Home » TCM and Hormone Regulation: What Your Skin Can Reveal

From acne to dullness and unexpected flare-ups, your skin often says more about your internal health than you think. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the skin isn’t just a surface concern; it’s a reflection of deeper imbalances, especially those involving hormones.

When hormones shift out of sync, they can disrupt your body’s internal balance which the skin reveals in subtle — and sometimes not-so-subtle — ways. This is where the power of TCM hormone regulation comes into play, addressing the root causes to restore clarity and glow from the inside out.

Your Skin as a Mirror: The TCM View of Hormones

In TCM, the body is seen as a complete system where organs, blood, and energy (qi) must flow harmoniously for optimal health. Hormonal shifts, caused by stress, menstruation, ageing, or even poor lifestyle habits,are viewed as internal imbalances that disturb this flow. 

Rather than isolating hormones as a separate system, TCM looks at how they interact with the entire body, and the skin is one of the first places these disharmonies show up.

Why TCM Examines the Face for Internal Balance

Facial observation is a cornerstone of TCM diagnostics. Each facial zone corresponds to specific organs: the chin and jaw to the reproductive system, the cheeks to the lungs, the forehead to the digestive system, and so on.

Discolouration, breakouts, or textural changes in these areas can indicate issues in their associated organ systems. This connection enables TCM practitioners to read your skin as a diagnostic map, identifying patterns of disharmony that may indicate hormonal imbalances.

Even in modern medical literature, the skin is recognised as a window to internal health, with certain conditions potentially signalling systemic disease or internal malignancy.

The Role of Qi, Blood & Organ Harmony in Skin Health

Qi (vital energy), Blood, Yin, and Yang must flow smoothly for healthy skin and a balanced hormonal system. For example, when the Liver Qi is stagnant (often caused by stress), it can disrupt menstrual cycles and trigger hormonal acne.

On the other hand, a deficiency in blood or Yin might result in dry, dull skin, while an excess of internal heat could cause redness and breakouts. The balance of the kidney and liver — 2 organs strongly linked to hormonal regulation in TCM — is especially important in maintaining youthful, resilient skin.

Skin Signs That May Point to Hormonal Imbalance

Many people dismiss skin issues as surface-level problems, opting for topical creams or quick fixes. However, TCM encourages you to look deeper.

When your skin consistently reacts in certain ways, especially around hormonal cycles or life transitions like menopause, it may be your body’s way of signalling internal imbalances.

Below are common skin issues that often reflect underlying hormonal dysregulation.

Acne Around the Chin and Jawline

Breakouts in this area are strongly linked to hormonal changes, particularly imbalances involving oestrogen and progesterone. In TCM, the chin and jaw represent the reproductive organs and the Kidney system.

When there’s stagnation in liver qi or a weakness in kidney Yin, hormonal acne tends to flare up in these zones, especially around menstruation or periods of high stress.

Dull, Dry, or Flaky Skin

Dry or lacklustre skin can indicate a deficiency in Yin or blood. In TCM, blood nourishes the skin and keeps it supple, while Yin cools and moistens the body. A deficiency in either can stem from hormonal changes such as menopause or chronic stress, which deplete these vital substances. 

Over time, this imbalance manifests in dry patches, a rough texture, and a general loss of radiance.

Redness, Puffiness, or Sensitivity

Skin that becomes inflamed or overly sensitive may point to excess internal heat or qi stagnation—often related to liver and heart imbalances. These signs can result from emotional stress or overstimulation of the body’s Yang energy, which in turn can disrupt hormone levels. 

The result? Rosacea-like redness, puffiness, or a burning sensation that flares up unpredictably.

Thinning Skin with Dark Spots & Fine Lines

Premature ageing signs, like thinning skin, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines, may stem from declining Kidney Essence (Jing) and blood deficiency. In TCM, the kidney system governs growth, reproduction, and ageing.

As this energy weakens with age or chronic hormonal imbalance, the skin loses its firmness and vitality. This appears as fine lines, dark spots, and a translucent or fragile texture.

Think your skin reflects these deeper imbalances? Our personalised assessment can help uncover what your body is trying to tell you. Book a consultation today to start your journey towards balance and clarity.

How TCM Treatments Promote Hormone Regulation Through Skin Health

Unlike conventional treatments that focus only on symptoms, TCM hormone regulation treatments target the root causes of imbalance. It helps restore harmony between organs, qi, and blood flow—all of which play key roles in both hormone and skin health.

These treatments often include:

Acupuncture, that stimulates key meridian points to:

• Regulate hormonal organ functions (like the liver, kidneys, and spleen)
• Improve qi and blood circulation
• Reduce internal heat and stagnation linked to breakouts or dryness

Herbal therapy, through herbal blends and creams like Vitex cream that help:

• Nourish Yin and blood
• Support hormonal cycles
• Address deficiencies contributing to dull or irritated skin

Adrenal gland treatment, applying manual pressure across 12 meridian lines to:

• Clear blocked qi
• Soothe the nervous system
• Encourage natural hormonal flow and healthier skin.

By supporting internal balance, these holistic treatments can lead to clearer, calmer, and more radiant skin over time.

Embrace Hormone Regulation with TCM at Dr Goh TCM & Health Management!

Whether you’re struggling with monthly breakouts, menopausal skin changes, or stubborn dryness, your skin is speaking to you, and we have the tools to decode it. At Dr Goh TCM & Health Management, a subsidiary of Doux Visage, alongside Doux Visage Aesthetics & Skin Management and Dr Goh Restorative Formula, expert treatments such as acupuncture and adrenal gland treatment are designed to address the root causes of hormonal imbalance.

Through personalised care and natural methods, you’ll be guided toward clearer skin and greater hormonal harmony. Ready to explore the benefits of TCM hormone regulation? Contact us today to begin your journey toward healthier skin through hormonal harmony.