar and produces excess insulin, which can trigger hormonal imbalances and acne.
• 🤯 Insulin resistance leads to an overproduction of androgens (male hormones), which increase oil production in the skin, causing breakouts and cystic acne.
• 🥦 Phil managed to rebalance her hormones and clear her skin by returning to a healthy diet, reducing caffeine, and incorporating fiber, zinc, and omega fatty acids into her meals.
• 🧘‍♀️ She highlights the importance of listening to your body and being mindful of diet and stress to maintain hormonal balance and reduce acne breakouts.
• 🍫 Processed sugars and simple carbs were major triggers for her acne, and cutting them out was crucial in resetting her cycle and skin.
• 📚 The video offers insights into managing hormonal acne through lifestyle changes, emphasizing that it's a continuous journey with ups and downs.

Q & A

What was the main cause of the creator’s cystic acne breakout?

The main cause of the breakout was hormonal imbalance due to insulin resistance, triggered by changes in the creator’s diet and lifestyle, including increased intake of processed foods and sugars, as well as increased caffeine consumption.

How did the creator's eating habits contribute to her hormonal imbalance?

The creator's diet consisted of a lot of processed foods, carbs, and sugary desserts while her sister was visiting, which led to spikes in blood sugar and increased insulin production. This imbalance triggered the overproduction of androgen hormones, causing hormonal acne.

What role does insulin play in the body, according to the creator?

Insulin is produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar levels after eating. When blood sugar spikes, insulin helps rebalance it by distributing glucose to cells for energy. However, in cases of insulin resistance, the body needs to produce more insulin to maintain balance, which can lead to hormonal imbalances.

How does insulin resistance affect acne, particularly cystic acne?

Insulin resistance increases androgen production, which leads to higher levels of oil production in the skin and clogged pores. This results in cystic acne and hormonal imbalances, contributing to persistent breakouts.

What dietary changes did the creator make to help rebalance her hormones and reduce acne?

The creator returned to home-cooked meals, reduced caffeine intake, cut out processed sugars, and incorporated more fiber, healthy fats, and proteins into her diet. This helped reset her hormonal balance and restore her menstrual cycle.

How did reducing processed sugar help the creator's hormonal acne?

Reducing processed sugar prevented blood sugar spikes, which in turn lowered the body's need to produce excess insulin. This helped prevent the overproduction of androgen hormones and reduced the frequency and severity of acne breakouts.

What is the relationship between insulin resistance and androgen hormones in the body?

Insulin resistance causes the body to produce higher levels of insulin to regulate blood sugar, which signals the brain to produce more androgen hormones. Elevated androgen levels lead to hormonal imbalances that can cause acne and disrupt the menstrual cycle.

What natural solutions did the creator suggest to manage hormonal acne?

The creator suggested increasing fiber intake, eating whole grains, consuming omega-3 fatty acids (from sources like salmon and avocado), and reducing processed sugar. These dietary adjustments can help rebalance insulin levels and support liver function in flushing out excess hormones.

What did the creator mean by the ‘vicious cycle’ related to insulin resistance and acne?

The 'vicious cycle' refers to how insulin resistance leads to more insulin production, which signals the body to produce excess androgens. This hormonal imbalance then contributes to further insulin resistance and acne, creating a continuous loop of breakouts and imbalance.

How does the liver play a role in managing hormonal balance, according to the creator?

The liver helps filter out excess hormones, including androgens. A diet high in fiber supports liver function by aiding in the elimination of these excess hormones, which can help prevent hormonal imbalances and acne.