How to Cure PCOS Acne: Complete Guide for Indian Skin

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is basically one of the most common endocrine disorders that affect women going through their reproductive phase in India. This syndrome impacts the normal health of the women in a very adverse manner. The common symptoms include:

Irregular periods
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Weight gain
Insulin resistance

These symptoms cause significant distress with additional high risk of development of hormonal acne. This takes a toll on the emotional as well as psychological well-being due to red, swollen and painful pimples on the skin associated with abnormal fluctuations in the hormones.

Management of PCOS acne requires a proper strategy that helps to get relief from the consequences of hormonal swings. A holistic approach with a dedicated skincare routine is very crucial to combat the PCOS pimples Indian women. This guide provides a detailed blueprint which is specifically designed to suit the skin type of Indian women.

Why Does PCOS Cause Acne?

PCOS acne is fundamentally associated with hormonal functions inside the body.

Role Of Androgens

Androgens are overproduced by the ovaries in women with PCOS. This excessive secretion of androgens results in hyperstimulation of the sebaceous glands in your skin. This subsequently leads to the overproduction of sticky sebum on the skin that mixes with debris of dead skin cells in the pores and traps the acne microbes (Cutibacterium acnes). This triggers an inflammatory response resulting in PCOS pimples.

Role Of Insulin

Women with PCOS in India have a high chance of risk of having insulin resistance. This means the cells of the body do not respond towards the action of insulin in an effective manner. This results in hyperinsulinemia. The abnormal insulin levels in the body trigger the ovaries to produce excessive testosterone in the body. This male hormone dominance in the body during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle worsens the acne on the skin.

Role Of Cortisol

The menstrual cramps and the simultaneous workload on the body puts the body through mental and physical stress that triggers a surge in cortisol in the body. It directly binds to the receptor binding sites at sebaceous glands and signals them to overproduce natural oil on the skin.

Tips To Identify PCOS Acne

PCOS Acne is generally observed around the jawline, chin, lower part of the cheeks and upper neck region. The breakouts on the skin tend to be very painful, red as well as swollen. These throbbing pimples generally appear on the skin right before or during the menstrual cycle.

Building A Skincare Routine For PCOS Skin

When dealing with hormonal acne due to PCOS/ PCOD, the skin barrier becomes highly prone to irritation, redness, swelling, etc. A dedicated skincare for gentle barrier-support to be followed on a regular basis must include

Morning Routine

Cleansing

Use a gentle as well as non-stripping cleanser with active anti-acne ingredients like:

Salicylic acid
Activated charcoal
Neem
Glycolic acid
Tea tree oil

Targeted PCOD Acne Care--Apply anti-acne gel that promotes optimal regulation of sebum on skin, calm the redness and help in the restoration of compromised skin barrier to a healthy defensive shield of the body.
Moisturization--Opt for non-greasy as well as non-comedogenic moisturizer. A light-weight hydration with actives such as niacinamide, cica, hyaluronic acid, etc. provide the boost to the recovery of the skin barrier with protection to the weakened skin barrier as well as helps in reduction of the transepidermal water loss.
Barrier Protection--UV radiations may worsen the acne and post-acne marks on the skin. You should use a non-comedogenic sunscreen with SPF 30 or more. This will additionally reduce the oxidative stress on the skin.

Evening Routine

Double CleansingStart with removing the makeup from the skin with the help of a cotton pad and micellar water or using a cleansing balm/oil to clear away the layers of cosmetic application on the skin. Then, use a gentle face wash to remove all the dirt, oil, sweat, make up residue and pollutants from the skin.

Targeted Acne ActivesApply the dermatologist-recommended skincare products like anti-acne toner, gel, serum, cream, etc.

Repairing BarrierLock in the moisture barrier to boost the repair. It should also target the reduction in the post-acne marks on the skin. Look for actives such as

Tranexamic acid
Niacinamide
Alpha arbutin

Dietary Modifications You Can Follow To Manage PCOS Acne

Diet plays a very important role in management of the metabolic and hormonal activity in the body. The typical Indian diet with foods high in processing, sugars and fried snacks may cause massive blood sugar spikes that can literally trigger the flareups of acne.

1.Shift To Meals With Low Glycemic Index--They release the sugars gradually preventing the sudden insulin spikes. People with PCOS can switch to a diet rich in oats, ragi, millets, lentils and legumes that are excellent for stabilizing the blood insulin levels.

