Let’s be real: being a woman is beautiful, but it comes with its own rhythm—and my skin definitely knows what time of the month it is. 😅 Now that I’m intentionally tying to get my skin at its peak and stick to a skincare routine, it gets so frustrating when BAM—out of nowhere—my face would suddenly break out due to my monthly cycle. So I had to start looking at how my hormones affect my skincare routine.
Here’s what I’ve learned (and am still learning) about how my hormones affect my skin and how I’ve had to adjust my skincare routine accordingly.
Week 1: Post-Period Glow-Up (The Recovery Phase)
After my period ends, my estrogen levels start to rise again and this is when my skin usually starts behaving. It feels smoother, looks brighter, and I finally see the results of my skincare efforts.
🧴 Skincare Focus: Hydration and glow! I still use my Zaron Hydrating Serum. While I’ve been told to use vitamin C, I found that my skin always reacts to it.
Week 2: Ovulation (The Pretty Phase… But Be Careful)
Around ovulation, my skin is at its best—smooth, clear, and vibrant. But apparently, my skin is actually getting a little oilier due to increased luteinizing hormone (LH).
🧴 Skincare Focus: I try to double cleanse and maybe add a clay mask to control any potential oil build-up—just to stay ahead of possible breakouts.
Week 3: The Calm Before the Storm
This is when progesterone rises, and it starts to thicken my skin’s oil production. This is when I get small bumps or clogged pores that are trying to make an appearance. Always on the chin or on the forehead.
🧴 Skincare Focus: Gentle detox. I keep my routine consistent, avoid trying new products, and use salicylic acid or niacinamide to help manage congestion.
Week 4: PMS & Breakout Season (Here We Go Again 😩)
Right before my period, estrogen drops and androgens rise—and that hormonal shift always seems to land right on my face. For me, I can break out anywhere… chin, cheeks, forehead, nose… all of this plus mood swings, and a serious temptation to throw away all my skincare products.
🧴 Skincare Focus: SOS Mode. I slow down, simplify, and baby my skin. I stick to gentle cleansers, calming ingredients like aloe or chamomile, and spot treat breakouts instead of overdoing it. My fav hack is the ice bath. It helps to reduce any redness from the breakouts.
Grace for the Process
One thing I’ve had to remind myself is this: My skin isn’t betraying me. It’s responding to my body. Learning to listen to it and work with it (not against it) has brought so much peace to my skincare journey. Now, I don’t beat myself up over the occasional breakout. I give myself grace, stay consistent, and trust the process.
Let’s Talk About It
💬 Have you noticed how your cycle affects your skin? Do you change your skincare routine based on the week? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear how you manage those hormonal skin shifts!
