3 Ways Itchy Skin Can be Caused by Hormone Imbalance

Itchy skin is difficult to deal with. If you are like most people, you probably try to find a quick fix just to ease the discomfort. Besides just being uncomfortable, itchy skin oftentimes ends up looking red and irritated and can even lead to wounds, scars, and infections if scratched too much.

Hormone imbalances caused by daily problems could be behind your constant itch. Inflammation is often the cause of itchiness, and it’s important to target what is going on in your body that is causing your irritation.

Hormone Imbalances and Your Skin

Your hormones are chemical substances that are regulated by your endocrine system. They control the growth, reproduction, and health of the body. They require a delicate balance to keep us feeling our best. When they are out of balance, our bodies tend to suffer whether that is emotionally, mentally, or physically – like having itchy, irritated skin. If you are someone who suffers...

Skin Care for Men: How to Get Guys to Care for Their Skin

If it seems like men spend a lot less time on skin care than women, that’s because, in general, they do. Recent research shows that most men, 63%, don’t wash their faces regularly with face wash. Men in the 18-24 age range admitted to never washing their face at all.

While skin care for men often gets overlooked, that doesn’t mean men are exempt from skin issues. Another study found that skin diseases, like acne, rosacea, and eczema, are even more common in men than in women. 

Why Men Often Don’t Seek Treatment for Skin Issues

It’s true that caring for the skin and intricate skin care protocols are often viewed as a gendered activity. Research by sociologists who studied the gendering of personal care suggests that cosmetics were branded as a woman’s activity when factories began employing women during WW2 in an attempt to distinguish men from women within the mixed gender workforce.

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While skin flare ups often seem unpredictable, there are certain times when you are more likely to experience issues. Whether it’s acne, eczema, dryness, irritation, or redness, knowing what triggers your skin problems is an important step to getting them under control.

What Causes Skin Flare Ups: 14 Common Triggers 

1. Puberty:

   Teen years are often accompanied by the onset of acne. Hormonal shifts during puberty can stimulate sebaceous glands and cause an increase in sebum production, which clogs pores and leads to outbreaks.

2. After Age 25:

   Just when teenage acne has become a distant memory, you may become afflicted with new skin problems, like adult-onset acne. Sometimes, adult acne presents after the age of 25 in those who’ve never had acne before. This is often due to hormonal shifts, birth control, or other medications rather than an increase in oil production, like in teen years.

3. When Quitting Birth Control:

   The body undergoes hormonal shifts when going off...

Everyone has wondered how to create new habits without seeing them fizzle out after a week or two. Even results in things like weight loss, engagement, or better health sometimes aren’t enough to keep you motivated.

There’s often a missing link where lasting results are concerned when starting something new. Here’s why it’s important to create lasting habits through community support. 

The Power of Community Support

You’ve likely heard that it takes 21 days to form a habit, right? Before you block the next three weeks off on your calendar, know that, while there is some basis to this number, it’s only a starting point.

The 21 day myth comes from the book Psycho-Cybernetics published by Dr. Maxwell Maltz that states that it takes “a minimum of about 21 days for an old mental image to dissolve and a new one to gel”. So, according to this information, 21 days is the starting point for establishing a new habit.

If this feels like bad...

As we’ve seen, the foods you eat have a bearing on your skin health. But how does gut health affect skin on a deeper level? 

The balance of good and bad bacteria in the intestines influences both the inner and outer aspects of the body. Learn more about the gut microbiome and skin health, how to identify if gut imbalance could be the cause of your skin issues, and one sneaky medication that could be wreaking havoc on your skin.

What is the Gut Microbiome?

Bacteria isn’t always bad. There are good bacteria that reside in the gut, as well. A balance between the two means your system runs along smoothly. Healthy digestion, immune system, cardiovascular system, and maintaining proper weight are all influenced by the gut microbiome.

The human gut microbiome is comprised of bacteria and other microorganisms. There are thousands of bacteria that live in the gut and each plays a different role in the health of your body. 

This diverse microbiota is responsible for...

You have your skin issues under control and then, once the season changes, you’re met with challenges like breakouts, redness, or irritation. 

There’s a trigger behind your skin flare-ups. The key is determining what causes your seasonal skin changes so you can enjoy clear, comfortable skin in a sustainable way. 

Common Causes of Seasonal Skin Changes

You’ve noticed that your skin becomes drier during winter months and may tend to be more oily in the summer. But seasonal skin changes go beyond this type of discomfort. You may see more breakouts at certain times of the year or during seasonal transitions. Maybe you experience eczema or psoriasis flares, or your rosacea appears to worsen.  

If you tend to see an increase in skin challenges with different seasons, read on. Here are ways to identify the most common seasonal skin changes:

1. Allergen levels can increase redness and reactivity: Environmental allergens are often linked to symptoms like...

Skin issues like acne, rosacea, and psoriasis may cost you time and money. But these skin conditions can affect more than your appearance and pocketbook. The link between skin problems like acne and depression and anxiety is real. Here’s what you need to know.

What is Psychodermatology?

Yes, there’s a science for the combination of skin issues and emotional upheaval. Psychodermatology combines dermatology with psychiatry, addressing mental and emotional symptoms that come with skin issues. Our mental wellbeing affects our skin, and our skin affects our mental wellbeing in a feedback loop.

Anxiety and depression are the primary conditions that affect those suffering from acne and other skin issues. Self-confidence can also be affected, causing feelings of low self-esteem and poor self-image, which can lead to social withdrawal.

The social aspect means that sometimes those afflicted may not seek out opportunities that put them in a position to advance in the workplace or...

You use natural skincare designed for your skin type. You purchase skin treatments specifically for your skin issues. You clean your phone daily, swap out your pillowcase regularly, and avoid foods that trigger breakouts and reactions. 

So, why do you still have pimples, irritation, or redness? 

One of the Most Overlooked Causes of Acne and Skin Problems

Nope, it’s not your night cream or exfoliation mask. Take a look in your beauty kit.

Those makeup brushes, facial roller, and foundation sponge can help you create the look you want, but they are also skin disruptions waiting to happen.

Take a makeup brush, for instance. The makeup, face oils, and dust that collect on bristles are a breeding ground for bacteria and one of the biggest causes of acne. And once hair follicles become clogged with bacteria, it can lead to acne, rashes, and irritation.  

Even worse, a study published in the Journal of Microbiology stated that “superbugs” E.coli...