How to Support Your Skin Throughout Your Monthly Cycle

If you have a monthly cycle, you’re probably familiar with the ups and downs of constant hormonal changes. (Hello, sudden cravings for both chocolate and jalapeno chips! Hello, random giant zit! Goodbye, emotional regulation!) But even if you know which yoga poses help the best with cramps or what ice cream flavor you always crave, it can be difficult to know how to address hormone-related changes in skin. Here are our tips for taking care of your skin at every phase of your monthly cycle–plus how to strategically schedule your favorite MedSpa treatments around your cycle, too.

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Menstruation

When your period starts, both estrogen and progesterone are at low levels. This means that your skin can feel drier than normal during this period. Additionally, it can be extra sensitive. Here are some tips for managing this time of your cycle:

• Use a richer moisturizer if needed, or a facial oil
• Try to avoid getting Botox, fillers, microneedling, or related, minimally invasive treatments on your period, as skin sensitivity can be worse. (Upkeep’s content writer speaking: I’ve had Botox and filler done during my period and it’s manageable, but it *does* hurt more). 
• If your skin looks dull, perk it up with some hyaluronic acid. 

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Follicular

During the next phase of your cycle, estrogen starts to increase, which typically makes your skin look better. In fact, this is usually when your skin looks its best–a nice reward after dealing with your period. It’s a pretty easy time for skin maintenance. During this time, just keep up with your usual routine. 

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• Our big tip for this time of your cycle: Don’t skimp on exfoliation, because changes in later phases can make your skin more prone to breakouts, and keeping the skin clear of dead cells can help with that. Now is also a good time for those MedSpa treatments you might have avoided during your period, like injectables, microneedling, Morpheus8, and chemical peels. 

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Ovulation

This is the part of your cycle where estrogen is at its highest point, which typically keeps your skin looking great. However, once estrogen peaks, it levels off while testosterone and progesterone start to go up. For this reason, some of us can get ovulation-related breakouts, including those sore, under-the-skin cysts around the jawline or chin. You may also notice your skin getting oilier at this time. Here’s what to do: 

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• Whether it’s Differin, retinol, or benzoyl peroxide, have a spot treatment handy in case you get breakouts.
• Use salicylic acid or AHA products to keep your pores from getting clogged.
• Give the face oil a break and use a lighter moisturizer if your skin feels oily.
• Still generally a good time for MedSpa treatments.

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Luteal

This phase, before your period starts, is where your progesterone levels are at their highest. Then progesterone and estrogen levels decline, which is what helps trigger your period. This is also the time of the famous PMS symptoms we’ve probably all experienced at one time or another. Your skin is likely to need more support in this stage than any other, because all of these dramatic hormonal changes result in more sebum (oil) production and increased inflammation. 

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• Differin, retinol, or benzoyl peroxide are your besties during this time to stay on top of those hormonal breakouts.
• Reach for a niacinamide product to help regulate oil production.
• Be vigilant about cleansing. 
• Keep using your AHA or BHA products. 
• If your skin is out of control oily, apply a clay mask to help absorb the excess. 
• Now is a great time for a Hydrafacial. This gentle facial combines proprietary technology to painlessly extract, exfoliate, and hydrate your skin. For us it’s a must when our skin looks or feels dull, clogged, or extra oily. You can book it in seconds on the Upkeep app for the perfect pick-me-up we all tend to need when our hormones give us a hard time. Plus it’s suitable for basically all skin types and concerns. 

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