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Acne during ovulation? Why it happens & how to fix it

Freya Eriksson headshot

Written by Freya Eriksson

Freya Eriksson

With more than three years of experience in the field, Freya Eriksson specializes in writing about the latest research into fertility and reproductive health. She is passionate about shining a light on under-researched topics such as contraception and planning pregnancy. Freya holds a Master's degree in Linguistics and lives in Stockholm, Sweden.

Fact checked by Dr. Eleonora Benhar PhD, VP of Science

Dr. Eleonora Benhar PhD

As VP of Science and Data at Natural Cycles, Eleonora Benhar leads a team researching women’s health and developing algorithms. Transitioning from physics to fertility, she completed her PhD in particle physics at the University of Geneva while at CERN, and later joined Natural Cycles after working as a postdoctoral researcher at Yale University.

Key takeaways

  • Acne is often a result of hormonal changes, and ovulation can cause acne due to the hormonal shifts that happen at that time in the menstrual cycle.
  • Treatment options include hormonal treatments, retinoids, and natural treatments like tea tree oil and alpha-hydroxy acids.
  • You can adjust your skincare routine according to your menstrual cycle to help support your skin’s changing needs.

Have you ever wondered why your skin flares up at a certain time of the month? It turns out that acne is closely linked with hormonal changes. Shifts in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle can cause acne breakouts during ovulation or around our period. In this article, we’ll cover what role our hormones play when it comes to acne, we’ll look at some medical and natural treatment options, and cover some tips on how to take care of your skin during your menstrual cycle.

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