“Period Face”: How Your Menstrual Cycle Messes With Your Skin and How You Can Manage It

Ladies, if you have certain weeks where the skincare just isn’t skincare-ing or the face isn’t behaving as well as it could, it’s likely because of “period face”.

We know that hormones can do crazy things to our minds and bodies, but did you know that they could also affect our complexion? Should we sync our skincare to our menstrual cycles?

To figure out whether “period face” is something we can neglect, we approached experts for their insights!

Meet the experts:

• Dr Liew Hui Min, a consultant dermatologist at HM Liew Skin & Laser Clinic, is a fully accredited specialist consultant in dermatology with the Ministry of Health in Singapore and the General Medical Council (UK). She has a special focus on children’s and women’s dermatology, genital dermatology, and general medical adult dermatology.
• Dr Yanni Xu, an aesthetic doctor at The Urban Clinic, graduated with the second-highest score in her year from King’s College London School of Medicine, winning both the silver medal and Todd’s award. Her interests include rosacea and sensitive skin, adult and hormonal acne, pigmentation, natural and graceful ageing of the face, and hair restoration.

What is “Period Face”?

@chloeellies

reminder: your face changes throughout your menstrual cycle. Be kind to yourselves ladies 🫶 #girlthings #girltalk #girlytips

♬ original sound – Chloe

Notice how your face and skin look different during different phases of your cycle? “Period face” basically translates to skin changes during a menstrual cycle, from oiliness and breakouts to changes in texture.

“The cyclical change in our hormones causes the change in oil “sebum”, pores size, and water content (hydration) in our skin. It does not necessarily mean we have problems with our hormones, but our sebocytes (oily glands in our skin) are sensitive to certain hormones, predominantly testosterone and dihydrotestosterone.

Testosterone remains constant in our menstrual cycle except when the oestrogen starts to fall (i.e. after ovulation). Without sebum, our skin will be dry and dull. However, overproduction of sebum will lead to acne,” said Dr Liew.

Dr Yanni shared that “to understand acne and our menstrual cycles, we need to understand the complex interplay of hormones in our reproductive system”.

“Oily skin and blackheads start appearing during puberty and affect almost everybody. Later in our mid-20s, during our fertility peak, acne can become an issue again especially if the patient has underlying hormonal issues i.e. PCOS or hormonal disruption (i.e. poor quality sleep and high stress). Acne can reappear in the late 30s to early 40s as perimenopause changes occur,” she elaborated.

Related read: “Period Hair” is a Real Thing – Here’s What You Can Do About It

Understanding Your Menstrual Phase

The Menstrual Phase (Days 1 to 16)

Expect: Dry and inflamed skin

During the menstrual phase (a.k.a. our period), that drained feeling we get isn’t just internal. Our skin gets the period blues too. When our energy dips, our skin often reflects that with dryness, dullness, or inflammation.

According to Dr Liew, our bodies know that pregnancy has not taken place and thus signals for a drop of all hormones.

“Without these hormones, it does not stimulate our oily glands, making our skin dry, irritated, and inflamed. At the same time, prostaglandin increases, leading to mild skin inflammation,” she explained.

How to sync your skincare:

• Avoid using harsh skincare products like face scrubs and acid peels.
• Apply good and hydrating moisturisers.

Related reads:

• 27 Best Moisturisers to Get in 2024 That Work Well in Singapore’s Weather
• The Right Mask to Use According to Your Menstrual Cycle

The Follicular Phase (Days 7 to 14)

Expect: Calmer, balanced skin

After your period, it’s almost like you’ve “purged” yourself of anything that might stunt your skin’s glow. Some might even say here’s when your skin is on its way to looking and feeling its best!

“The next phase is when the body is ready for ovulation which is usually around day 14. Hence, between days seven to 11, oestrogen level increases rapidly. Oestrogen helps increase cell turnover (renewal of skin) and therefore our skin will glow and be more supple,” shared Dr Liew.

How to sync your skincare:

• Use a gentle cleanser to maintain the skin’s barrier
• Apply a light and non-comedogenic moisturiser to avoid clogging pores.

Diet modifications to consider:

In this phase, Dr Yanni noted that the skin would be slightly dryer with fewer breakouts.

• Consume high-fibre foods to balance estrogen levels and promote its excretion.
• Eating antioxidant-rich foods like berries and leafy greens can also help reduce inflammation.

