Lisa: “I am more than my acne:”

Everyone gets a pimple once in a while. Sure, they can make you feel self-conscious, but for the most part, a little strategically placed concealer is all you need to disguise an unsightly spot.

But what if your acne is so bad that it takes over your whole life?

This is exactly what happened to Lisa. But thankfully, her story has a happy ending thanks to Guud Woman. With the right supplements and lifestyle changes, she got her hormonal acne under control.

“I had terrible acne for years,” said Lisa. “When you’re a teenager, acne is pretty common and everyone just accepts it as part of growing up. But when you’re an adult, things change pretty fast. People start to wonder if there’s something wrong with you”.

Knowledge, Supplements and Acceptance

For people like Lisa, all the products in the world simply will not get you the radiant skin they promise. The reality is that healthy skin starts from within – it is directly linked to your hormones.

But, if you’ve tried everything, it can be incredibly frustrating.

When Lisa came to us for help with hormonal acne, the first thing we did was help her find the right supplements. But more importantly, we also helped her understand her own cycle because acne and your hormones are directly linked.

It may be cliché, but we truly believe that knowledge is power. That is why we make such an effort to help educate women about their own cycle.

“Getting the right supplements was the first step,” said Lisa. “But the support from Guud made the biggest difference. I know more about my own body and cycle now and I’ve been able to connect with other women who had acne just like me in the Facebook community. It’s been such a lifesaver.”

Feeling Guud: Inside and Out

Everyone wants radiant skin. But at Guud, we know that looking good and feeling good are connected. Sure, we create supplements, but something we’re really proud of is the warm and inclusive community of like-minded women that we’ve created. We empower each other and lift each other up – that is what makes Guud so special!

If your acne is taking over your life, we want to help you too. Read our FAQs below and see what Guud supplement might be best for you.

Why do I have acne?

It’s probably related to hormonal imbalances. Just like in puberty, your hormones change during your cycle. Some women are more sensitive to this change than others and develop acne as a result.

If your cycle is irregular or you have other extreme symptoms, it’s possible that your hormones are at play and most likely, the root cause of your acne.

How does my skin change during my cycle?

Here’s a breakdown of how your skin changes throughout the different phases of your cycle:

🩸 Menstrual phase

In the days just before your period, the hormones estrogen and progesterone drop. Low estrogen during your period can make your skin feel extra dry so it’s time to up your moisturising game.

✨ Follicular Phase

In this phase, your estrogen increases so you may notice that your skin is more hydrated than when you had your period.

☀️ Ovulation phase

This is when your skin is at its best! Enjoy hydrated skin with a noticeably healthy glow in the days before and during ovulation.

🙎‍♀️ Luteal Phase

In this phase, progesterone plays a starring role and this hormone activates sebum production. Excessive sebum can clog your pores which causes bacteria to build up and cause pimples.

Discover here which skincare you can use according to your cycle. 

Which vitamins and minerals help to maintain your skin?

• Zinc: Studies have shown that zinc can be a promising alternative for acne treatment. This powerful mineral can be found in animal products such as meat, dairy, shellfish and fish. But nuts, lentils and chickpeas also contain zinc. If you would not get enough zinc from food, choose a supplement based on zinc bisglycinate. This type of zinc is well absorbed in the body. 
• Selenium, like zinc, is a powerful mineral linked to health claims and supports the skin. Plus selenium contributes to thyroid function. You can find selenium mainly in fish and certain nuts like Brazil nuts. 
• Vitamin C is a good antioxidant and is good for supporting collagen in the skin. Collagen keeps skin firm and elastic. Unfortunately, collagen production declines as we age. 
• Omega-3 or healthy fats have many benefits for your overall health but also for your skin. Studies have shown that taking omega-3 would have a positive impact on inflamed skin because omega-3 is said to have anti-inflammatory properties. Omega-3 can be found in fatty fish, nuts and seeds, avocado and olive oil. If you are thinking of taking a supplement, choose one made from algae oil and not fish oil. Better for you and the environment. 

What else can I do for acne?

Diet and lifestyl play an importat role. Be aware of things like coffee, sleep deprivation, and stress that can strip your body of important nutrients that keep your hormones healthy and keep your skin looking good.

If you’re on the pill or hormonal IUD, this can also cause acne flare-ups so if this is the case, talk to your GP. There may be a different horonal contraception that is better for you.

Partying too hard, drinking too much and eating junk (especially sugar!) also isn’t going to help your skin. All these things cause your liver to work overtime and your liver needs sufficient nutrients to detoxify your body. If your liver’s full time job is getting rid of wine and sweets, it can’t get rid of your estrogen surplus. This results in something called estrogen dominance and this can lead to… guess what! Pimples!

During the second half of your cycle, progesterone starts to rise. This can cause more pimples as a result of increased sebum production so think about a supplement with zinc. 

More questions? Don’t guess, get in touch! We can help you.