Blog — hormonal acne

A comprehensive guide to understanding hormone health—from adrenal function and thyroid balance to menopause, andropause, metabolism, and reproductive wellness. Learn how hormonal imbalances develop, how they affect energy, mood, weight, and overall wellbeing, and how modern testing methods like saliva, blood spot, and bioidentical therapies can support personalised health and long-term vitality.

Hormones influence everything from energy and mood to weight, sleep, skin, and long-term health — yet imbalances often go unnoticed. This in-depth guide explains how hormones work, the most common signs of imbalance, and why testing is essential for understanding your body. Learn how cortisol, thyroid hormones, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and insulin shape your wellbeing, and discover practical steps to restore balance naturally through personalised testing, nutrition, lifestyle changes, and targeted support. This is your complete roadmap to understanding and improving your hormonal health.

The human microbiome and the endocrine system are deeply interconnected, engaging in a complex two-way conversation that influences everything from mood to metabolism. One of the most fascinating areas of this interaction centers on estrogen and the gut—a relationship governed by what’s now known as the estrobolome.

Diagnosing acne goes beyond a mere visual examination, determining its severity and potential underlying causes. This comprehensive evaluation by a medical professional helps tailor appropriate treatments to alleviate symptoms effectively.  Diagnostic Process: A General Practitioner (GP) conducts a thorough examination, observing the affected areas like the face, chest, or back to identify distinctive acne symptoms. The presence of blackheads, red nodules, or sore spots assists in categorizing acne severity. Assessing Acne Severity: The severity of acne typically falls into three categories, guiding the course of treatment: Mild Acne: Predominantly characterized by whiteheads and blackheads, occasionally accompanied by a few papules...

Acne, a pervasive skin condition, arises when hair follicles—tiny skin holes—become obstructed. Understanding the intricate mechanisms behind this condition unveils the complex interplay of hormones, genetics, and lifestyle factors.  The Role of Sebaceous Glands: Sebaceous glands near the skin surface produce sebum, an oily substance that moisturises hair and skin. However, these glands begin overproducing sebum in acne, combining it with dead skin cells to create a plug within the follicle. This plug's emergence on the skin's surface leads to either a whitehead or blackhead. Bacterial Infection and Inflammation: When plugged, follicles encounter bacteria that usually reside harmlessly on the...