Hormone Series: Skin Changes Through The Menstrual Cycle
Have you ever woken up to a painful pimple and wondered why you seem to get breakouts at the same time every month? Us too.
Although most of us have experienced the dreaded period breakout, there are other skin changes during our menstrual cycle that we can come to understand and treat through soothing skincare. These skin changes can sometimes feel random; one day we’re bright and glowing and the next we feel dry and dull. Environmental factors like diet, stress, pollution, and water intake can all contribute, but our hormones play a large role in how our skin feels.
If the world of hormones and skincare is new to you, don’t worry. We’ve designed a beginners guide to all things menstrual cycle and skin changes so that your skin can feel comfortable, calm, and hydrated during every day of the month.
Menstrual Phase
Your period marks the beginning of the menstrual phase and leads to a drop in all hormones. This hormone shift can result in a loss of moisture in the skin. During this phase both progesterone and estrogen levels are low resulting in low oil production and skin that can look dull, and feel dry. There is also a rise in prostagladins which can cause skin inflammation and make skin feel more sensitive.
Thirsty, Dull Skin
Your skin may feel dry, tight, and dull during this time and in need of extra hydration. Treat your skin to deep, targeted care with a moisturizing treatment like Consonant Skincare’s Hydrextreme Extreme Hydration Booster. This ultra-nourishing serum features cassia angustifolia, a plant extract that holds 1000x its own weight in water. It delivers soft, instant hydration and you can expect to feel the difference with a single use.
Follicular Phase
The follicular phase takes place before ovulation or approximately days 7-14 of your menstrual cycle. During this phase estrogen levels begin to rise, there is a boost in collagen levels and skin thickens decreasing the size of your pores. During this phase exfoliate your skin and embrace your natural ‘glow’.
Healthy Skin & Cell Renewal
Take advantage of these good skin days and focus on gentle exfoliation during the Follicular phase. We love to use Province Apothecary’s Regenerating + Stimulating Exfoliator 1-2 times during this phase. The gentle blend of green tea, oat flour, and lavender gently removes dead skin cells to reveal brighter, even skin.
Ovulation
During ovulation, your egg is released from the ovary and makes its way into the fallopian tube. This marks the middle of your cycle and the hormone estrogen is at an all-time high during this phase. Due to this peak in estrogen, you may notice that your skin looks healthy and glowing.
Goddess Glow & Smooth Skin
Luteal Phase
The luteal phase begins after ovulation and continues until the start of your period. As estrogen and progesterone drop and testosterone levels increase, your skin may produce more oil and become prone to acne.
Skin Congestion & Period Breakouts
To combat shiny skin and large pores, be sure to deep clean your skin with a purifying cleanser during your luteal phase. We’ve been using Beuti Skincare’s Pomegranate Glow Enzyme Cleanser to keep our skin fresh and breakout-free. It contains a blend of fruit enzymes and kaolin clay to detoxify skin and prevent acne-causing bacteria from entering our pores.
What skin changes have you noticed during your menstrual cycle? How do you care for your skin during each phase? Share your tips in the comment section below and connect with us on Instagram @lurrawellness.