Breakouts that show up regularly each month, just before your period. Shiny skin, clogged pores, and inflammation that keeps coming back despite all your topical treatments. If this sounds familiar, you’re probably dealing with hormonal acne. And the solution isn’t always found in the bathroom cabinet.
Understanding hormonal acne
Hormonal acne is directly linked to fluctuations in androgen hormones - particularly testosterone - which stimulate the sebaceous glands. When these glands produce too much sebum, pores become clogged, bacteria proliferate, and inflammation sets in. The result: red, inflamed breakouts, often concentrated on the chin, jawline, neck, or back.
It affects teenagers and adults alike, and often appears cyclically in women: worsening before their period, after stopping birth control, or during periods of hormonal stress. Treating only the surface of the skin (creams, lotions, topical antibiotics) targets the symptoms, not the cause.
Diet and lifestyle: the essential foundations
Some foods can worsen hormonal imbalances and sebum production. Reducing refined sugar and high-glycemic-index dairy products is often beneficial for acne-prone skin. Conversely, foods rich in zinc (pumpkin seeds, legumes, quality meat) and antioxidants (berries, colorful vegetables) support skin balance. Sleep and stress management also play a direct role: cortisol increases sebum production.
Choosing the right supplements for acne-prone skin
To address hormonal acne from within, several active ingredients are particularly well established. Zinc helps maintain normal skin and regulate inflammation and bacterial proliferation. Vitamin B6 helps regulate hormonal activity, particularly during periods of cyclical fluctuations. Certain plants, such as nettle, are recognized for helping problem skin by contributing to clearer skin. Specific antioxidants also play a role in preventing sebum oxidation, which contributes to clogged pores.
The Epycure solution: Anti-blemish Gummies
Epycure’s Anti-blemish Gummies were specifically designed for skin prone to hormonal acne. Their key ingredient: Actrisave® (250 mg), an exclusive synergy of black rice and prickly pear developed to target the hormonal causes of acne.
- Prickly pear is rich in isorhamnetin, a flavonoid that helps rebalance androgen hormones involved in hormonal acne.
- Black rice is concentrated in anthocyanins, which have antioxidant properties that prevent sebum oxidation and help limit pore clogging.
A study demonstrated that combining the two plants multiplies their sebum-regulating effectiveness compared with using them separately. The formula also includes nettle (25 mg), recognized for helping problem skin, zinc (10 mg, 100% of the reference intake), which helps maintain normal skin, and vitamin B6 (1.4 mg), which helps regulate hormonal activity.
Lab'Epycure results (26 testers over 3 months): 85% found their skin more beautiful, 73% had fewer cysts and microcysts, and 73% found the treatment effective for their blemishes.
Timeline: reduced skin irritation from Day 30, sebum regulation and refined skin texture by Day 60, and visibly reduced blemishes and inflammation by Day 90. Redcurrant flavor, 99.4% naturally sourced ingredients, vegan, made in France. Suitable from age 12. For a complete approach to skin beauty - blemishes AND radiance - the Duo Belle Peau combines the Anti-blemish Gummies with the Plumped Skin Treatment for a clearer complexion and a luminous glow.
