Do you experience breakouts during your menstrual cycle? Here’s how to prevent, and treat, ‘period skin’ for a clear complexion all month long. Anyone who menstruates will confirm that ‘period skin’ is a thing! This is because of all the hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle. They can affect everything, from your mood, your appetite, and your complexion. In the days preceding a menstrual cycle, people can experience a wide range of symptoms, collectively known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). These can include bloating, cramps, and more zits than usual. These blemishes are a result of fluctuating hormones and your oil glands going into overdrive and producing more than usual, starting around two weeks before menstruation starts.

Clean and clear

Fortunately, there are ways to keep ‘period skin’ at bay or treat spots as they appear. These include:
  1. Washing your face with a gentle cleanser twice a day that contains salicylic acid. But don’t overdo it or you could disrupt your skin barrier.
  2. Limiting touching your face. This can transfer more bacteria onto your skin which, combined with excess oil, can lead to breakouts.
  3. Using skincare ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide and retinoids which exfoliate and increase skin cell turnover for an improved complexion.
  4. Switching to oil-free moisturizers and lotions during your menstrual cycle. This keeps skin supple while preventing blocked pores.
  5. Keeping your hair, makeup brushes, sponges and bed linen clean as this can also aggravate inflamed, angry skin.
It should be noted, however, that topical treatment alone sometimes isn’t enough to treat ‘period skin’. In severe cases of hormonal acne, oral medication might also be necessary.

Feeling sensitive?

Skin can also become more sensitive during your menstrual. Treat inflamed skin by not going overboard with harsh ingredients. Also, combine stronger ones with soothing ones, such as aloe vera, chamomile, and barrier-restoring ceramides.

Your menstrual cycle skin solution

Struggling with stubborn hormonal acne? Click here to schedule an appointment with one of our dermatologists today to start your journey to happy, healthy skin.