We don’t need a period-tracking app to know when red days are coming. The pimples that suddenly appear on our foreheads tell us what we need to know. Because, of course, it’s not enough that we experience severe cramps on our red days, but we also have to deal with acne, extra oiliness, and huge pores.
Our body goes through plenty of changes every 21 to 35 days or throughout the menstrual cycle. These changes are due to hormonal fluctuations as you go from ovulation and pre-menstrual phase, to your period.
Moon Cycle Hormones — and What They Do to Your Skin
The rise and fall of your hormones control your menstrual cycle. Your skin feels and looks best right after your period because of the high estrogen level. Estrogen promotes collagen production as well, so your skin looks radiant and plump.
You start ovulating two weeks before your period comes again. But then your body starts producing the luteinizing hormone or LH. A surge in LH causes the ovaries to release an egg during ovulation. Another week later, the LH boosts production of your progesterone, which is known to cause breakouts as it induces your sebaceous glands.
Around a week before your red days, your estrogen decreases while your progesterone and testosterone increase. This boosts your oil production even more, clogging your pores with sebum and dirt.
And then, as we all know, the cycle ends with blood. Your estrogen level is still low during your period, but you’re not as oily as you were while PMSing. Your complexion may look dull, dry, and worn down because there’s not enough estrogen to get your collagen working.
As a bonus, hormonal changes trigger the same oil glands each month. Therefore, you get stubborn pimples that die down but come back with a vengeance.
Do you need an entirely different skin care routine and set of products dedicated to your red days? Well, no. What you can do is build on your current regimen to address the changing needs of your skin throughout your cycle.
Here are some skin care tips to help you maintain gorgeous, glowing skin during your period.
Period Skin Care Routine
1. Go for a light makeup look. Your pores are already clogged with all the sebum, and trapping those under heavy makeup will only make it worse. Let your skin breathe.
2. Double cleanse. Your pores need to be free from all the oil and dirt at the end of the day. Double cleanse to prevent the gunk from settling on your skin and turning into acne. But use gentle cleansers, so your skin isn’t stripped off its natural oils.
3. Use a cleanser with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a skin care ingredient popular for dissolving pore-clogging gunk, calming redness and inflammation, and reducing oil production. It also keeps blemishes and bacteria at bay – perfect for your period.
4. Choose products with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is another cult favorite in beauty and skin care. It’s a powerful antioxidant that brightens your skin, so you want it in your arsenal on days when your complexion looks dull and unhealthy.
5. Spot-treat your pimples. Sometimes, the odd pimple is unavoidable. When a pesky one comes up, treat it with your usual spot treatment product. Pimple patches, tea tree oil, and benzoyl peroxide are some of the popular spot acne treatments.
Apart from stepping up your skin care routine, commit to other healthy self care habits to keep your skin glowing. Everything you do with your body affects your skin, so make sure your taking care of yourself inside and out, especially during your period.
Watch what you eat.
Some food items worsen symptoms during your red days, making you feel even more bloated and uncomfortable. Dairy and sugar are some examples. These two increase your insulin levels, which can contribute to acne. Load up instead on pineapples, bananas, whole grains, and other cramp-relieving food.
Your vaginal pH increases during menstruation because of the blood flow. An imbalanced pH level can cause red day odor, itch, and even irritation. A basic or high pH level can also cause breakouts.
During your period, switch to a feminine wash that is specifically made for your red days. Although a regular feminine wash will do on regular days, red days call for ultra protection. GynePro gives you tri-power protection against red day odor, itch, and irritation. It’s made with Chlorhexidine digluconate that is clinically proven to have bacteria killing action with regular use.
See a dermatologist.
When you get stubborn, painful cystic pimples every time you get your monthly visitor, don’t just rely on a facial. Visit your dermatologist. The doctor can prescribe oral medication to help you manage your period acne.
A visit to the derma will also let you know if your period acne is a symptom of something else entirely, like polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Don’t let red days get the best of you.
Build a period skin care routine you can rely on to make this regular occurrence as comfortable for you as possible. Remember that beauty isn’t only skin deep. When you want glowing skin for days (even on your period), start taking care of your body from the inside out.
For more details, follow GynePro Ultra Protection Feminine Wash on Facebook and @gynepro on Instagram and get the feminine wash for red days on Lazada or in leading drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.
ASC REFERENCE NO: U083P111620GS
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