Your Skin & Your Cycle

Let’s talk about the skin– did you know that it changes based on the phase of cycle you’re in? Shifts in oil production, collagen support and overall hydration of our outer layer can create the perfect situation for that desirable glow or a painful breakout. Thankfully, if you know what phase of your cycle you’re in, you can target skin care ingredients during hormonal changes for the best results.

What does a full menstrual cycle look like?

During the menstrual phase, or your period, low estrogen levels can make skin dry, sensitive and tired-looking. This is typically when we’re feeling our lowest as well with poor energy. Prostaglandins can inflame the skin, leaving angry breakouts that are sometimes cystic and painful in nature. To help the skin heal and stay calm, avoiding exfoliating and harsh treatments. Focus on hydrating and nourishing products for these few days! I love using the Blume Whirl moisturizer – it has a delicate coconutty scent that isn’t overpowering, and is chock-full of antioxidants designed to soothe the skin. I pair it with the Blume Meltdown Oil for even better acne control and overall skin protection.

Through the follicular phase, estrogen levels begin to rise, supporting a boost in collagen and brightness. Our skin is putting down more tissue and we want to help this process happen! Promoting skin elasticity and growth with a vitamin C serum, and a retinol-based night moisturizer creates strong structure. Now is the time to try new products because your skin is at its most responsive. I’m obsessed with the Cerave Vitamin C serum, paired with the Olay Retinol24 Night moisturizer. They work together to resurface the skin, hydrate and promote skin health. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen with retinol and vitamin C use – the skin becomes more prone to burning, and we want the glow to come from healthy tissue, not burned and tight skin!

Moving in the ovulatory phase, estrogen and testosterone levels peak – you’re glowing! Now is a good time to plan for a facial to deep clean pores and prevent build-up in the next phase. Using hydrating products with a hit of caffeine maximizes this phase before oil build-up creates inflammation. During this phase I love treating myself to the LUSH Cup-O-Coffee face and body scrub – it has the most amazing coffee scent and the perfect amount of scrub to give my face the zap of energy it deserves! Some people may notice breakouts during the ovulatory phase as well, mostly related to the boost in testosterone development – avoiding overly caustic or gritty products can prevent micro-tears and burns that leave your skin sensitive. Stick to tea-tree oil based spot treatments and leave the harsh scrubs behind!

And finally, in the luteal phase, rising testosterone increases oil production, and progesterone peaks create skin swelling and tightened pores – trapping in oil and bacteria. Cystic pimples may crop up around the chin and jaw, ouch! Keeping it simple and soothing is critical here, with gentle cleansers and anti-inflammatory spot treatments. Cooling clay masks and niacinamide balance oil production to minimize breakouts typical to this phase. I obsessively use the Yes to Tomatoes Charcoal mask in the daytime, and its matching witch hazel and activated charcoal spot treatment for the really nasty ones. I like to base my nighttime routine with The Body Shop’s tea tree overnight mask, and add my spots on top once it’s dry. This gives a touch of hydration while fighting off bacteria and inflammation.

If you really struggle with your skin, despite syncing up your skincare, it’s important to check in with a pro – talk to a dermatologist about other topical and/or oral options to manage skin health. And don’t forget to consider things like product and food sensitivities that may be hijacking your skin! Working with a dietitian is key to find the best food and wellness routine for you – food sensitivity blood tests aren’t 100% accurate, and testing with elimination diets is best completed with support.

If you have skin care favourites, share them with me! I love hearing about new products – send your recommendations to [email protected].