Breaking the Cycle: How PCOS Shows Up in Your Skin

Galina Mironova, ND

Why Skin Symptoms May Be the First Sign of PCOS

If you’re struggling with stubborn acne, unwanted facial hair, thinning scalp hair, or dark patches on your neck or underarms, you’re not alone. These signs may be more than just skin deep. They are common symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a hormone and metabolic imbalance that affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age.

PCOS doesn’t just disrupt your periods or fertility. It can show up on your skin in ways that impact confidence, self-esteem, and emotional well-being. For many women, these visible skin symptoms are what finally lead them to seek answers and care.

How PCOS Affects the Skin

The most common PCOS-related skin symptoms include:

• Acne (especially along the jawline, chin, and back)
  
• Hirsutism (coarse hair on the face, chest, or abdomen)
  
• Thinning scalp hair (also called androgenic alopecia)
  
• Acanthosis nigricans (dark, velvety patches on the neck or armpits)
  

Three root causes drive these symptoms:

1. High androgens (male hormones like testosterone)
   
2. Insulin resistance
   
3. Chronic inflammation
   

Let’s explore how each of these factors works and how natural medicine can help restore balance from the inside out.

The Root Causes Behind the Symptoms

Androgens and Your Skin

Women with PCOS often produce too many androgens, or their bodies are more sensitive to them. These hormones trigger oil glands in the skin, which leads to cystic acne, especially around the lower face. They also stimulate hair growth in places you don’t want it, such as the upper lip or chin, and lead to hair loss on the scalp.

Blood Sugar Imbalance

Insulin resistance is another core issue in PCOS. When cells stop responding well to insulin, your body makes more of it. This leads to more androgen production and creates a cycle of hormone imbalance, acne, and abnormal hair growth.

Inflammation and Gut Health

PCOS often involves low-grade inflammation and gut imbalances, which can worsen hormone issues. An inflamed gut can increase testosterone levels and create oxidative stress that impacts your skin’s ability to heal and stay clear.

A Natural Medicine Approach to PCOS Skin

Conventional treatments often focus on symptom control using birth control pills or anti-androgens. Naturopathic care takes a deeper look. It aims to reverse the imbalances that cause these skin symptoms in the first place.

Here’s how we approach it:

Step 1: Healing with Food

A low-glycemic, anti-inflammatory diet is essential. Two effective options include:

• Mediterranean Diet. This diet is rich in vegetables, omega-3 fats, and fiber to balance blood sugar and hormones.
  
• Ketogenic Diet. For some women, reducing carbs significantly can improve insulin sensitivity and support hormone regulation.
  

Cutting back on dairy may also help. Milk proteins can spike IGF-1, a growth factor that worsens acne and hormone imbalances.

Step 2: Smart Supplements and Herbs

• Zinc helps reduce acne-causing oil and blocks testosterone from converting into DHT, a more potent androgen.
  
• Omega-3s lower inflammation and help balance hormones.
  
• Inositol (myo- and d-chiro forms) improves insulin sensitivity and reduces acne and cycle irregularity.
  
• Spearmint tea lowers testosterone and helps with acne and unwanted hair.
  
• Saw palmetto and licorice help reduce DHT and calm stress-related hormone spikes.

Step 3: Support Your Stress Response

Stress raises cortisol, which can worsen hormonal acne, hair loss, and fatigue. Adaptogenic herbs such as ashwagandha and rhodiola support adrenal health and help your body manage stress more effectively.

Step 4: Clean Up Your Skincare

Many cosmetics and personal care products contain hormone-disrupting chemicals. Choosing non-toxic, clean skincare products can make a big difference for women with PCOS.

Step 5: Move Your Body

Exercise, especially strength training, improves insulin sensitivity and hormone balance. It also reduces inflammation and boosts mood, all of which support clearer skin.

Final Thoughts

PCOS-related skin issues are not just cosmetic. They are signals of deeper imbalances in your body. The good news is that with the right diet, supplements, lifestyle changes, and stress support, you can heal your skin and your hormones.

You deserve to feel good in your body and confident in your skin. A naturopathic approach to PCOS offers more than temporary relief. It provides a long-term path toward balance and wellness.

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References

Thiboutot D. Acne in women: The role of hormones. J Invest Dermatol. 2004.

Carmina E, Lobo RA. Polycystic ovary syndrome: Symptoms, diagnosis, and management. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006.

Barrea L et al. Nutritional aspects in PCOS: From obesity to vitamin D. Nutrients. 2019.

Unfer V et al. Use of inositols in the treatment of PCOS. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2017.

Russo M et al. The effects of spearmint on free testosterone and acne in PCOS. J Altern Complement Med. 2014.