Being a woman is an extreme sport because of one thing- our cycle. Some days are okay, and most days are terrible, and it’s crazy how your menstrual cycle affects your skin.
Throughout your cycle, your hormones are raging. For some, breakouts may be more frequent on certain days, and others might only be during their periods. This is the right place to discover when and why your experience may change during your cycle. When you have your next cycle, you will know what treatment to use to ensure your skin doesn’t suffer too much from hormonal changes.
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How your menstrual cycle affects your skin
The average menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days, but this may differ from person to person. There are three phases your body transitions through and two main hormones that fluctuate throughout your cycle. These hormones are estrogen and progesterone.
Cycle phase 1: Menstrual phase
This phase typically lasts anywhere from five to seven days.
Estrogen is at its lowest, and this causes your skin barrier to become weaker and significantly reduces your skin hydration. On the other hand, progesterone is also at its lowest, reducing your skin’s oil gland activity which means less oil is produced by the skin.
These changes result in dehydrated skin. Your skin will also appear dull, and fine lines and wrinkles may become more apparent. Some people may start to notice contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis, and those with psoriasis may have an aggravation of symptoms.
This is the time to focus on hydration and moisturization more than ever because your skin will need the extra boost. Avoid using too many actives (AHAs, BHAs, retinoids) during this phase to reduce the chances of further dehydrating and damaging your skin’s barrier.
Ingredients to use in this phase
During this phase, nourishing and replenishing products will be your best friend, so look out for these ingredients:
- Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid can help to hydrate the skin and improve its texture, leaving it looking smoother, more supple, and youthful. It can also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improve the skin’s elasticity and firmness.
- Centella: Centella can help to soothe and calm irritated or inflamed skin.
- Glycerin: It can help improve the skin’s elasticity, leaving it plump and youthful. In addition, glycerin can help to improve the skin’s barrier function, helping to protect it from environmental stressors that can cause dryness, irritation, and premature aging.
- Ceramides and peptides: When used together, ceramides and peptides can work synergistically to nourish and replenish the skin. Ceramides can help to improve the skin’s hydration and barrier function. In contrast, peptides can help to stimulate collagen production, improving the skin’s elasticity and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Cycle phase 2: Follicular phase and ovulation
This phase is the longest in your menstrual cycle, and it lasts anywhere from 11 to 27 days and starts from the first day of your period to when you ovulate.
During this phase, estrogen levels increase, improving skin hydration and boosting collagen and hyaluronic acid production. As your progesterone levels are still low and your skin’s oil gland activity is low, your skin produces less oil. Estrogen is known to increase collagen production, which can help keep the skin looking plump and youthful. It can also improve skin hydration and thickness, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
It is the ideal time for your skin since it has high moisture-retaining properties and produces less oil, making it look more plump, radiant, and calm. Your skin is usually at its peak during ovulation because of this.
Since your skin isn’t too problematic during this phase, you can incorporate your favorite actives and retinoids. You will have the most gorgeous skin ever and wish it would last forever. Almost any skincare product would be safe during this time because you will have no particular concerns to address and no ingredients to be cautious of.
Cycle phase 3: Luteal phase
This is the menstrual cycle’s final phase, lasting 10 to 14 days.
At the beginning of this phase, estrogen levels are still high, and the skin retains its hydration properties and collagen and hyaluronic acid production. Progesterone levels slowly start to rise, and because of increased oil gland activity, your skin will produce more oil. Progesterone can cause the skin to retain water, leading to swelling and bloating. This can make the skin appear puffy, particularly around the eyes.
Many women experience mild acne and greasy hair during this time. You should focus on controlling your skin’s oil production during this time. This way, you reduce the chances of you breaking out like crazy.
Towards the end of this phase, estrogen slowly starts to decrease. Here is where things get complicated. Your skin’s barrier becomes weaker and more permeable, making it more sensitive. Eczema flare-ups can occur during this time, and your skin can be extremely sensitive to irritation.
The progesterone levels also begin to decrease, which in turn decreases the activity of the oil glands, so less oil is produced.
If there is a time when you should avoid your active ingredients the most, it would be now because your skin is extremely sensitive. Choose soothing and hydrating ingredients that will not irritate and over-sensitize your fragile skin.
Testosterone is another hormone that increases during this phase, the male sex hormone. This hormone also causes your skin to produce even more sebum, which increases your chances of breaking out even more.
Other skin changes associated with how your menstrual cycle affects your skin
Many skin changes can occur during your menstrual cycle, which is less common than the abovementioned changes. Some of these changes include:
- Skin rashes occur when estrogen levels drop too low, and your skin becomes more itchy and sensitive. You have an increased sensitivity to the typical soaps and lotions you use. When you scratch your skin during this time, it causes rashes.
- Skin discoloration: It can come in the form of melasma. During the luteal phase, when testosterone levels rise, your skin becomes more sensitive to the sun’s UV rays. This, in turn, makes your skin produce more melanin than usual and causes hyperpigmentation.
And finally
The fluctuating hormones in your body during your menstrual cycle make you have many skin types throughout the month. Listening to your body and using the right products at the right time during your cycle is critical to avoid sensitizing your skin.
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