Ever notice your skin acts differently throughout the month? One week it's glowing and clear, the next it's breaking out like crazy? It's not your imagination! Our hormones fluctuate throughout our menstrual cycle, and guess what? That fluctuation affects our skin too.
This article will introduce you to the concept of cycle-synced skincare, a way to tailor your routine to your body's natural rhythm. By understanding how your hormones impact your skin at different stages of your cycle, you can give your skin exactly what it needs, when it needs it. Imagine – no more surprise breakouts, just radiant, healthy skin all month long! Sound good? Let's dive in!
Internal imbalances can lead to excess oil dryness, skin sensitivity, clogged pores, and inflammation, making someone more “acne prone”. This is why many women experience breakouts during puberty or other hormonal fluctuations throughout our their lives.
This is best explored through lab testing, from the right lens
Menstrual Phase (Days 1-5ish) Skincare
The skin is most sensitive during menstruation, so avoid using harsh products/treatments and trying new products. Instead use soothing and healing products only (similar to how you rest during your cycle, your skin needs healing and rest). If your skin is dry after your period ends, add in more moisturizing ingredients that don't clog pores like Vanicream Daily Moisturizer. Drink a lot of water as there are a lot of minerals lost during your period bleed.
Menstrual Power Moves
⚡️Focus on MOISTURE (thicker moisturizers)
⚡️Drink lots of mineral rich water
⚡️Limit/avoid stripping cleaners/exfoliators
Follicular Phase (Days 6-12ish)
This is when the skin is most resilient and can tolerate new things and more actives. Feel free to experiment trying new products. However, if a product breaks you out in this phase, it's likely not the right product for you. This is also the best time for facial cupping, micro needling and laser treatments.
Ovulation Phase (Days 12-16) Skincare
Breakouts and clogged pores can occur from elevated testosterone during ovulation and you may not break out until the luteal phase as a result. During ovulation you may need to cleanse more or more often. Focus on physical exfoliation and deep oil cleansing and avoid prolonged massaging over sensitive skin or active breakouts as it can make them angry and inflamed (with oil cleansing, massage lightly for no more than 60 seconds). Since you are more prone to bacteria, use a clean pillowcase each night, thoroughly deep clean pores and keep the skin properly exfoliated with gentle exfoliants
Follicular/Ovulation Power Moves
⚡️Lighter moisturizer
⚡️Can handle more exfoliating as skin gets oilier
⚡️Skin is most resilient-- book your skin treatments in this phase if possible
⚡️Great time to incorporate more actives into the skincare routine
⚡️At peak of ovulation, practice good hygiene since excess oil mixed with skin cells not properly exfoliated can lead to trapped bacteria and breakouts
⚡️Switch pillowcases often
⚡️Take all the selfies while your skin is the most glowy
Luteal Phases (Days 16-28ish) Slinccare
Luteal Week 1:
The skin may start to get more oily in this phase, so prioritize chemical exfoliation (mandelic/salicylic acid for oily skin and mandelic/lactic/glycolic acid for dry skin) and clay masks. It may help to use a stronger cream cleanser rather than a gel cleanser in this phase to help with oil control. Add more humectants (hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, tremella, honey, glycerine) in this phase to buffer the oil and use less moisturizers, which are broken down into two categories-- emollients (caprylic/capric triglyceride, colloidal oatmeal, lipids, butters, oils, squalane, ceramides) and occlusives (silicones, oils, waxes).
In summary, use chemical exfoliants that your skin tolerates, add in a clay masks to absorb any excess oil and focus on hydration versus moisture.
Luteal Week 2:
This is the peak time of oil production and skin sensitivity. Avoid trying new products this week. Try to soothe the skin and keep things pretty simple. I love a clay mask for both weeks of the luteal phase that's also hydrating. You can also use cryo face masks and ice rollers to calm heat to prevent inflammation that leads to breakouts. If using chemical exfoliants, only use gentle ones like Clearstem's Clearity. Consume less sugar/caffeine and try to go several days without makeup to let the skin breath
Luteal Power Moves
⚡️Continue supports from last phase into first week of this phase
⚡️Limit excess sugar and stimulants in this phase since the body is more prone to stress and insulin resistance
⚡️Avoid heavy makeup in this phase to let the skin breathe when it's more prone to breakouts in the second week of the luteal phase
⚡️The first week of the luteal phase is one of my favorite times to do a deep exfoliating mask and the second week is my favorite time to do a nourishing hydrating mask
Pair these tips with my free "4 Habits to Improve your Period" guide to get solutions to your hormone symptoms as our skin reflects what's going on inside!
Comments