In her column this month, Odylique founder Abi Weeds shares her guide to managing the turmoil of hormonal acne later in life. Exploring why it happens and giving a raft of expert, natural tips to manage it.

It’s one thing to struggle with spots and acne in your teens and early 20s. It's not fun and it needs support, but it’s also expected.

It’s quite another to wake up in your 40s and suddenly discover a crop of painful spots across your jaw.

But that’s the reality for many women, who suddenly find after years of stable skin, with the occasional menstrual breakout, their mid-life skin has become very tumultuous indeed.

Given what we’re learning now, it’s possible that the cause isn’t diet, allergies or bad luck, but perimenopause.

This was brought to my attention by my 40-year-old editor, who’s own previously flawless skin is now incredibly reactive, especially across her back, where she’s developed a nasty case of acne, with dreadful scarring.

I’ve experienced eczema and skin allergies; I know only too well the self-esteem challenges that can arise from skin conditions. It can give anyone a knock to their self-esteem and is a problem that deserves attention.

A visit to the doctor has shown her hormone levels are almost certainly at fault, but she’s not keen to take prescription medication, so it’s time to look at natural alternatives.

What is Perimenopause?

Menopause is confirmed as the twelfth month following the last period you have, which on average takes place at 51 – 55 in the UK.

But perimenopause, the time when our hormones and fertility start to drop can start as early as 38 in some women; long before the cessation of menstruation.

During that time your oestrogen and progesterone levels are impacted, along with testosterone. Issues with insulin resistance, allergies and vitamin and mineral levels are all common.

Why does Perimenopause affect the skin?

According to Maisie Hill, the author of Perimenopause Power, the arrival of acne, along with issues like hair loss, is partially the result of challenges in the body converting testosterone into DHT.

It may also be from the increasing inability to process insulin correctly (insulin resistance).

Additionally, anything that causes stress or an increase in cortisol (hello, Hormone hell) is likely to have an impact on our bodies.

Add to that sweating from hot flushes, sudden intolerances to certain types of skincare and fluctuating levels of oestrogen, which keeps skin smooth and lubricated, and it’s not surprising that our skin goes haywire.

Finally, your skin becomes thinner, and in Davina McCall’s ‘Menopausing’, she recognises that spots take far longer to heal as a result, looking worse in the process.

Fun, eh? The good news is that later in menopause, the skin dries out, and the acne disappears, but nobody enjoys feeling their least attractive whilst also turning 40.

Tackling Menopausal Acne

Firstly – the honest-to-goodness-truth is there is no ‘fix’ to menopausal skin. It’s a stage of life, and whilst lots of treatments can help, nothing will make it go away.

Like it or not the first part of the process is acceptance. You’re getting older, and you may need to adjust not just your skincare but your lifestyle alongside it.

However, there are lots of natural ways to manage perimenopausal spots without resorting to steroids.

1. Don’t try to DRY OUT your skin

It might seem a good idea to go back to those heavy-duty clay masks we often recommend to teens. Clay can work wonderfully to draw out impurities and settle down hormonal younger skin.

The problem in perimenopause though is that the reduced production of collagen and oestrogen means that even with acne, peri skin is very quick to become dry, tight and itchy.

Instead, look for ways to increase moisture with ingredients rich in fatty acids. A nightly facial oil with ingredients like rosehip oil, avocado oil and sea buckthorn (like our Superfruit Concentrate, which has 5 omega oils from plant extracts) will do wonders.

2. Take it easy on the exfoliants.

Everywhere you look, skincare ranges are throwing glycolic acid, AHA, BHA and Retinoids at younger and younger skins.

These can be brilliant for managing cell turnover, and managing the signs of ageing, however overuse is terrible for the skin.

It leads to overproduction of oils, and you guessed it, acne, along with redness and hypersensitivity.

I recommend dialling it back to once or twice a week if you need it, and using an organic cotton washcloth and warm water on the face after your cleanser.

3. Don’t spend money on ‘hot flush’ skincare

There’s a trend at the moment for ‘cooling’ skincare. The technology is clever, but it's far from natural and relies on heavy amounts of alcohol which is drying.

The other issue is that when the hot flush goes off, the skin cools rapidly and you can feel very dizzy, even faint with the sensation.

I suggest you get a lovely, light facial spritz or tonic and keep it in the fridge. Gently spritz at a distance and again, use a cool washcloth with water to keep sweat at bay.

4. Use a prebiotic moisturiser

Money invested in a good skin moisturiser is never wasted. We developed our new ‘prebiotic’ moisturiser with mature skin in mind.

It helps by rebalancing the acid mantle of the skin, defending against free-radicals and environmental aggressors, whilst protecting the dermal layers with rich, lasting moisture.

It’s also enriched with phyto-collagen, to increase hydration and many fatty acids to support cell turnover and nourishment.

5. Focus on hydration, hydration, hydration

Hydration and moisture are not the same thing. The skin needs lots of water to help it stay plump and retain moisture. There is one, very quick way to keep your skin hydrated.

Drink more water.

I know it’s not sexy advice but if you’re not drinking 8 glasses of water, or caffeine free liquid a day, now is the time to start.

6. Wear a natural SPF cream outside

Sun damaged skin makes the scarring from acne look so much worse. Sun burned skin also goes into hyperdrive.

Traditional sunscreens are not ideal as they contain no nutritional value for the skin (as well as potentially harmful ingredients sometimes), so use an all-mineral sunscreen when you’re outside.

7. Use a gentle spot treatment

A gentle spot serum under your moisturiser and facial oil, twice a day, will help heal the outward signs of redness. If you choose an antiseptic one, it will also reduce swelling and prevent spreading.

Our Spot-on-serum has a powerpack of soothing and antimicrobial echinacea, lavender and tea tree that works wonders on acne prone skin without drying it further.

8. Consider lifestyle choices

Finally, look to address some of the external factors that might be causing even more stress on your body.

Practicing mindfulness, wearing cotton clothing if your acne is on the body and decreasing alcohol and nicotine consumption is boring, but as we age, we simply can’t get away with it any more.

For more tailored advice on peri-menopausal acne, ask our organic skincare experts here