Inside + Out Acne Healing: A Holistic Esthetician and Health Coach’s Guide to Hormonal Skin

As a holistic esthetician and health coach, I’ve seen firsthand how confusing and frustrating hormonal breakouts can be—especially when you’re doing “everything right” and still find yourself breaking out like a teenager.

The truth is, hormonal acne is a little different. It often requires a different approach—one that blends skincare, lifestyle, and internal wellness. If you’re noticing breakouts along your jawline, chin, or neck (especially around your cycle), it’s likely you're dealing with hormonal acne.

What Causes Hormonal Breakouts?

Hormonal acne is most often tied to fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. These shifts can be influenced by:

Menstrual cycles
Discontinuing or starting birth control
Perimenopause or menopause
Stress or adrenal fatigue
Blood sugar imbalances

If you’re dealing with breakouts that are deep, painful, and seem to flare up in cycles, your hormones are probably playing a role.

Step One: Support Your Skin (and Hormones) From the Inside

Holistic wellness is always step one. Some of my favorite ways to naturally support hormonal balance include:

Balancing blood sugar: Focus on meals with protein, fiber, and healthy fats. This stabilizes insulin and reduces androgen spikes that can trigger oil production. Try to limit or avoid refined and added sugars, and refined carbs and replace them with complex carbs and natural sugars from fruit.
Managing stress: Cortisol throws everything off. Incorporate daily stress relief—whether that’s mindfulness, breathwork, massage, exercise, journaling, or a warm bath.
Supporting liver detox: Your liver metabolizes excess hormones. Eating bitter greens, drinking dandelion root tea, and staying hydrated can support your body’s natural hormone-clearing system.
Prioritizing sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours each night—your hormones regulate while you sleep.

Step Two: Use the Right Skincare

At Citron, we carry clean, professional-grade products by Glo Skin Beauty that support your skin without clogging or irritating it. Here's a simple routine I love for clients experiencing hormonal breakouts:

AM:

Cleanse: Clear Skin Cleanser
Tone: Clear Complexion Pads
Spot Treat: Clear Skin Spot Treatment
Moisturize: Oil-Free Moisturizer
Protect: Oil-Free SPF 40

PM:

Cleanse: Clear Skin Cleanser
Tone: Clear Complexion Pads
Treat: Beta-Clarity BHA Drops (if you're already using retinol)
Moisturize: Oil-Free Moisturizer
Weekly Mask: Charcoal Detox Mask (1–2x per week)

Use your skincare as a time to make it a ritual. Light a candle, steam a couple of towels, inhale some grounding essential oils. Skincare is self-care—and that mindset shift will help this time for yourself make a bigger difference.

Step Three: Spa Treatments That Actually Help

Start with an initial Glo Detox Facial so we can analyze your skin and build a plan tailored to your goals and skin history.

What we often recommend for hormonal breakouts:

Glo Detox Facial (monthly or biweekly depending on severity)
LED Light Therapy (blue light kills acne bacteria, red light reduces inflammation and speeds healing)
Beta Clarity AHA Peels or Level 3 Peels for deeper congestion
Infrared Sauna Therapy – included with every facial – to support detox, calm inflammation, and boost circulation

Yes, every facial at Citron includes a private infrared sauna session, which helps your body eliminate toxins, reduce inflammation, and promote hormonal balance from the inside out. It’s one of our favorite integrative tools for supporting clearer skin and a calmer nervous system.

Bonus Recommendation: Lifestyle Memberships for Long-Term Care

Consistent self-care leads to sustainable, lasting results. That’s why we offer Lifestyle Memberships that make staying on top of your skincare (and stress relief!) easy and attainable: