The Menstrual Cycle’s Effect on Skin Health

What is the Menstrual Cycle?

The menstrual cycle is a natural biological process that prepares a woman's body for pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, the lining of the uterus sheds, resulting in a period. This cycle typically lasts 28 days, though it can range from 21 to 35 days. Young women usually experience their first period around age 12.

Your mood and cravings aren’t the only things affected by your menstrual cycle—your skin goes through changes too. Many women experience oilier skin and breakouts, with studies showing that nearly half of women deal with premenstrual acne flares.

These skin changes are triggered by hormonal fluctuations. For example, shifts in estrogen levels can impact your skin’s texture, moisture balance, and thickness. Additionally, hormonal changes can boost sebum production, which can mix with dead skin cells, clog pores, and lead to acne.

Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle consists of four main phases, each with unique hormonal changes that impact the skin:

Menstruation Phase (Days 1 - 5)

During menstruation, estrogen and progesterone levels are at their lowest, weakening the skin barrier and increasing dryness and sensitivity. This makes the skin more vulnerable to irritation and environmental damage.

💡 Skin care Tips 💡

• Hydrate: Use hydrating serums, masks, and moisturizers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid to keep the skin moisturized.
• Support the Skin Barrier: Look for products with peptides to strengthen and protect the skin.
• Gentle Cleansing: Choose a mild cleanser to avoid stripping natural oils and causing irritation.

Follicular Phase (Days 7 to 11)

This phase starts on the first day of your period and continues until ovulation. During this time, estrogen levels rise, boosting the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. This encourages the development of more elastic skin cells and increases cell turnover, resulting in a plumper, fresher, and more youthful complexion.

💡 Skin care tips 💡

• Focus on gentle exfoliation to keep pores clear and prevent congestion.
• Incorporate a high-quality vitamin C serum into your routine to enhance the firming and brightening effects of exfoliation. A powerful serum will also help hydrate and moisturize the skin.

Ovulation Phase (Days 12 to 16)

Leading up to ovulation, rising estrogen levels give your skin a radiant, glowing appearance. The increase in estrogen triggers the pituitary gland to release luteinizing hormone, prompting the ovary to release an egg. If the egg isn't fertilized during this phase, it will eventually disintegrate.

💡 Skin care tips 💡

• While your skin may look its best during ovulation, it can also become oilier, leading to potential breakouts. To keep your complexion clear, cleanse your skin regularly and avoid heavy products that can clog your pores.

Luteal Phase (Days 17 to 28)

During this phase, progesterone levels rise to prepare the uterine lining for potential pregnancy. This increase in progesterone can stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce more oil, often leading to acne breakouts right before your period.

💡 Skin care tips 💡

• Make sure to cleanse your face regularly, and consider using a cleanser with salicylic acid if you notice pimples appearing. Salicylic acid helps reduce redness and inflammation and speeds up the healing process. You can also use a clay mask to remove impurities and refine your pores.

It is also worth noting that not all types of acne are related to your hormones or menstrual cycle. Acne affects both males and females, as well as teens and adults. There are also a few other factors that may trigger or worsen acne, including diet, genetics, certain medications, and stress.

💡 Here are a few things that can help 💡

• Avoid touching your face or squeezing and picking your pimples. Doing so can only push the pus or bacteria deeper into your skin, leading to more inflammation, dark spots, and scarring.
• Don’t over wash your face even if you have oily or greasy skin.
• Mind your diet and limit your consumption of foods that are high in sugars, fats, and simple carbohydrates. You can also consider cutting dairy if it triggers or worsens your acne.
• When using acne medication, or products be patient and consistent. It can take about six to eight weeks for your medication , products to work.
• Change or wash your pillowcases at least once a week. The same also goes for other materials or surfaces that come into contact with your skin regularly like sheets or hats.
• Seek help from a skin specialist . They can recommend products or supplements that can help with your concerns. You can also consider facial and treatments to tackle other acne-related concerns. At ILDI PEKAR we have several treatments that can help with acne and associated symptoms.

By tailoring skincare to the menstrual cycle, you can better support your skin’s health and resilience.

I hope this helps anyone struggling with acne! If you have any questions or suggestions for future blog topics, please let me know. Each month, I try to write about issues that many of you are asking about or facing. 

XOXO, Ildi