If you are menstruating you would be all too familiar with the mood swings, cramps and general discomfort that comes with our monthly cycle. Our skin is no exception to these hormonal changes. Altering our skincare products surges and drops in our hormone levels can be an effective way to combat changes in skin that come with hormonal changes.
Day 1 ’ 6 of your cycle
On the first day of your period and throughout the following 5 days, hormone levels are low so your skin may appear dry and dull. Increasing hydration internally and externally is key. Oils such as jojoba and antioxidant- rich oils which reduce trans-epidermal water loss and mimic the natural wax esters of the skin (you will find these in Edible Beauty’s & Snowflower Illuminating Face Oil can assist in boosting hydration whilst also brightening the skin. Use hydrating masks and formulas rich in fatty acids such as ceramides, shea and cocoa butter to build skin moisture levels and improve skin resilience. You will find these in Edible Beauty’s & Coco Bliss Intensive Repair Crème. During this time, I recommend upping the ante on your ingestible wellness products like vegan collagen and greens powders. Avoid using active ingredients such as retinol, glycolics and lactic acid as your skin may be hypersensitive to these ingredients during this time.
Day 6 ’ ovulation
Prior to ovulation, our oestrogen levels are high and peak just prior to ovulation, normally around Day 13. Oestrogen is the hormone that keeps our skin feeling plump, dewy and radiant. It binds to oestrogen receptor sites on skin cells promoting collagen production. It has also been shown to maintain skin hydration levels by increasing hyaluronic acid levels in the skin and maintaining the structural integrity of the skin barrier function. This in turn can mean skin is more resilient and less prone to sensitivity so now is the time to experiment with new skincare formulas!
Oestrogen promotes a more rapid skin wound healing response which also makes the skin more resilient. This surge in oestrogen keeps skin looking plump, springy and hydrated. I recommend using water-based serums like No.3 Exotic Goddess Ageless Serum along with a light-weight lotion to keep skin feeling smooth and hydrated. Skin will have less of a tendency to clog so keep to exfoliating 1-2 times a week.
An exfoliant can assist in boosting skin cell turnover prior to ovulation. It can also help to promote lymphatic drainage and pre-empt a move towards an oilier complexion post-ovulation. I believe the skin has a ’self-exfoliating" mechanism and only ever recommend physical exfoliants, to help with improving skin circulation and encourage skin cell turnover without harsh actives disrupting the skin’s microbiome balance. Using natural Alpha Hydroxy Acids can also help to refine pores and cleanse the skin. Our approach is using natural gentle AHAs found naturally in lime, apple and strawberry extracts (you will find these in Edible Beauty’s No.1 Belle Frais Cleansing Milk.
During the days leading up to ovulation look at providing extra support for your liver. Using liver-supportive herbs such as Berberine, Turmeric and Burdock Root (which you will find at Inner Essentials ’ Skin+Liver ) help to cleanse and detoxify the skin ’from the inside" reducing tendencies for overproduction of oil which can arise from hormonal imbalances.
Pre-period
Before our periods, the hormones oestrogen and progesterone drop, and testosterone becomes a more dominant hormone. This signals our oil glands to produce excess oil which may result in clogged pores and breakouts as well as general inflammation leading to puffy skin and eyes.
I recommend using water-based serums along with formulas containing anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory botanicals during this time. Salicylic acid can be helpful in refining pores and preventing bacterial build-up but take care to not use anything which has more than 1% as this can be quite harsh on the skin.
Look out for ingredients like Calendula and Chamomile in your toner/essence to calm skin and keep bacteria and clogged pores at bay (you will find these in our No.2 Citrus Rhapsody Toner Mist. Switch to dry oils like squalane which is non-comedogenic and contains anti-inflammatory properties ensuring skin is hydrated without becoming congested. Increase exfoliation to 2-3 times a week and use a sleep-purifying mask to balance an oily T zone. Edible Beauty’s & Sleeping Purifying Mousse contains an extract called Alpha Avocuta, derived from avocado oil. It has been clinically proven to reduce the conversion of testosterone into DHT and hence curb the excess oil production that is caused by imbalanced androgens. Use Turmeric Brightening Serum as a spot treatment for any pesky spots that may arise before your menstrual cycle begins.
Internally, consider upping the ante on liver supportive herbs. Turmeric, Dandelion Root and all bitter greens will help the liver in cleansing and shifting excess testosterone. I am always recommending my clients create ’daily fibre goals". Fibre is essential to shift excess hormones wreaking havoc with our skin. Many of us are not getting the 25 -30 grams recommended in our daily diet. Fibre helps to sweep up toxins and oestrogen along with undigested food in the gut and helps to feed good gut bacteria keeping our gut microbiome healthy and our digestion in check. Add 2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal to your smoothie or morning porridge. Enjoy fibre rich foods such as oats, brown rice, vegetables and legumes.
By becoming more conscious of your hormone fluctuations, you can not only become more aware of how hormones are impacting your mood, you can also tailor a skincare regime for each stage of your cycle, ensuring skin is at its most optimum at all times. Your skin will thank you for this!
About Anna
Anna Mitsios ’ Naturopath, Nutritionist, Founder of Edible Beauty Australia
Adv. Dip. Naturopathy. Adv. Dip. Nutrition. B.Com (Honours)
Anna is a certified naturopath and nutritionist and founder of the leading Australian natural skincare and wellness company, Edible Beauty Australia. Anna has been featured in various publications including Mind Body Green, Women’s Health and Allure. She is committed to the natural transformation of her client’s skin using proven botanicals, nutrients and herbal formulations, both on the inside and out.
Anna’s career began in the corporate sector, where she specialised in corporate finance and private banking for over ten years working in Sydney and New York for a large Australian bank. Anna’s career change was sparked by her own health journey, following a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes at 18 years of age. Her diagnosis triggered her intense study of botanicals and nutrition to manage auto-immune conditions and assist others in attaining optimal health. Anna’s naturopathy career has included working as a naturopath within a reputable natural fertility clinic in Sydney, within a pharmacy and health food store and running her own naturopathy practice.