The Ovulation Phase (Days 14 to 16)

Expect: Glowing skin; in its best state

For a brief, magical time around ovulation, your skin can transform into a radiant goddess state. This is due to a hormonal shift — high oestrogen levels keep your skin barrier strong and plump with hydration while low progesterone levels ensure oil production is under control.

However, Dr Yanni noted that your skin could start to get oily since testosterone peaks around ovulation and that hormone can contribute to increased sebum production.

How to sync your skincare:

• Choose antioxidant serums like vitamin C to protect against free radicals.
• Use a mild exfoliant to remove dead skin cells, unblock pores, and prevent clogged pores. These topicals include facial scrubs, retinol, retinoid, and AHA/BHA products.

Dr Liew suggested that we be cautious of overusing to avoid irritant contact dermatitis. Instead, start using them gradually like on an alternate day basis.

Diet modifications to consider:

• Manage inflammation with omega-3 fatty acids which are found in fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds.
• Stay diligent with hydration! It’s important to keep your skin hydrated and help flush out unwanted toxins.

Related read: Chinese Actress Zhao Lusi Has a “Menstrual Weight Loss” Plan?! She Shares Other Interesting Beauty Tips Too

The Luteal Phase (Day 16-30)

Expect: Flare-ups and chaotic skin

In the start of the luteal phase, where there is an increase in progesterone, your skin will be producing high levels of oil. That means you’ll be most prone to breakouts and flare-ups in the final two weeks of your cycle.

Dr Yanni explained that progesterone can cause the skin to swell, trapping sebum and bacteria in pores, which can exacerbate acne, particularly in the latter part of the luteal phase”.

Going into details, Dr Liew explained that your follicles may be blocked in the first week due to “the combination of closed pores and over-production of sebum”.

Then, one week before menstruation and in the second half of the luteal phase, “the progesterone level will fall, and therefore, the pores will open up, allowing entry of bacteria propionibacterium acnes to get in and feed on this type of oily skin, causing inflamed comedones,” said Dr Liew.

How to sync your skincare:

• Use topicals that can help unblock pores and reduce sebum production like retinol, retinoid, and AHA/BHA products. Remember to use it in moderation to avoid irritant contact dermatitis!
• For emerging acne, use salicylic acid as a spot treatment.
• Pick an oil-free moisturiser to prevent excessive oil build-up.
• Choose calming products like niacinamide and azelaic acid to reduce redness and inflammation.

Diet modifications to consider:

• Consume complex carbohydrates like whole grains to help stabilise blood sugar levels and reduce hormonal fluctuations.
• Reduce dairy and high-glycemic foods. These can exacerbate acne by increasing inflammation and sebum production.

Related reads:

• 14 best salicylic acid products to unclog pores for clearer skin, from cleansers to leave-on exfoliants
• 15 Niacinamide Serums for Clearer, Brighter Skin and How To Use Them in Your Routine

Additional Tips for Managing “Period Face” and Your Skin

We’ve also managed to gather more tips on how you can swerve “period face” and keep your skin as clear as possible.

Dr Yanni recommends sticking to a regular, consistent routine that’s tailored to your skin type. On that point, Dr Liew shared that changing your skincare products at every phase of the menstrual cycle “will enhance non-compliance in many individuals and may cause skin irritation”.

With that said it’s high time to start curating a unique monthly skincare regimen and keep to it!

Dr Liew also advised that those who need strong anti-acne treatments like retinoids and AHA/BHA should change their wash and moisturisers to the hydrating range to prevent any breakdown of the skin barrier.

Other than that, Dr Yanni mentioned that stress management is important. “Stress can exacerbate hormonal imbalances, so practices like yoga or meditation can be beneficial,” she said.

She also noted that ensuring you get adequate, consistent sleep at night (from 11 pm to 7 am) can help regulate hormone levels and skin repair.

“In summary, understanding the hormonal changes throughout your menstrual cycle and adjusting your diet, supplements, and skincare routine accordingly can help manage acne more effectively.

If acne persists or worsens, consider consulting with a doctor for personalised treatment options,” said Dr Yanni.

Related read: Weekly Weight Loss Tips Based on Your Menstrual Cycle Stages, According to a Woman Who Lost 5kg in a Month

Feature image credits: @hannahabrown0/Tiktok, @chloeellies/TikTok