Do you ever feel like your skin looks glowy and radiant one week and starts breaking out the next? Don’t worry, you are not imagining it, and you are certainly not alone! In those who menstruate, hormonal fluctuations throughout your cycle are completely normal, as your hormonal cycle affects your skin and its behaviour in many ways. By learning to understand these changes, you can care for your skin more effectively and choose the right support at the right time.
How Your Hormonal Cycle Affects Your Skin – Breaking Down Your Cycle
Your Period (Days 1–7)
At the start of your cycle, both oestrogen and progesterone levels are at their lowest. Because of this, your skin may feel dry, look dull, or become more sensitive than usual. If breakouts appear before your period starts, they are probably still visible and inflamed.
How to support your skin:
Focus on hydration and soothing ingredients. Avoid harsh products and instead prioritise rest, water intake, and iron-rich foods to support energy levels and skin health. During this time, I often don’t recommend treatments as your skin is probably already irritated. If you generally find that you struggle with dryness and are wondering if any in-clinic treatments can help, injectable skin boosters like Profhilo can help with skin hydration over time, therefore supporting your skin even when you go through dry periods.
Similarly, Polynucleotides, a more long-term anti-inflammatory treatment, can regenerate and help improve acne scars in their appearance.
After Your Period: The Follicular Phase (Days 6–14)
This is often the most balanced time for your skin. Oestrogen levels begin to rise, stimulating collagen production and improving elasticity and clarity. Many people notice a brighter, smoother complexion during this phase!
How to support your skin:
This is the best time to try new products, as your skin tends to be more resilient, but avoid overwhelming your skin with too many actives at once. Test things one product at a time. Because your skin tends to be more resilient at this time, if you’re looking to have a dermal filler treatment or treatments such as Microneedling, this is the best time to do it!
Ovulation (Around Day 14)
Oestrogen peaks, and testosterone begins to rise. For many people, the skin continues to look its best. However, increased oil production may start to appear, especially in acne-prone areas like the T-zone. (The T zone area is made up of your forehead, nose and chin).
How to support your skin:
Help maintain your skin’s balance with a gentle, consistent routine. Cleanse thoroughly but avoid over-cleansing. Consider using a light toner or oil-control product if needed.
Before Your Period: The Luteal Phase (Days 15–28)
Progesterone increases while oestrogen declines. Combined with the continued presence of testosterone, this can lead to oilier skin, clogged pores, and deeper hormonal breakouts, especially around the chin and jawline and T-zone.
How to support your skin:
Aim to focus on clarity and prevention. Consider incorporating salicylic acid or other breakout-targeting ingredients back into your routine – a salicylic acid face wash is more tolerated during this time. Stick to non-comedogenic products and avoid trying anything new. Resist the urge to pick or over-treat blemishes, as this can worsen inflammation or even lead to scarring or stubborn post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. If repeated breakouts have resulted in hyperpigmentation, dullness or congestion, then it could be worth considering incorporating a chemical peel at some point to help brighten and de-congest your skin.
Helpful Daily Habits
Track your cycle and symptoms
Use a cycle tracking app to log skin changes and identify patterns. This can help you stay ahead of flare-ups and tailor your routine to each phase of your cycle. Apps like Flo let you add your symptoms on specific days, which can help you become even more in tune with how your body and skin feel and behave at different points within your cycle, allowing you to understand and support your body better.
Prioritise hydration, nutrition and sleep
Hormones don’t act in isolation. Make sure to keep well hydrated, eat a nutrient-rich diet, and get enough rest to help maintain hormone balance and support healthier skin. Keep yourself very well hydrated throughout the day – especially if you’ve been very active, in hot weather, consumed alcohol or salty food, as these things can dehydrate you further. Aiming for at least eight hours of sleep each night can also help boost mood, recovery and overall wellness.
Manage stress levels
Stress can increase cortisol levels, which in turn can contribute to breakouts and inflammation. Support your emotional well-being with rest and gentle movement like yoga or pilates.
Our skin is the largest organ of our body and often reflects on the outside, what is happening on the inside. While you cannot control every hormonal change, you can support your skin with thoughtful, consistent care and give it what it needs throughout each phase of your cycle. Don’t be too hard on yourself, your skin is allowed to have off days, as are you!
To discuss your skin needs book a consultation today.
