400 | id == 400
400 | category_id == 24
400 | category_order == 21
400 | category_name == Acne
400 | category_color == #C47AC0
400 | slug == CYP-hormones-acne
400 | title == Genetic Links Between Sex Hormones and Acne (CYP)
400 | meta_description == Two CYP enzymes help produce sex hormones and thus influence acne development. Discover the genetics behind it!
400 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong>The CYP19A1 and CYP17A1 genes play central roles in sex hormones production. Read this post to learn about their link with acne development and get gene-based recommendations + <em>bonus tip at the bottom!&nbsp;</em></strong></p>
400 | overall_score_text == Your Acne Score (based on CYP genes)
400 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/CYP19A1-Acne.jpg
400 | author_id == 9
400 | author_name == Aleksa Ristic
400 | author_title == MS (Pharmacy)
400 | author_order == 45
400 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Aleksa.jpg
400 | author_intro == <p><strong>Aleksa received his MS in Pharmacy from the University of Belgrade, his master thesis focusing on protein sources in plant-based diets.</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>    <p>Aleksa is passionate about herbal pharmacy, nutrition, and functional medicine. He found a way to merge his two biggest passions&mdash;writing and health&mdash;and use them for noble purposes. His mission is to bridge the gap between science and everyday life, helping readers improve their health and feel better.</p>
400 | reviewer == None
400 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
400 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
400 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
400 | publish_date == 2020
400 | publish_date == 10
400 | publish_date == 10
400 | avg_rating == 5.0
400 | tags_id == 774
400 | tags_name == Acne
400 | tags_id == 807
400 | tags_name == Androgens
400 | tags_id == 810
400 | tags_name == CYP17A1 gene
400 | tags_id == 809
400 | tags_name == CYP19A1 gene
400 | tags_id == 133
400 | tags_name == Estrogen
400 | tags_id == 808
400 | tags_name == Sex hormones
400 | permissions_favorite == False
400 | permissions_rate == False
400 | content_article == <h2><strong>Summary</strong></h2> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><strong>The CYP17A1 and CYP19A1 genes play crucial roles in producing sex hormones, which are often imbalanced in people with acne.<br /><br /></strong><strong>People with specific variants in these genes may be prone to acne due to excess male and insufficient female sex hormones.<br /><br /></strong><strong>There are simple ways to prevent and improve acne by targeting your CYP genes.</strong></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong>CYP Genes, Sex Hormones &amp; Acne</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/cyp17a1/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">CYP17A1</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene encodes an enzyme that helps produce male sex hormones or androgens [</span><a href="https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/CYP17A1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/cyp19a1/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">CYP19A1</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene helps make aromatase, an enzyme that produces female sex hormones or </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/how-to-increase-decrease-estrogen/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">estrogens</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23643682/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Excess levels of </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/testosterone-will-add/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">testosterone</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and other androgens can contribute to </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/everything-need-know-acne/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">acne</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> by increasing skin inflammation and sebum production. On the other hand, estrogens oppose this effect and help protect the skin [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7081083/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11594669/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mutations in these genes correlate with hormone-dependent cancers, </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/myoinositol/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">PCOS</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and other hormonal disorders [</span><a href="https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/165/3/235/135487/Variants-in-Estrogen-Biosynthesis-Genes-Sex"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6030014/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2760732/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24968701/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">The CYP17A1 and CYP19A1 genes play crucial roles in producing sex hormones, which are often imbalanced in people with acne.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong>Your CYP Results for Acne</strong></h2> <p>*5794881910160836*</p> <p><strong>CYP19A1 </strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs700518/"><strong>rs700518</strong></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7081083/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24968701/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; - associated with higher odds of developing acne</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; - not associated with acne</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;C&rsquo; allele likely reduces CYP19A1 activity and estrogen production.</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>CYP17A1 </strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs743572/"><strong>rs743572</strong></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29285776/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20650774/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16707883/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; - associated with higher odds of developing acne</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; - not associated with acne</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;G&rsquo; allele likely increases CYP17A1 activity and androgen production.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In women, the effect may be limited to those with high androgen levels.</span></li> </ul> <p>*7671794180853964*</p> <h2><strong>Recommendations to Improve Acne</strong></h2> <p>*5204153524555899*</p> <h3><strong>Diet</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Green Tea</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tea contains phytoestrogens, plant components that can help balance estrogen levels [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6390141/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Preliminary research has associated regular </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/green-tea/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">green tea</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> consumption with increased </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/estradiol/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">estradiol</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> levels in women [</span><a href="https://academic.oup.com/carcin/article/26/5/976/2390820"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Supplementation with decaffeinated green tea extract or EGCG, its active ingredient, may significantly reduce acne [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27062963/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23096708/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In test tubes, EGCG blocked fat secretion in the skin and inhibited acne-causing bacteria (</span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cutibacterium</span></em> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">acnes</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">) [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23096708/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Green tea may improve acne by targeting your CYP genes.</span></p> <h3><strong>Supplements</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Omega-3</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Omega-3 fatty acids from </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/top-22-science-based-health-benefits-of-fish-oil/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">fish oil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> may reduce testosterone and increase estrogen levels in women. As a result, they may help with PCOS, a hormonal disorder that often causes acne [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3941370/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6366354/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fish oil supplementation reduced acne severity in two clinical trials and a few case studies, especially for those with moderate-to-severe acne [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3543297/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24553997/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2577647/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Consider supplementing with fish oil to counteract your CYP genes and improve acne.</span></p> <h4><strong>Zinc (for Women)</strong></h4> <p><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/literally-everything-wanted-know-zinc-backed-science/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zinc</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> deficiency is associated with hormonal imbalances that can lead to ovarian function problems, menstruation irregularities, and infertility [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1375078"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zinc supplementation may balance sex hormones and help with menstrual </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/pain-management/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">pain</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, PCOS, and other hormonal disorders in women [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24559600"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4861396/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25868059"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26315303"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Multiple clinical trials suggest that taking zinc supplements (zinc sulfate or zinc gluconate) can improve acne [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11586012/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2575335/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/82356/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6163281/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/137693/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/146511/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20666829/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A topical combination of zinc with the antibiotic erythromycin reduced acne and skin fat production in several studies [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2138180/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2533878?dopt=Abstract"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8751022/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17309451/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Given the potential of zinc to boost </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/testosterone-will-add/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">testosterone</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, men with CYP variants and excess androgens may want to avoid it [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7271365"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1609752"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Zinc supplements may balance sex hormones and improve acne. Men with high androgen levels may want to avoid them.</span></p> <p><strong>***BONUS TIP: </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Skincare products with </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/top-15-scientific-health-benefits-of-resveratrol-with-references/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">resveratrol</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> may protect the skin and help improve acne. Resveratrol can counteract the CYP17A1 variant but also amplify the effects of the CYP19A1 variant [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21348544"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24610083"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16611627"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. So check your genes carefully before trying it out!&nbsp;</span></p>
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400 | content_learn_more_7671794180853964_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your CYP genes are associated with slightly higher odds of developing acne. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of acne; it’s just a genetic factor related to it. Drink green tea and consider taking certain supplements to reduce the impact of your genes. Keep scrolling to find out more.
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rsIDs = rs700518,rs743572
rsStatus = rs700518,CYP19A1,chr15,51236915,T,C,,,30,13,HET
rsStatus = rs743572,CYP17A1,chr10,102837395,A,G,T,,35,0,Normal
