Your cycle starts at the beginning of your period. At this point, skin tends to be dry, as levels of both of the sex hormones, progesterone and estrogen, are low. This is a good time for self-care, use gentle products on the skin and creamier moisturizers will help plump and rehydrate dry skin.
Hydrate your skin
During our menstruation cycle, our skin might become dry. Honey is known for reducing acne symptoms but also for moisturising, acting as a natural antibacterial, and giving your skin a healthy glow. After washing your face, use a toner and a DIY moisturising mask comprised of cucumber and aloe vera.
Things you should avoid
“Consumption of excess salt causes water retention that leads to bloating during your period,” said Dr Patil. In fact, also avoid spicy food since it can upset your stomach and cause acid refluxes. “Avoid drinks like coffee, energy drinks etc as they can cause headaches and constipation.
What happens to your skin. As estrogen levels rise, you may notice a glow by the ninth day of the menstrual cycle. Between the tenth and thirteenth day of the menstrual cycle, estrogen will peak. This is also when testosterone levels will begin to rise.
For the week of your period and the week after, she suggests using a retinol treatment at night and vitamin C in the day: the former to “help heal and reduce any scarring that you might have from breakouts you've had in the week before”, the latter “because it's really brightening.
As a nighttime skincare routine during the menstrual cycle a retinol based regimen is suggested to ensure that there no marks remain on the skin after the cycle.
Wash your face twice a day using a gentle nonsoap cleanser, like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. Use glycolic acid pads to remove dead skin cells, reduce inflammation, and promote the growth of new skin. Use an OTC benzoyl peroxide spot treatment beginning with a lower strength, like 2.5 percent.
People believe that period blood nourishes their skin, clears acne, and benefits the skin in a lot of ways. But this is not true and has no scientific evidence,” Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, a dermatologist, said on Instagram.
You may have some pimples due to the hormonal changes you experienced in the week leading up to your period. Fortunately, once you start your period, your progesterone levels go down, which means your skin should start to clear up, according to Garshick.
Skin is stronger after your period
As your period ends, your body starts producing estrogen again. This plumps the skin and promotes collagen production, making skin appear strong and healthy.
If your hormone levels aren't balanced, your body can make the lining too thick, which leads to heavy bleeding when you shed the thicker lining. If you don't ovulate (release an egg from an ovary), this can throw off the hormone balance in your body, too, leading to a thicker lining and a heavier period.
A good warm shower, however, definitely helps with period cramps and helps you relax during menstruation. And it is perfectly safe to wash your hair on any day during your period cycle. Through 'Debunking Myths', we acknowledge period myths and expose them with verified facts.
Eating water-rich foods such as cucumbers, watermelon, etc. ensures your body stays hydrated. Fish is rich in iron, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, etc. Eating all of these nutrients helps reduce menstrual pain.
Uneven skin tone is another common skin problem during the period. This can be caused by hormonal fluctuations and a decrease in sebum, but also in collagen production. The best way to combat uneven skin tone is to use a serum that contains vitamin C or niacinamide.
Your skin might turn dull and lifeless during this time, to get back your glowing skin, use a mild skin exfoliator. You can use a readily available facial scrub or one made at home, but make sure that you use the face scrub gently on your face, otherwise you might risk tearing your skin if you over-exfoliate.
Drinking ample water and water-rich fruits and vegetables is healthy no matter period or not. However, menstruation can cause dehydration, headaches, and discomfort. You can try to pick healthier foods, like curbing sugar cravings by indulging in fresh fruits instead of eating a cake or pastry.
"When estrogen peaks during the days right after a woman's period, and leading up to ovulation, the cells in the skin are stimulated to make more of these elements, resulting in a clear, glowing complexion. During this week, estrogen not only stimulates a glow but also keeps testosterone in check by shrinking pores.
Your skin will look its best - glowing and bright - towards the middle of your cycle when your estrogen levels are at their peak. As you move towards the end of your cycle and your period, your skin may become oilier than normal and you may start to see some pimples or redness.
The hormonal changes during a woman's menstrual cycle affect many organs, including the skin. Pigmentary changes of the skin related to the menstrual cycle are known as catamenial hyperpigmentation. Exacerbation of some dermatoses during the menstrual cycle has been observed in many studies.
Your skin may feel dry and sensitive the first few days of your cycle due to low hormone production. To soothe and moisturize your skin, increase the use of creaming, hydrating products in your skincare routine. Try a gentle hyaluronic acid facial serum to keep your skin feeling hydrated and plump.
Turn to salicylic acid cleansers
If you notice your skin getting extremely oily or is more prone to acne during your period, it's time to switch to a salicylic acid cleanser. Salicylic acid helps remove excess oil from your skin and will help prevent breakouts too.
Scheduling a facial:
For clear skin during your periods, schedule your monthly facial 10-12 days before your period begins. Prior to that, your skin is at its glamorous best and after that most vulnerable. As the pores are relatively larger, cleansing is easier and the damage to skin is least.
In a normal menstrual cycle, a balance between the hormones estrogen and progesterone regulates the buildup of the lining of the uterus (endometrium), which is shed during menstruation. If a hormone imbalance occurs, the endometrium develops in excess and eventually sheds by way of heavy menstrual bleeding.