2.Add On To Your Vitamin Intake--Consume fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals to support a healthy skin barrier with green vegetables, sprout salads, fruit chaats, etc.

3.Limit The Intake Of Dairy Products--Dairy may increase the release of IGF-1 and insulin in the body that can promote inflammation and lead to worsening of acne.

4.Opt For Calming Indian Spices--Turmeric, cinnamon and other soothing ingredients help in improving the systemic inflammation with its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory phytoconstituents.

Lifestyle Adjustments You Can Do To Manage PCOS Acne

The effects of chronic stress, poor sleep and an extremely exhausting sedentary lifestyle on your endocrine system can worsen PCOS acne treatment India.

Stress Management--When you are stressed, the adrenal glands produce excessive stress hormones. This directly affects the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum and trigger inflammation in addition to worsening of PCOS pimples.

Dedicate some of your time to peaceful activities like:

Yoga
Exercise
Meditation

Exercise Daily--You should perform daily exercises to help improve the physical wellbeing of your body. Participate in activities such as brisk walking, swimming, low-intensity cardio, etc.

Focus On Your Sleep Quality--Prioritise the 7-8 hours of quality sleep on a daily basis. This will also help improve the overall health of the body.

Common Medications For Acne

The PCOS acne care may require a proper consultation with the doctor. Here are the some of the commonly prescribed medications:

Anti-Androgenic Drugs--These are generally the standard drugs used for the management of hormonal acne with the suppression of excessive androgen production by the ovaries. These medications require strict supervision of a doctor and proper prescriptions. Common examples include:

Drospirenone
Cyproterone acetate
Spironolactone

Insulin Sensitizers--Improvement in the insulin resistance may be managed using drugs like Metformin with a doctor’s recommendation. Metformin works to regulate the androgen levels additionally that can help to reduce the hormonal acne linked with PCOS.

Topical Prescription Retinoids--Retinoids help in improving the skin cell turnover with the efficient shedding of dead skin cells and prevent their entrapment in the pores leading to pore congestion. Dermatologists prescribe topical acne care actives such as tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene, etc. as per the individual skin condition.

Top Anti-Acne Product Recommendations For Barrier Support By Alite Skincare

Alite Anti-Acne Face Wash

Totally best for deep pore cleansing and daily oil control. Its ingredients included encapsulated activated charcoal, Sebum Control Enzyme, ceramides, meadowsweet extract and aloe vera as key actives. This charcoal face wash is formulated to draw out impurities; dust and pollution particles which get lodged in the pores along with oil secretions.

It uses encapsulated charcoal technology to deliver it deeper into the pores, where added enzymes actively help maintain balance on sebaceous glands that stimulate oil production.

Powerful face wash formulation is not only soap-free and cleanses the skin thoroughly, it effectively builds a stronger skin barrier with ceramides thus protects dryness of the skin and is ideal to use morning and evening for combination, oily and acne prone skins.

Alite Foaming Face Wash

This foam formulation literally is best to manage the

Comedones
Dull skin
Oily skin
Combination skin
Acne-prone skin

It is basically a duet acid formulation which combines the blend of alpha-hydroxy acid & beta-hydroxy acid with Aquaxyl and Aloe vera. This formulation deeply cleanses the pores to disintegrate the blocked sebum, get-rid of blockage of dead skin cells as well as give you smooth, bright skin with better skin cell turnover. This formulation is indeed the best for those that want a deeper gentle cleanse with a rich foamy experience.

Alite Oil-Control Face Wash

This is the best formulation to be used for very oily and at the same time acne prone skin. The key actives within the formula comprises of

1% Salicylic acid to mostly decongest the pores.
Glutathione Complex to help support an even toned skin in addition to having a good antioxidant benefit.

This is indeed the most budget friendly alternative for major concerns of your skin. If your skin problem mainly revolves around oily skin that has excessive shines due to more production of oil (sebum). It is considered to be very mild on the skin and good to

Dissolve oil buildup
Minimize active acne
Gradually clear away the acne marks

Alite Neem And Aloe Vera Face Wash

This face wash is most suitable for sensitive teenagers with young and delicate skin, mild acne prone skin or anyone that chooses herbal actives. The primary active ingredients present in this face wash are Neem liquid extract, dry aloe vera extract, niacinamide, lemon extract and vitamin E. This face wash is the most cost effective choice and is extremely useful as it is soap free and is built around Ayurveda's most trusted acne fighting herb “neem” with the soothing addition of aloe vera and niacinamide for pore refining. Teenagers, beginners to acne skincare and even anyone with a sensitive barrier-health, consider this to be extremely gentle.

