Dr. Zenovia Skincare aims to showcase the skin journey of real people. Hormones have a huge impact on our skin’s health throughout life’s various stages- the teenage and young adult years are no exception! In this post, Maddie, a twenty-year-old TikTok creator shares how she managed to clear her hormonal acne and helps prevent future breakouts from forming. Everyone has a unique perspective and skin story.  

Maddie’s Hormonal Acne Journey  

Maddie went on the pill when she was thirteen years old due to medical concerns. She experienced awful acne flare-ups and eventually switched to another form of birth control but saw no improvement in her skin’s condition. “My acne is hormone-related and stress-induced,” Maddie shares. “I have consistently battled with hormonal acne.” 

Going on Hormonal Birth Control 

Hormonal birth control comes in many forms: pills, patches, rings, IUDs, implants, and injections. When it comes to treating acne, birth control pills containing anti-androgenic progestins are best for treating acne compared to pills with androgenic progestins. Dr. Zenovia recommends the drospirenone-containing combined contraceptives to her patients, like YAZ. To see an improvement in acne, it may take up to 2-3 months on the pill. This is because hormones need time to regulate and normalize in our system. However, it is important to note that birth control affects everyone differently. For example, some may experience a decrease in acne while others experience an increase using the same birth control. 

Discovering Hormonal Dermatology  

After trying different types of birth control and seeing no improvement in her acne, Maddie began visiting aestheticians for skin treatments. Looking for quality skincare topicals she could use at home for her acne-prone skin, she came across the Dr. Zenovia Skincare line. “The best thing I found for clearing up my hormonal acne was Dr. Zenovia’s 5% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Spot Treatment and her Aloe Vera Blemish Soothing Moisturizer to calm down the inflammation and skin irritation.”  

Hormonal skincare isn’t a trend. The basis of the Dr. Zenovia Skincare line is that we have hormone receptors everywhere in our body. We have estrogen receptors in our brain, eyeballs, ovaries, testicles, and on the skin- they are essentially everywhere! However, hormone receptors predominate in certain areas and the skin is one of the most common areas.  

Dr. Zenovia uncovered scientific data proving the power of phytoestrogens to bind to estrogen receptors and initiate important signal pathways in the skin. Phytoestrogens have proven to be safe to apply to the skin and work only locally- they do not get absorbed into the tissue. Our REG-ulate360 Complex™, found in all the Dr. Zenovia skincare products contains Geinstein, a safe, plant-based phytoestrogen in its pure form that has a very potent effect locally but doesn’t get absorbed into the tissue. In combination with a medical-grade blend of powerful antioxidants, this proprietary skin technology provides the skin with hormonal support. 

“By formulating my topicals with this phytoestrogen skin technology, the skin is essentially regulated, getting constant hormonal support, and you won’t experience estrogen or hormonal fluctuations on the epidermis,” Dr. Zenovia shares. The REG-ulate360 Complex™ is safe, doesn’t have any downstream effects, and will not get absorbed systemically. Regular use of our topicals results in less flaking, firmer skin, and increased hydration. From an acne standpoint, by bumping the estrogen-like effect up with our topicals, the milieu of hormones affecting the tissue from the inside gets balanced at the epidermis, so you won’t experience a hyper-androgen acne flare. I see amazing results with this line for people dealing with hormonal acne flare-ups.” 

Note from Dr. Zenovia: Please consult with your doctor or endocrinologist if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a history of breast cancer prior to using our topicals. 

Sharing Her Hormonal Acne Story 

Noticing that hormonal acne was a common issue, Maddie decided to share her #acnestruggles on TikTok. “I wanted to show and comfort people that they aren’t alone. The response I received was super positive! Many people related to having hormonal acne and struggling to find effective topicals on the market. Before finding Dr. Zenovia’s products, I never found a skincare line dedicated specifically to hormonal acne”.   

Maddie’s Acne-Fighting Skincare Routine  

Maddie current skincare routine to prevent acne flare-ups consists of double cleansing (to ensure the skin is completely makeup-free), treating her skin with a toner, retinoid, serum, or chemical exfoliant (depending on the time of day and her skin’s needs), and sealing in hydration with a moisturizer. “Dr. Zenovia’s Aloe Vera Blemish Soothing Moisturizer absolutely changed my skin,” Maddie shares. I suffer from seborrhoeic dermatitis for which there is no current treatment. Aloe is recommended to soothe the skin and you would be surprised how hard it is to find quality skincare formulated with aloe vera! I love how this oil-free moisturizer takes care of two of my concerns with one product!”  

For those struggling with skin confidence, Maddie wants to remind us that we are our harshest critics. “We all have skin struggles,” says Maddie. “Don’t be fooled by filters on social media. No one has perfect skin. We all experience breakouts, discoloration, large pores, or have some skin issue we want to be improved. Continue practicing self-care and skincare and don’t compare yourself to others- the results will follow!” 

Maddie, @maddiebwells is a 20-year-old TikTok creator from Kentucky. She has struggled with acne since the age of twelve and values sharing authentic, real content with her followers.  

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