Have you ever noticed that blemishes or sensitive skin always appear at a certain time of the month? This could be due to the hormonal fluctuations during your menstrual cycle, which also affect your skin. In this article, you'll learn which skin conditions you can expect during each phase—and how you can give your skin exactly what it needs.
The female cycle
The female cycle typically lasts 28 days, beginning with the first day of the period. During this cycle, hormone levels fluctuate and change, affecting not only our well-being and mood, but also our skin.
But it's not just the menstrual cycle that disrupts hormonal balance; the same applies to puberty , pregnancy , and menopause . Whenever the body undergoes hormonal changes, the skin often becomes unbalanced. In this blog post, we'll focus on the female cycle. Are you interested in more articles on the topic of pregnancy or menopause? Let us know in the comments!
Why do skin problems occur during the cycle?
Hormonal fluctuations during the cycle affect the sebaceous glands, hydration, and blood circulation. When sebum production is boosted, pores become more easily clogged, which in turn can lead to pimples. This phenomenon occurs in many women around 7-10 days before and during menstruation. Understanding when and why blemished and oily skin occurs allows you to better prepare – and care for it accordingly.
Excursus: Hormonal contraceptive methods
When using hormonal contraception, the hormones contained in the contraceptive prevent a "natural" menstrual period. Hormone levels are artificially kept stable, so the skin also experiences fewer fluctuations. Therefore, blemishes before menstruation are less common.
Women who have recently stopped taking the contraceptive pill report particularly impure, oily skin. This is because their hormones are out of balance and need to adjust. This process can last from a few weeks to over a year. Those who are most likely to suffer from impure skin after stopping the pill are those who were already prone to spots before taking it. Taking the pill has therefore only suppressed this skin condition. After stopping the pill, the problem returns. During the adjustment phase, it is recommended to pay attention to a healthy diet, use particularly gentle skin care products, and try as few new products as possible. Give your skin time to regain balance and support it with a gentle—but effective—facial cleanser and plenty of moisture.
The menstrual cycle is divided into four phases
Every woman's cycle is unique and can last for different lengths, and the same applies to the phases mentioned here. So, consider these numbers more as a guideline.
Day 1 - 7: Menstrual phase
During this phase, the female sex hormones progesterone and estrogen decline. These are involved in regulating the menstrual cycle and also play an important role during pregnancy. The drop in hormones causes us to feel tired and listless . Pimples that developed during the previous phase usually appear on the face, but new pimples rarely appear during menstruation. The low progesterone tends to reduce oil production, making the skin look dull and dry . The decreasing estrogen also causes the skin's barrier function to deteriorate, making redness and dryness more likely.
What does your skin need in this phase: Give your skin plenty of moisture, e.g. with a moisturizing serum (e.g. hyaluronic serum) and a rich care cream (e.g. vitamin C cream).
Days 8-13: Follicular phase
During this phase, estrogen increases, which is incredibly beneficial for our skin: The skin's texture becomes more even, collagen and elastin production is stimulated, and the skin barrier is strengthened. The skin glows fresh and rosy.
What your skin needs during this phase: Your skin is in good health. Treat it to a light, antioxidant-rich moisturizer that strengthens the skin barrier and protects against harmful environmental influences (e.g., the Vitamin C Serum and the Vitamin C Cream).
Day 14-20: Ovulation phase – ovulation
During this phase, estrogen levels are at their highest. We feel active, confident, and full of energy. Our skin is plump and firm, with a wonderful glow!
This is what your skin needs: Since your skin is balanced, it's less about fixing problems and more about providing the skin with the best possible moisture and nutrients. This keeps it plump and rosy for longer. An antioxidant-rich skincare product that protects your skin from premature aging and harmful environmental influences is ideal for this (e.g., the DAYTOX Hyaluronic Acid Serum, followed by the DAYTOX Daily Hydration Face Cream).
Days 21-28: Luteal phase
During the luteal phase, testosterone levels rise. We feel exhausted and often suffer from mood swings. Likewise, the hormone progesterone rises, which stimulates oil production in the skin and weakens the skin barrier. The result: an oily shine, clogged pores, and a higher likelihood of pimples and blemishes.
What your skin needs now: It's time to regulate and balance oil production. A clarifying healing clay mask like the DAYTOX Clay Mask is ideal for this. The healing clay soothes the skin and restores balance to sebum production. The DAYTOX Clear Skin Serum with 2% salicylic acid clears the pores of excess sebum, preventing the formation of pimples. A light day cream like the DAYTOX Daily Hydration completes your skincare routine and protects the skin from external environmental influences.
Now that you know when each phase begins, you can use this knowledge to adjust your skincare routine accordingly. For example, on the first day of your period, you can count forward 19 days (beginning of the luteal phase) and mark that day on your calendar. This way, you know you can start regulating your skin's oil production by incorporating healing clay and salicylic acid into your skincare routine. The Clay Mask and Clear Skin Serum, for example, are ideal. This way, you can prevent new blemishes from occurring and mitigate the effects of your hormonal fluctuations.
Note: Do you suffer from severe hormonal acne or significant hormonal-related skin fluctuations? Then consult your dermatologist, who is best placed to determine the cause of the severe fluctuations. Your gynecologist may also be able to help by adjusting your hormonal contraceptive method.
