This week’s Healthy Skin Tip focuses on PCOS.

While this may not directly apply to everyone, September is PCOS Awareness Month and June is Acne Awareness Month, and there is often overlap between hormonal skin concerns seen across both.

We know that hormones play a significant role in skin health in both women and men. For this reason, it can be helpful to understand conditions such as PCOS, insulin resistance, diabetes, and how they may be associated with inflammatory skin presentations such as acne and other skin imbalances.

What is PCOS?

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is a hormonal condition affecting people with ovaries. It is characterised by a complex interplay of hormonal fluctuations, including androgens (commonly referred to as “male” hormones such as testosterone), which may be present in higher levels than typical.

These hormonal patterns can be associated with a range of symptoms, which may include increased facial or body hair growth, acne (including cystic-type breakouts), changes in menstrual cycle regularity such as irregular or absent ovulation, and in some cases, challenges with fertility. Weight changes and metabolic differences are also commonly reported.

Current clinical approaches often involve a combination of lifestyle support and medical management. In some cases, healthcare practitioners may prescribe medications such as the oral contraceptive pill to help regulate hormonal cycles, or medications such as metformin where insulin resistance is a contributing factor.

PCOS is also commonly discussed in the context of insulin resistance, which is a metabolic state where the body’s cells may not respond as efficiently to insulin. Research suggests there may be an association between insulin regulation and hormonal balance in PCOS.

In the next section, I’ll share some supportive strategies that may help improve insulin sensitivity and overall skin health.

If you are looking for a specialised treatment plan to help you in the management of PCOS and/or Acne, be sure to book yourself in for a consultation either online or in clinic. 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the presence of increased ovarian follicles is often associated with a Phlegm/Damp accumulation pattern within the body.

From this perspective, Phlegm/Damp may present alongside symptoms such as a sense of heaviness or sluggishness, low motivation, and a general feeling of internal stagnation. Individuals may also notice that initiating physical activity feels mentally or emotionally challenging, sometimes experienced as resistance, stress, or frustration.

However, it is important to emphasise that movement and physical activity are one of the most effective strategies in helping to transform Phlegm/Damp patterns. Regular exercise is considered highly beneficial in supporting the body’s metabolic processes, encouraging circulation, and assisting in restoring balance between androgen levels and other reproductive hormones. It may also play a supportive role in regulating ovulatory function and improving fertility outcomes in some individuals.

In clinical practice, it is often observed that consistent movement can have a meaningful impact on both metabolic and hormonal regulation.

This leads into Tip No. 1:

Tip No. 1: Regular Exercise

Engaging in regular physical activity supports the mobilisation and transformation of Phlegm/Damp within the body. This may have a downstream effect on hormonal balance, including androgen activity, and may assist in improving insulin sensitivity—particularly when accompanied by reductions in central (abdominal) adiposity.

Over time, these changes may contribute to improvements in hormonal regulation and skin clarity.

Important note: It is recommended to shower after exercise, as leaving sweat on the skin for prolonged periods may contribute to pore occlusion and potentially exacerbate acne lesions in susceptible individuals.

Tip No. 2: Insulin-Responsive Dietary Approach

A dietary approach that supports insulin sensitivity may assist in improving both metabolic and hormonal balance.

This typically involves moderating overall carbohydrate intake and prioritising low glycaemic index (GI) carbohydrate sources. As a general guide, carbohydrates may be reduced to approximately one-eighth of the plate, with emphasis placed on whole-food, low-GI options.

Clinically, improvements in insulin regulation are often associated with reductions in systemic inflammation, which may present as decreased facial erythema (redness), reduced inflammatory acne lesions, and overall improvement in skin clarity.