Seed Cycling for Skin and Hormonal Balance:
Clear Skin from Within

Skin and Hormones: The Hidden Connection You Need to Know

Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate various physiological processes, including those affecting skin health and menstrual cycles. Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are three key hormones that directly influence collagen production, sebum regulation, skin hydration, and skin elasticity.

Estrogen: The Skin’s Best Friend

Estrogen is one of the most important hormones for maintaining healthy, youthful skin, as discussed in this review (Thornton 2002). Here’s how it impacts your skin:

• Collagen Production: Estrogen stimulates collagen synthesis, keeping your skin firm and elastic. During times of high estrogen, such as the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, the skin looks smoother, plumper, and more radiant.
• Hydration: Estrogen boosts hyaluronic acid production, which helps the skin retain moisture, preventing dryness and fine lines.
• Oil Regulation: Estrogen helps balance sebum production, leading to clearer skin with fewer breakouts during the first half of the menstrual cycle.
• Estrogen also plays an important role in wound healing (Horng et al 2017).
• Pigmentation: Estrogen influences melanin production (Jang et al. 2010), which can contribute to hyperpigmentation or conditions like melasma, especially during pregnancy or when using hormonal contraceptives.

Progesterone: The Oil Regulator

Progesterone plays a crucial role in the second half of the menstrual cycle and affects skin health in the following ways:

• Increased Oil Production: Elevated progesterone levels stimulate sebaceous glands, causing an increase in oil production (Kanda et Watandabe, 2005). This can lead to hormonal acne or oily skin, especially in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (Mesen et Young, 2015).
• Skin temperature and skin blood flow increase during the luteal phase, which is also linked to progesterone (Nguyen et al 2024). 

Testosterone: The Secret to Thickness and Sebum

While testosterone is typically thought of as a male hormone, it plays an important role in women’s skin health as well:

• Increased Sebum Production: Testosterone stimulates sebaceous glands, leading to oily skin and the potential for acne, particularly during puberty, pregnancy, or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (Makrantonaki et al 2011, Taiab et Feryl 2024).
• Skin Thickness: Testosterone promotes collagen production, which can make the skin thicker and more resilient, though it can also make the skin more prone to acne due to increased oil production (Brincat et al, 1983).
• Unwanted Hair Growth: Elevated testosterone levels can cause hirsutism, or unwanted hair growth in areas like the face, chest, or abdomen (Taiab et Feryl 2024).

Your Monthly Skin Rollercoaster: What to Expect Each Cycle Phase

Your skin's condition can vary depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle, as hormonal fluctuations directly influence oil production, hydration, and skin appearance. Here’s a breakdown of how hormones affect the skin at different points in the cycle:

• Menstruation (Days 1-5): Hormones drop, both estrogen and progesterone, often leading to dry skin, sensitivity, or breakouts due to the hormonal shifts.
  
• Follicular Phase (Days 6-13): Estrogen rises, leading to smoother, plumper skin, fewer breakouts, and a more youthful glow.
  
• Ovulation (Day 14-16): Estrogen peaks, resulting in radiant, glowing skin, as collagen production is at its highest.
  
• Luteal Phase (Days 17-28): Progesterone rises, leading to increased oil production, potential acne breakouts, and skin that may feel drier or more sensitive. 

Incorporating seed cycling or simply taking Two Moons capsules can help manage hormone levels, potentially improving skin health and balance.

Balance from Within: The Skin-Clearing Power of Seed Cycling

Seed cycling is a natural practice that uses the power of specific seeds to help balance hormones throughout your menstrual cycle. By consuming different seeds during the follicular and luteal phases, you can support the natural fluctuation of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. This can have a positive impact on skin health: The healthy fats, antioxidants, and nutrients found in these seeds help nourish the skin, reduce inflammation, and regulate oil production, making them a great tool for acne management.

• Follicular Phase (Days 1-14): During the seed cycle, focus on flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds. Flaxseeds contain lignans, which help balance estrogen levels, and pumpkin seeds support overall hormone balance while also providing skin-nourishing zinc and omega-3s.
  
• Luteal Phase (Days 15-28): Incorporate sunflower seeds and sesame seeds. The high content of healthy fats in sesame and zinc in sunflower seeds can support progesterone and testosterone balance and contribute to overall hormone health. 

Goodbye Breakouts: How Seeds Help Banish Hormonal Acne

Seed cycling for the skin helps regulate hormones, which can reduce the frequency and severity of hormonal acne. Here’s how:

• Reduces Hormonal Fluctuations: By balancing estrogen and progesterone levels through diet, seed cycling can prevent the oil imbalances that cause clogged pores and acne breakouts, promoting healthier skin.
  
• Supports Collagen Production: The omega-3s and antioxidants in seeds help stimulate collagen production, leading to smoother, firmer skin.
  
• Reduces Inflammation: Seeds rich in antioxidants reduce skin inflammation, a common issue in acne-prone skin.
  
• Healthier Skin: Essential nutrients from seeds support hormonal functions, promoting radiant and glowing skin.
• Radiant, Youthful Skin: The skin becomes more hydrated, with improved elasticity and fewer fine lines.
• Support Sleep: Always an important aspect of healthy skin.

Extra Support: Remedies for Balanced Skin

Topical Remedies

• Tea Tree Oil: Known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, tea tree oil is a popular and effective natural remedy for acne. It helps reduce acne-causing bacteria (Nascimento, 2023) and calms redness. To avoid skin irritation, it's best to dilute tea tree oil with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil before applying.
• Honey: With its natural anti-inflammatory effects, honey has been shown to inhibit Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria responsible for acne (McLoone et al., 2016). It also helps soothe irritated skin and reduce redness.
  

