Syncing your Skincare Routine to Your Period to Control Hormonal Acne
Syncing your Skincare Routine to Your Period to Control Hormonal Acne. Do you notice that you tend to breakout right before your period? Do you find the pimples tend to be those deep, angry ones that you used to get as a teenager? Does the acne appear around your chin and jawline? If so, you’re not alone. Hormonal acne is very common, especially in women, which seems to always lure it’s ugly head (pun intended!) right before your period. If you get hormonal acne on a regular basis, you might want to consider syncing your skincare to your monthly schedule to help counteract breakouts.
Three hormones, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, have an impact on your skin during your monthly cycle and sometimes your skin doesn’t respond so favourably. Skin hydration, sensitivity level, sebum production, and barrier function are just some of the reported changes experienced. Discover what changes you can expect in your skin and how you can adjust your skincare regime so it works with – not against – any hormonal changes.
Syncing your Skincare Routine to Your Period to Control Hormonal Acne
Week 1
Hello period, hello dry skin. During week 1, your hormones such as estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest point, so you might experience dry, dull skin and find it difficult for your skin to hold onto moisture. This is a great time to give skin some TLC, using gentle products that help rehydrate and plump skin.
Skin tip: Now is the time to use water-based products for hydration, such as hyaluronic acid serums. A Vitamin C serum will help boost skin and help with lackluster. Skin will also benefit from using a more emollient moisturizer and a rich, moisture mask treatment.
Weeks 2 + 3
As hormones start their steady climb, collagen and elastin production increases and you will likely notice an improvement to skin’s natural glow. Your skin looks and feels more hydrated, plump and youthful.
As you enter the ovulation period (about days 13-15 days before your next period begins), hormone levels are at their peak. If you experience hormonal acne, now is a good time to think about prevention by using a good detoxifying mask and exfoliation treatment. This will help keep pores clean and free from buildup.
Skin tip: Opt for plumping peptides and retinol serum to encourage skin’s natural turnover process. This is also a great time for an exfoliating mask.
Week 4
After ovulation occurs, your hormones such as estrogen and progesterone drop below testosterone levels. Skin could look puffy and bloated, as water retention is a common side effect leading up to your period. Drink lots of water to help keep skin clear.
A spike or imbalance in testosterone can increase oil production and can result in blemishes, cystic acne and clogged pores. Using products that contain alpha hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid and lactic acid or using salicylic acid can help prevent and clear breakouts.
Skin tip: Increasing exfoliation and purification masks may help prevent skin congestion so skin stays smoother and clearer.
“Period-related hormonal breakouts are very common in the perimenstrual phase (the 10 days before your period, plus days of bleeding” (1).
Diet
Eating a well-balanced diet is one way to help control hormonal acne. The best foods are vegetables, foods high in omega-3s, healthy fats, grass fed chicken, leafy greens, walnuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds and high fiber fruits. In addition, avoiding foods that are possible triggers such as dairy, sugar and limiting alcohol.
There is some evidence that shows by following a low glycemic diet and avoiding certain foods can help improve hormonal acne. (2) Foods to avoid include white bread, white rice, sugary food and drinks, highly processed foods.
Resources
- Skin and the cycle: how hormones affect your skin. Telfer. HelloClue.
- Low glycaemic diet and metformin therapy: a new approach in male subjects with acne resistant to common treatments. G. Fabbrocin et al. PubMed.