Alite Anti-Acne Gel

This acne gel helps to tackle existing breakouts, treating and preventing further recurring pimples. This powerhouse gel contains 5% Niacinamide PC, 6% Silanediol salicylate and 1% Contacticel. This light and easily absorbing gel can be used directly onto the skin post its daily routine cleanse. Niacinamide works to cool down redness and restore the skin barrier, the Silanediol salicylate is the most advanced derivative of Salicylic acid, as it cleans out pores by removing any obstructions and preventing pore congestion without dryness, flaking also in turn reinforces the skin repair. The Contacticel works specifically to control sebum production by giving a dermopurifying effect. This acne gel is non-comedogenic as well as layers effectively under moisturizer.

Alite Spots Reduction Cream

This is a non-comedogenic cream which effectively helps get rid of post acne marks, dark spots pigmentation & uneven skin tone. The key actives of this powerpacked cream are 5% Liposomal Tranexamic Acid, 2% Alpha Arbutin and 4% Niacinamide PC. In conjunction to acne care, these three actives of this brightening cream target dark spots through different pathways involving:

Tranexamic Acid inhibits the pigment producing signals.
Alpha Arbutin inhibits the enzyme for dark spots formation.
Niacinamide inhibits the transfer of pigments into new cells.

Safe for daily usage on most of the Indian skin types.

Alite Anti-Acne Soap

This soap works best on body acne due to hormonal imbalance and PCOS as this bar of soap fights acne on the back, chest, shoulders, arms and legs with the utmost ease and comfort. This potent acne care soap has salicylic acid, tea tree oil, allantoin as well as Vitamin E as their potent ingredients. With the use of a highly moisturizing glycerine rich daily soap bar helps to manage acne prone skin with antiseptic power and works on the face just as much as the body. A simple way to handle sweat induced acne breakouts, hormonal acne and post workout acne in the humid summer conditions of India.

Alite Neem and Aloe Vera Soap

Everyday cleaning of the face and body with this neem soap is very helpful against bacteria. The prominent ingredients of this neem soap are neem extract, aloe vera, glycerine and olive oil. Very gentle on the skin and good for all kinds of skin types, works well for managing the oiliness of the skin throughout the day, without making skin dry. Hydrating as well as soothing action of the aloe vera is synergistically paired up with antibacterial properties of neem.

Alite Neem And Turmeric Soap

It is ideal for daily antibacterial action of soap. Active ingredients are neem liquid, extract of turmeric, olive, jojoba and avocado oils. This is a Grade One purity soap which tends to yield a richer lather and is less drying to the skin after washing than most soaps. The neem will tackle the acne bacteria while the turmeric is known to have calming properties on reddened as well as inflamed skin prone to breakouts.

What We Discussed

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is basically one of the most common endocrine disorders that affect women going through their reproductive phase in India. It causes significant distress with additional high risk of development of hormonal acne. PCOS acne is fundamentally associated with hormonal functions inside the body with a significant role of androgens, cortisol as well as insulin.

The hyperstimulation of the sebaceous glands is linked with hormonal activity in your body. This subsequently leads to the overproduction of sticky sebum on the skin that mixes with debris of dead skin cells in the pores as well as traps the acne microbes (Cutibacterium acnes). This triggers an inflammatory response resulting in PCOS pimples.

PCOS Acne is generally observed around the jawline, chin, lower part of the cheeks and upper neck region. A dedicated skincare for gentle barrier-support to be followed on a regular basis to manage the barrier must include morning and evening skincare routine with cleansing, targeted acne care, moisturization as well as barrier protection. You can modify the diet to help with PCOS by switching to meals with low GI, increasing the intake of vitamins and calming Indian spices while limiting dairy consumption.

You should also make some lifestyle modifications with a focus on stress management, regular exercise and quality sleep. You should also consult a doctor for prescription to improve the skin health with medications like anti-androgenic drugs, retinoids and insulin sensitizers.The top anti-acne product recommendations for barrier support by Alite Skincare include