Oral Natural Remedies

• Zinc Supplements: Zinc is essential for skin health, and studies suggest that low zinc levels can worsen acne. By regulating oil production and fighting inflammation (Kim et al., 2024), zinc supplements may significantly reduce acne symptoms.
• Probiotics: Research shows that a healthy gut is directly linked to clearer skin. Probiotics, found in foods like yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables, can help support this balance and improve skin health (Shields et al., 2023). Incorporating probiotic-rich foods or supplements into your daily routine may promote clearer skin.

Easy Wins: Lifestyle Tweaks for a Big Skin Glow-Up

Incorporating seed cycling for skin into your daily routine, alongside other healthy habits, can lead to significant improvements in your skin’s appearance. Consider adding these practices for optimal results:

• Reduce Stress: Stress increases cortisol, which can disrupt hormone balance and worsen breakouts caused by hormones. Meditation, yoga, and regular exercise can help lower stress levels.
• Maintaining a Healthy Sleep Cycle supports healthy hormones.
  
• Maintain Consistency: Consistency in both seed cycling and skincare routines is key to achieving long-term results.
  
• Healthy Diet: A diet rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamins and low in processed food and sugar supports both hormonal balance and skin health.

This brings us back to my close friend - who discovered the potential benefits of certain seeds, she began incorporating them into her diet, specifically flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds, and later sesame and sunflower. Over time, she started to seed cycle and observed a marked improvement and the acne spots became less frequent, especially in the days leading up to her period. This dietary adjustment, she found, had a significant positive impact on her skin, leading to a more balanced complexion throughout her menstrual cycle. 

Natural remedies for acne can be incredibly effective when used consistently and in conjunction with a healthy skincare routine. Seed cycling or seed cycling capsules can be an effective tool.

Here are a few comments from some of the earliest adopters of our seed cycling capsules in our growing community: 

“Skin is looking clear all month long.”

"My acne went down."  

"Skin improvement, mood stabilization."

Keep in mind that acne can have multiple causes, including hormonal imbalances, bacteria, and stress, so a holistic approach is often best. Rather than just focusing on one isolated cause, treating acne from a broad perspective increases the chances of effectively managing and reducing breakouts. If acne persists or worsens, it’s important to consult with a dermatologist to explore other treatment options.

For a quick summary of tips, download our brief guide below.

While this blog discusses health topics, it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider regarding any question you might have regarding your health.

About the Author

Dr. Ulrike Kaunzner is a neuroimmunologist who combines evidence-based care for women’s health with a commitment to integrative medicine. Trained in Germany, and France, and through her residency in NYC, she is passionate about lifelong learning and sharing her knowledge with her patients.

References:

Thornton MJ. The biological actions of estrogens on skin. Exp Dermatol. 2002 Dec;11(6):487-502. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0625.2002.110601.x. PMID: 12473056.

Horng HC, Chang WH, Yeh CC, Huang BS, Chang CP, Chen YJ, Tsui KH, Wang PH. Estrogen Effects on Wound Healing. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Nov 3;18(11):2325. doi: 10.3390/ijms18112325. PMID: 29099810; PMCID: PMC5713294.

Jang YH, Lee JY, Kang HY, Lee ES, Kim YC. Oestrogen and progesterone receptor expression in melasma: an immunohistochemical analysis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2010 Nov;24(11):1312-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03638.x. PMID: 20337826.

Kanda N, Watanabe S. Regulatory roles of sex hormones in cutaneous biology and immunology. J Dermatol Sci. 2005 Apr;38(1):1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2004.10.011. Epub 2004 Dec 9. PMID: 15795118.

Mesen TB, Young SL. Progesterone and the luteal phase: a requisite to reproduction. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2015 Mar;42(1):135-51. doi: 10.1016/j.ogc.2014.10.003. Epub 2015 Jan 5. PMID: 25681845; PMCID: PMC4436586.

Nguyen ML, Nguyen S, Sood N, Marivada S, Magaldino A, Mayrovitz HN. Physiological Changes in Women's Skin During the Menstrual Cycle: A Scoping Review. Cureus. 2024 Dec 7;16(12):e75286. doi: 10.7759/cureus.75286. PMID: 39776723; PMCID: PMC11703644.

Makrantonaki E, Ganceviciene R, Zouboulis C. An update on the role of the sebaceous gland in the pathogenesis of acne. Dermatoendocrinol. 2011 Jan;3(1):41-9. doi: 10.4161/derm.3.1.13900. PMID: 21519409; PMCID: PMC3051853.

Taieb A, Feryel A. Deciphering the Role of Androgen in the Dermatologic Manifestations of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients: A State-of-the-Art Review. Diagnostics (Basel). 2024 Nov 16;14(22):2578. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics14222578. PMID: 39594244; PMCID: PMC11592971.

Brincat M, Moniz CF, Studd JW, Darby AJ, Magos A, Cooper D. Sex hormones and skin collagen content in postmenopausal women. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1983 Nov 5;287(6402):1337-8. doi: 10.1136/bmj.287.6402.1337. PMID: 6416400; PMCID: PMC1549492.

Nascimento T, Gomes D, Simões R, da Graça Miguel M. Tea Tree Oil: Properties and the Therapeutic Approach to Acne-A Review. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023 Jun 12;12(6):1264. doi: 10.3390/antiox12061264. PMID: 37371994; PMCID: PMC10295805.