From hormonal acne to histamine skin flares: My journey with skin and cycles

For most of my teens and twenties, hormonal acne was just part of my life. Painful breakouts along my jawline and chin, cysts that lingered for weeks, and an ongoing feeling that my skin was at war with me.

I tried everything, from pharmacy cleansers to restrictive diets, to carefully timed supplements and skin routines. Some helped a little, but nothing truly cleared my skin until I began supporting my body as a whole, especially my hormones, gut, and stress response.

Over time, with the help of herbal medicine, gentle nutrition, and a lot of nervous system work, my skin began to calm. For the first time in years, I wasn’t waking up to angry red bumps or hiding behind makeup.

But here’s the twist: while my hormonal acne healed, I started noticing something new. Small red rashes, tiny pimples or hives, often on my forehead, chest, or neck, flaring up seemingly at random.

At first, I was confused. My skin was “better,” but it still wasn’t completely quiet. Through tracking and testing, I started to uncover a pattern: these flares happened most often…

• When I ate certain foods: fermented, aged, alcohol or leftover meals

• Around ovulation, when oestrogen naturally spikes

• If I was particularly stressed or not sleeping well

The culprit? Histamine.

What I’ve learned about histamine & hormones as a Naturopath.

Histamine isn’t just about hay fever or allergies. It’s a naturally occurring compound in the body that helps regulate immune response, digestion, and even ovulation. But in excess or when it isn’t broken down properly, it can cause inflammation, rashes, flushing, breakouts, and more.

And here’s where it get tricky: oestrogen increases histamine levels. And histamine can also trigger more oestrogen. It becomes a cycle, especially during ovulation or in those of us who are oestrogen dominant or dealing with oestrogen dominate conditions.

So even though my acne healed, my skin still communicates with me just in a different language now.

How I support my skin now

• I track my cycle and give extra support around ovulation (especially liver and gut support).

• I avoid high-histamine foods when I feel more sensitive, like leftovers, wine, kombucha, and aged cheese.

• I focus on grounding foods like cooked vegetables, good fats, and warm meals to calm my nervous system and gut.

• I use herbs and nutrients that gently support histamine breakdown and hormone clearance (under guidance).

• I rest more, slow down, and tune in. Skin always speaks. I’ve just gotten better at listening.

If you’re someone who has done all the “right” things for your acne but still finds yourself reacting, breaking out, or feeling inflamed there may be more to the story. Especially if you notice flares tied to your cycle or certain foods.

You’re not imagining it. Your skin is wise. It’s always asking for balance.

And healing isn’t a straight line, it’s a deepening relationship with yourself.

With love,
Tegan