How to Treat PCOS Acne Naturally

Acne Formation 101

I am not a Dermatologist but here is a little primer on what happens in our skin during acne formation:

1. Our pores become clogged with dead skin cells & an oily waxy substance called sebum (produced by our sebaceous glands)

2. Bacteria proliferate in the blocked pore

3. The skin ruptures which forms a red pump (it’s usually inflamed & angry)

4. White blood cells are sent to get rid of the bacterial infection

5. White blood cells die & accumulate in the pore, which forms the pimple or pustule

6. Eventually, white blood cells take care of the infection, healing it over time

There are many factors that can contribute to the formation of acne, including genetics, hormones, and diet. While acne is often thought of as a problem limited to the surface of the skin, it can actually be a symptom of a deeper issue, such as PCOS.

For this reason, it is important to talk to a Dermatologist if you are struggling with acne especially if you have treatment resistant acne over the age of 25. In addition to traditional treatments like creams and oral medications, they may also recommend changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Follow a PCOS Acne Diet to Prevent Breakouts

Dairy and PCOS Symptoms

Dairy has been blamed for a lot lately such as inflammation but the link between acne and milk consumption has been around for a while!

The proposed method of dairy aggravating acne are:

1. Increased IGF-1 (insulin growth-like factor)

• May increase acne by raising levels of inflammatory biomarkers & sebum production

2. Increased insulin & cellular growth

• Insulin raises levels of androgens (testosterone) & IGF-1 levels

3. Increased androgens

• Androgens stimulate more sebum production

4. Increased insulin resistance and male hormones can worsen PCOS symptoms which will exacerbate acne

Which Dairy Products Increase Acne Breakouts?

There is a stronger association between skim milk products & acne breakouts than whole milk products.

Research suggests that skim milk may trigger hormone fluctuations that can lead to acne breakouts.

Whole milk products, on the other hand, are less likely to cause these fluctuations.

Good news for cheese lovers, as cheese products are less associated with acne than milk.

Blood Sugar Balance and PCOS Symptoms

Poor blood sugar balance means you struggle with higher blood sugar levels. One of the most common but often overlooked PCOS symptoms is insulin resistance.

Insulin is a hormone that helps to regulate blood sugar levels. When your insulin sensitivity decreases, it means that your blood sugar levels are higher than they should be.

This can lead to a number of problems, including acne, difficulty losing weight, and increased food cravings.

While there is no cure for PCOS, making dietary and lifestyle changes can help to manage the condition and improve your skin health.

The proposed methods on how higher blood sugar balance makes PCOS symptoms worse including acne are:

1. Increased IGF-1 (insulin growth-like factor)

• May increase acne by raising levels of inflammatory biomarkers & sebum production

2. Increased insulin levels

• Higher insulin and insulin resistance causes hormonal imbalances such as higher levels of male hormones (testosterone) & IGF-1 levels

3. Increased androgens which stimulate more sebum production

4. Increased insulin resistance and testosterone can worsen PCOS symptoms such as acne and male pattern hair growth

What Worsens Blood Sugar Balance and Insulin Sensitivity?

Studies have shown that certain nutrition habits can contribute to acne breakouts. For example, consuming sugary foods can cause spikes in blood sugar levels, which can lead to acne. Highly refined foods are also known to trigger acne flare-ups.

So if you’re looking to clear up your skin, it’s important to pay attention to your diet.

Eating balanced meals and avoiding sugary snacks is a good place to start. An example of an unbalanced meal would be only eating toast & jam for breakfast which is a higher in refined carbohydrates and low in healthy fats, lean protein sources, and high fiber foods.

You should also try to get regular exercise, as this can help to balance hormone levels and reduce acne flare-ups.

Healthy Fats and PCOS Symptoms

There are also known as unsaturated fats, monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats.

Unsaturated fats come from fatty fish and plants such as nuts, olive oil, or avocados.

How do Unsaturated Fats Improve Skin Health?

• Lower inflammatory markers that are associated with acne severity
• Lower IGF-1, insulin resistance, and androgens = less sebum production

Zinc and PCOS Symptoms

Some studies show lower zinc levels are liked to severe acne and common PCOS symptoms but it is not conclusive.

The proposed methods that extra zinc can help manage PCOS are:

• It appears that zinc is used up in the inflammatory process of acne production.
• Zinc can also improve androgen levels in women with PCOS.
• Anything that improves hormonal imbalances of androgens will also help manage PCOS symptoms by improving insulin resistance.

How to Treat PCOS Acne Naturally: Steps to Take

1. Before you cut out dairy completely:

Try switching to whole milk products.

Since many of my clients struggling with acne are those with PCOS and infertility, I recommend my clients try the 1-2 whole milk products daily first.

Note that milk is also a great source of zinc, especially for vegetarians, so dairy can be a great addition to your PCOS diet!

2. Decrease how often you have whole milk instead of cutting it out completely:

Dairy does have saturated fat and trans fat, but research shows that these types of fat in dairy can be healthier and can be a wonderful part of your PCOS diet.

3. Rather than completely cutting out sugar, try the following:

Adding more low glycemic index carbohydrates, such as

• Increasing fruits & vegetables
• Switch to whole grains
• Beans & lentils
• Decrease added sugars and refined carbohydrates

Avoid eating sugar on an empty stomach.

Avoid eating “naked” carbs by pairing your carbs with lean proteins or healthier fats such as olive oil.

4. Add more omega-3s:

• 3-4 oz of fatty fish (salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel) twice weekly.
• Plant-based omega-3s daily (ground flaxseed, walnuts, chia seeds).
• Higher quality omega-3 dietary supplements if your preferred PCOS diet does not include fish!

5. Boost your zinc levels:

Add high zinc foods such as oysters, meat, tofu, yogurt, cheese, ricotta cheese, beans, and lentils.

The absorption of zinc can be decreased when you eat high iron foods at the same time as they compete for absorption!

6. Instead of buying a zinc supplement for PCOS:

Results are mixed on whether supplements help.

If you get a supplement, ensure it has copper in it and speak with your doctor or pharmacist before you start.

Ideally, you want a supplement with 1 mg of copper for every 15 mg of zinc to prevent a copper deficiency. Copper deficiency can have negative health consequences like anemia, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, hypopigmentation of your skin, connective tissue disorders, being more prone to infections, and more.

7. Before you go on a restrictive PCOS diet for weight loss:

Remember!

Weight loss does not cure Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, but it can help women with PCOS improve symptoms such as acne, heart disease, hair growth, and metabolic syndrome.

Even a modest weight loss of 5-10% can improve PCOS symptoms, and women with PCOS can manage symptoms without starting a restrictive PCOS diet or worsening their relationship with food.

Women with PCOS can also reduce health risks without weight loss by focusing on a healthy diet and a sustainable eating plan. Check out another blog post of ours that covers what to look for in a meal plan for PCOS and get a free PCOS meal plan!

Review of a PCOS Acne Diet to Help Women with PCOS Health Outcomes

PCOS can be a very frustrating condition to have. For many women, the first instinct is to restrict their diet in an attempt to clear up their skin.

Despite best intentions, this often backfires and leads to feelings of restriction and deprivation. The best way to clear your skin while following a PCOS diet is by eating nutrient-rich foods that support your relationship with food, lifestyle, values and preferences.

Reach out for a free clarity call today if you want more information on how to treat PCOS acne naturally in a way that supports your mental health, improves PCOS symptoms, and helps you feel your best.

REFERENCES:

Burris, J., Rietkerk, W., & Woolf, K. (2013). Acne: the role of medical nutrition therapy. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 113(3), 416–430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2012.11.016

Kim H, Moon SY, Sohn MY, Lee WJ. Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Increases the Expression of Inflammatory Biomarkers and Sebum Production in Cultured Sebocytes. Ann Dermatol. 2017;29(1):20-25. doi:10.5021/ad.2017.29.1.20

Krafchik B. R. (1999). Acne. Paediatrics & child health, 4(6), 385–386. https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/4.6.385

Ozuguz, P., Dogruk Kacar, S., Ekiz, O., Takci, Z., Balta, I., & Kalkan, G. (2014). Evaluation of serum vitamins A and E and zinc levels according to the severity of acne vulgaris. Cutaneous and ocular toxicology, 33(2), 99–102. https://doi.org/10.3109/15569527.2013.808656