Skin and Hormones: How Your Cycle Can Influence Your Skincare
From mood swings and cramps, to energy bursts and cravings, we know our bodies change throughout our cycles and our skin is no exception. Depending on the time of the month, you might experience oily skin, dry skin, breakouts or a natural glow. Read on to discover the link between skin and hormones and how you can optimize your skincare regime to work with your body’s natural changes.
From dry period skin to smooth ovulation skin
You know your body better than anyone, so you’ve probably already noticed if there are changes to your skin during the different phases of your menstrual cycle. Of course, every woman is different and will have a different experience. However, we want to take the time to highlight the hormones which can influence your skin, so you can learn about your body and – if you feel like it – tailor your skincare routine to match your unique cycle.
Period skincare
Your cycle starts at the beginning of your period. At this point, skin tends to be dry, as levels of both of the sex hormones, progesterone and estrogen, are low. This is a good time for self-care, use gentle products on the skin and creamier moisturizers will help plump and rehydrate dry skin.
Skin is stronger after your period
As your period ends, your body starts producing estrogen again. This plumps the skin and promotes collagen production, making skin appear strong and healthy. We’re usually less sensitive to pain during this stage in our cycle, so it’s a good time to carry out hair removal if it’s part of your routine.
Glowing ovulation skin
You may feel on top form during the fertile window. As well as feeling great, your skin is likely to appear stronger and healthier as collagen levels remain high. While some women may glow, others may get some pimples at this point as skin is prone to become a little oilier. Enjoy the natural glow, and keep your face cleansed to avoid early breakouts.
Hormones and oily skin
After ovulation, your body starts to produce the hormone progesterone. This causes a few changes to happen, including a rise in basal body temperature. Progesterone also causes the production of sebum, a thick oily substance that acts as a natural skin lubricant. This can cause our pores to clog and makes us more prone to breakouts during the luteal phase. Cleanse regularly and soak up any excess oil on the skin with your favorite face mask.
PMS: skin is puffy
Retaining water in the lead up to your period is fairly common. For many of us, our skin looks puffier during this time. The cravings that come with PMS can also mean we tend to indulge in less healthy options, which in turn can have an impact on our complexion. Be kind to yourself and drink plenty of water during this time to help keep skin clear.
Natural Cycles, skin and hormones
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about period skincare, the link between skin and hormones and how you can look after your skin during the different phases of your menstrual cycle. Keeping track of the changes in your body is just one part of using Natural Cycles. As well as teaching us about our unique cycle, the app can also be used as a hormone-free birth control option or to plan a pregnancy.
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Written By
Jennifer Gray
Jennifer Gray is an award-winning writer with more than five years’ experience covering reproductive topics ranging from birth control to planning pregnancy. She is passionate about providing women with accurate information grounded in science they can use to take charge of their own health - while also dispelling myths that exist within the field of women’s health. She holds a Master of Science from the University of Edinburgh and currently lives in Ireland.
