What’s the best way to treat hormonal breakouts? Nutritional Therapist Sarah Brereton offers some handy solutions when your skin is under stress.

Monthly hormonal spots that appear every month the week before your period, mainly on your chin and jawline are usually the result of a hormonal imbalance in your cycle and can show the body’s inability to eliminate waste. It’s an indicator that you may need to increase your water intake to help flush out the body. As the skin is considered the least important organ in the body, it is the last to receive essential nutrients and the first to lose them when the body is under stress, we need to pay particular attention to our skin. Did you know what we eat everyday can really help these hormonal outbreaks in a positive way?

Reduce the Bad
Diets containing large amounts of saturated or hydrogenated fats produce cell membranes that are hard and lack fluidity. These are often the foods we crave at this time including cheese, dairy, pastries, processed meats and confectionary. These fats are very inflammatory and lead to inflammatory issues in the body like skin outbreaks, headaches, bloating and cramps, which can exacerbate our hormonal symptoms also. Try swapping out some of these foods for nutrient ladened antioxidant and omega oil rich foods.

Increase the Good
Omega oils such as omega-3 keep the proteins in our pores soft and prevent them from drying out as they need these ‘good’ fats to retain water, thereby moisturising the skin from within. They also support the skin’s own natural defences and protect cells from ageing and stress. Good hormone-supporting foods include fruit, vegetables especially leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, avocado, berries, seeds like flaxseeds, pumpkin and chia, wholegrain, cereal and lean proteins like organic eggs, quinoa, and oily fish.

We really do need oily fish three times a week, once is not enough to obtain enough omega-3. If you find this difficult to achieve, try Cleanmarine PeriodPlan, a proactive solution to period health. It is a unique all-in-one, scientifically-formulated supplement, with results backed by published research (previously known as Cleanmarine for Women).

Two small capsules a day packed with omega-3, vitamins B1, B2, B6 and D3, as well as rosemary extract and soy isoflavones. With vitamin B6 helping to regulate hormonal activity, supporting energy production, and reducing tiredness and fatigue and vitamin B2 to help maintain normal skin.