Estrogen is the secret to youthful skin due to its influence on levels of collagen and hyaluronic acid in the skin. When this hormone is low, signs of aging, such as fine lines and a decrease in elasticity, become more visible. The skin also becomes dehydrated, leaving it more susceptible to oxidative damage. Research also shows that estrogen may help with acne by suppressing oil (sebum) production (this is why your acne may worsen at the beginning of your cycle when estrogen is lower).
On the other hand, high estrogen triggers the skin to overproduce melanin, or skin pigment, which leads to dark spots that worsen if you are often out in the sun. If you are pregnant, you may notice brown-gray patches of hyperpigmentation known as melasma (or the “mask of pregnancy”) as estrogen rises to support your pregnancy. Melasma has also been observed in women on birth control.
Estrogen is an important indicator of your health beyond just fertility. It also influences sebaceous glands that produce oils to protect and moisturize hair. It is no wonder that with lower estrogen, you may experience more hair loss than usual. Research has shown that even in healthy women, lower estrogen is associated with increased negative mood response. For women going through menopause (that’s over 1.5 million women in the US alone), lower estrogen triggers hot flashes, insomnia, fatigue, decreased libido, and weight gain.
If you have higher estrogen or estrogen dominance (where the ratio of estrogen to other hormones is off), you may experience worsening PMS symptoms, such as bloating, mood swings, irritability, breast tenderness, and difficulty sleeping. Higher estrogen is often due to a lack of fiber that can help expel the hormone.
Our skincare collection contains nature’s most potent botanicals and actives, precisely engineered to target the most common concerns caused by hormonal imbalances. Always endocrine-disruptor free, fragrance-free, and cruelty-free.