Menstrual Cycle Skin Changes
Menstrual cycle skin changes are a fact of life. At one point or another, many women will have experienced waking up one morning faced with the start of a spot, prompting the sudden realisation that their period is due.
But why do hormonal changes show up on our faces during the menstrual cycle – and what skincare tweaks can we make to tackle them?
In today’s journal entry, I cover everything you need to know about menstrual cycles and skin – how your self-care routine can run in harmony with your hormones.
Menstrual cycle skin changes
Throughout our lives, our skin reflects changes happening within, whether through diet, age or – today’s topic – hormones.
Hormones are chemical messengers that play a vital role in nurturing our skin, and when there is an increase or an imbalance in our hormones (such as during puberty, menopause or periods), our skin sees the effects.
Oestrogen and progesterone are the two most common culprits when it comes to menstrual cycle skin. Both produced by the ovaries, these hormones work together to manage the menstrual cycle, and impact the skin in various ways depending on the stage, as I outline below.
Dry Skin During Period
During your period (also called the ‘menstrual phase’ which takes place on days 1-5 of your cycle) oestrogen and progesterone levels drop right off, prompting a decrease in collagen which can cause dehydration and skin sensitivity.
Some people also experience itchy skin during their period. This could be progesterone hypersensitivity, where your body reacts to the rise in progesterone, triggering an allergic reaction – typically appearing between 3-10 days before your period, and alleviating 1-2 days after your period starts. This is fairly rare, but if you do have itchy skin during your period, it’s worth consulting with your doctor.
Glowing Skin Post-Period
During the follicular phase (day 6-14), oestrogen levels rise ahead of ovulation, causing increased collagen production, leaving skin looking softer and more radiant.
Oily Skin Before Period
During the luteal phase (days 15-28), post-ovulation progesterone levels begin to heighten, prompting production of sebum which can clog pores and congest the skin, often causing acne breakouts.
The severity of hormonal acne can vary widely depending on hormonal imbalances, genetics, and environmental factors such as pollution. If hormonal acne is affecting you, make sure to consult with a dermatologist.
My Favourites For Skin Care During Menstrual Cycle
Tailoring your self-care routine to your menstrual cycle can be simple. Below are my recommendations for skin care during your menstrual cycle.
Days 1-5: Keep it simple and hero hydration: I favour CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion for the face, and our Joonbyrd SUNDAY SOFA Rejuvenating Body Butter for the body.
Days 5-14: As your skin generates a natural glow, now is the time to embrace the simple life. Your regular cleanser moisturiser should keep your face looking clear, and a straightforward body care routine of cleansing, moisturising and occasional exfoliation will deliver everything you need below the chin.
Days 15-28: As sebum levels increase, use a gentle cleanser such as SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser. A non-comedogenic moisturizer like Avene Hydrance Aqua Gel or La Roche Posay Effaclar H Moisturising can also help to manage acne and keep your skin balanced.
Discover further expert insight on skin care and self care via my journal.
