How to track hormonal skin changes and treat your skin according to your monthly cycle
Menstrual phase: days 1-6
This is the beginning of your cycle. All your hormones drop. Your skin will be more sensitive due to a drop in oestrogen, your skin barrier (protective layer) function will be compromised, and increased prostaglandins causes skin inflammation. Due to low progesterone and testosterone production your skin will produce less oil and will feel dry and dull. This can make lines and wrinkles appear more prominent.
My advice: Use a gentle moisturiser or a serum that contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides that will boost moisture levels in the skin and maintain the quality of the skin barrier. Using my calming and repairing organic face oil at night will give your skin some TLC and help with the dryness!
Double cleansing is a must to prevent skin infection. To avoid irritation use a gentle balm or cleansing oil.
Using a rich and repairing moisturiser during the day can soothe irritation and dryness. This moisturiser is perfect. I use it on clients after needling!
Even on a cloudy day, wear your SPF to prevent UV damage. During your menstrual phase, stay away from harsh granular exfoliants. Use a sheet mask with hyaluronic acid, B5 and zinc to heal and strengthen the skin's resilience.
Avoid painful procedures such as microneedling, laser and waxing while your skin is more sensitive.
Your immune system can be weaker during this period, so be gentle to yourself. Stay hydrated, and support your immune system with immune boosting supplements. I know you probably crave sugar during this time, but try to stay away from processed high sugar foods.
Follicular phase: days 1-14
Your skin rebalances itself during this time of your cycle, so your skin quality will improve and skin will feel less irritated. Your skin will feel calmer and more hydrated and plump due to an increase in your oestrogen, which stimulates your collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid production. Your cell turnover increases and oil production is more balanced, so your skin will feel less dry.
Continue with your double cleansing and introduce a gentle enzyme exfoliant that will gently remove dead skin cells to reveal radiant skin and enhance skin texture.
Now is the time to introduce a vitamin C serum to prevent oxidative stress and preserve radiance in the skin during this phase. Hyaluronic serums lock in moisture and gives the skin its plumpness and youthful texture.
Your skin is less reactive in this phase, making this a good time to introduce new products into your skincare regime or undergo more invasive skin treatments like microneedling and deeper peels.
Ovulation phase: days 14-16
Hello radiant skin! Just before ovulation your skin looks absolutely sensational! During the ovulation phase your skin is at its peak due to your high levels of estrogen. This is when your skin's moisture levels are high, your pores look smaller and collagen production is in full swing.
Now is a good time to prepare your skin for the inflammatory luteal phase, using exfoliating and deep cleansing ingredients in your regime. It is also a great time to use retinol and AHAs to help improve texture and minimize fine lines and wrinkles. Using a gentle AHA like lactic acid during this time will hydrate, unclog pores and prevent breakouts. CLR lotion contains lactic acid and is a great choice to use as a moisturizer once a day.
Luteal phase: days 15-30
After ovulation your progesterone starts to rise and your skin produces more oil. Pores look small and skin looks radiant but it also means that your skin will be more prone to breakouts due to the oil getting trapped inside the pores. Your skin is also more inflamed during this period. Skin might look more red and blotchy and feel more sensitive.
We need to prevent acne flare ups by using calming ingredients such as chamomile, aloe vera, niacinamide and lactic acid or salicylic acid. Double cleansing with a gentle cleansing balm or cleansing oil to unclog pores is vital. This might sound strange to use an oil cleanser, but oil dissolves oil so you will achieve a much deeper cleanse.
I recommend a light moisturizer like CLR lotion which contains salicylic acid and niacinamide. These ingredients balance oil and prevent pore clogging while hydrating skin.
Now is a good time to have a facial to unclog, deeply cleanse, and calm and prevent acne breakouts. Using an LED light will help target and eliminate acne-causing bacteria, reduce inflammation and accelerate healing for overall skin health.
Every client is unique, everyone has different skincare needs. These different phases are great to take into consideration when tailoring your routine, but having a professional skincare consultation where diet, health and lifestyle are taken into account is just as important.
Working with my clients, I believe in a bespoke approach to tailor their treatment plan for the optimal outcome. Let's have a call!