Let’s face it, the days leading to a period are a nightmare—hormones are out of balance, tiredness sets in, and in the middle of this mess, your face decides to break out. It’s a lot to handle but the good news is that it follows the cycle your menstruation does which makes it predictable, ergo, easy to manage. All you need is an optimum skin care during your periods that matches the ups and downs of your hormones—aka cycle syncing skin care.
Let’s understand this phase by phase:
Luteal Phase
Let’s start with the worst of the lot. The Luteal Phase refers to the days right before your period announces itself. Your body is preparing itself for the egg which means your progesterone levels are on the rise and with them, the oil on your face. This is the point at which you start feeling it all at once—clogged pores, breakout and sensitivity.
Skincare during the luteal phase
Alright, we’re on all control duty. Stick to products with non-comedogenic ingredients that will prevent your face from becoming a grease pool. Also add in a niacinamide serum that helps balance the production of oil. Additionally, this would be the phase for you to exfoliate well with a chemical or physical exfoliator that cleans up any dirt or excess oil from all the way in your pores.
Menstruation
We’re all familiar with this stage. When your body is shedding the uterine lining and you are low on energy. Your skin is probably feeling the same as you—dull, dry and tired. This is because of the drop in the oestrogen and progesterone levels.
Skincare during menstruation
Skincare during this period needs to focus on rehydrating and livening up your dull skin. This means moisturising till no tomorrow. You can up your moisturiser game with thick creams and sheet masks that hydrate your skin completely. Also add in an overnight sleeping mask if you don’t have the time to try on a sheet mask in the day.
Consider products with salicylic acid that helps to control the oil production and also exfoliates the dull, dead skins off your face for a brightened look.
Follicular Phase
We’ve reached the top of the world as the oestrogen levels of the body increase and with it, increases collagen production. Your skin is feeling the best it has in a month and there’s a gorgeous glow that matches your happiness now that menstruation has stopped.
Skincare during the follicular phase
Now’s the time that your skin can handle all the experimentations you wanted to try but couldn’t because of oils and breakouts. Try out new products and techniques while this phase lasts to see what you might want to add to your skincare routine.
This is also when your skin can handle the most so incorporate active ingredients into your skincare during this period and add some AHA BHA exfoliates to promote healthy skin cells.
Ovulatory Phase
Well, it was all good while it lasted and the same thing can be said for your skin’s cycle in this phase. Now the body is increasing the production of luteinising hormones and heading back to the luteal phase. Your oestrogen and progesterone are also at an all-time high. Your skin too will probably feel the change by producing much more oil than you’d like.
Skincare during the ovulatory phase
This is the period in which a deep exfoliation is your best friend. Add a purifying face mask to your routine or AHA/BHA cleanser that will clean out the dirt and excess oil from your pores and also balance the oil production on your skin. You can also choose a lightweight or gel-based moisturiser so your skin is not weighed down by heavy creams.
When it comes to cycle syncing skin care in this phase, it’s important to consider the most lightweight, oil-free products you can find.
Now, it is important to note that while many can benefit from planning skincare during periods, especially those with hormonal acne, this cycle syncing skin care may not be for everyone. For example, people who have chronic acne might be better off with a steady routine recommended by a dermatologist.
Final thoughts
By aligning your routine with your menstrual cycle, you can better manage those pesky breakouts, dryness, and oiliness that come with hormonal changes. With a bit of patience and the right products, you’ll find a rhythm that keeps your skin looking and feeling its best, no matter where you are in your cycle. So, stay tuned to your skin’s signals and make every phase a great one!
