How your period affects your skin

If it’s not enough that periods can affect your mood, cause painful cramps and bloating, they can also impact your skin.

The average menstrual cycle is 28 days (from day 1 of your period until the first day of your next period).

So, we’ve broken this down into phases so you know what to expect from your skin each month.

Just before your period

As your hormone levels change, your skin produces more sebum (oil) during this time, making breakouts much more likely. If you already have acne, you may find it worsens during this time.

You can normally tell breakouts are caused by your hormones if they appear on your chin or jawline.

Your skin care essentials:

Use your Silver Intensive Mask to give your skin an intense dose of Silver Chitoderm, and help calm breakouts and keep your skin hydrated.

Avoid make-up or keep this to a minimum (if you do wear it, make sure to apply your serum before to help create an antibacterial barrier and prevent breakouts).

Drink green tea, which is a natural skin antioxidant that will help prevent breakouts.

During your period

At this time, your oestrogen and progesterone levels are low, meaning that your skin is normally dryer than usual.

It can also lose brightness and make fine lines appear more pronounced.

Your skin care essentials:

Ensure you are moisturising twice a day.

Use 2-3 drops of your Super Hydrating Elixir before moisturising to help quench thirsty skin (this also contains Niacinamides to help boost brightness and Silver Chitoderm, to help calm any pre-menstrual breakouts).

Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated.

After your period

In the week after your period, you should see any breakouts or dry skin that flared up during your period, start to dissipate. Normally your skin is looking its best during this time.

As your testosterone and oestrogen levels slowly rise, your skin should become more hydrated and supple, as collagen production increases.

You also may see more of a natural glow, especially around day 10-13 of your cycle as your oestrogen levels peak.

Your skin care essentials:

Keep up your normal skin care routine, cleansing, applying your serum and moisturising twice a day.

During ovulation (usually day 14)

When you ovulate, you normally find your skin is at its clearest and brightest during this time.

Oestrogen, which peaks during ovulation, often causes a healthy glow, as well.

Your skin care essentials:

Keep up your normal skin care routine.

Use your Cambrian Blue Clay Mask a few days after ovulation to help prepare your skin for pre-menstrual breakouts. It draws out impurities as it dries, and is full of essential minerals and antioxidants.

And so the cycle goes on… of course, you may notice differences in how your skin reacts to your menstrual cycle, as this is a general guide.

But if you have acne prone skin, it is likely that your period will have some impact on breakouts.

However your skin reacts to your cycle, remember that breakouts are completely normal and natural at any time of the month. 😊