Why Your Period Makes You Break Out and How to Deal With It

If zits are popping up in these spots at the same time every month, you've got hormonal acne. Here's everything you need to know to stop monthly breakouts for good.

21 March, 2018
Why Your Period Makes You Break Out and How to Deal With It

If zits are popping up in these spots at the same time every month, you've got hormonal acne. Chin up girl, we've got the fix. Get to know your skin cycle, so you can stop monthly breakouts for good!

One Week Before Your Period

Your skin is majorly PMS-ing thanks to your estrogen levels dipping and progesterone (a hormone that amps up oil production) taking over, says Whitney Bowe, M.D., an NYC derm.

What to do: De-gunk and de-grease pores with a salicylic acid toner pad. If you feel a pimple brewing beneath the surface, slather on a clay mask — it sucks out grime from inside the skin, preventing a breakout.

The Week of Your Period

The zits creeping up on your chin and jaw? They're the result of last week's pore-clogging progesterone surge.

What to do: Double up your cleansing game: Remove makeup with a wipe and then suds up with a benzoyl peroxide face wash (which kills germs and reduces inflammation), says NYC dermatologist Doris Day, M.D. Next, use an oil-free moisturizer to prevent overdrying.

The Week After Your Period

After a bumpy ride (literally!), your estrogen and progesterone hormone levels have gone back to normal — and so will your skin.

What to do: For a stubborn cystic zit (these can last up to 10 days!), dab cortisone on the spot (only once or twice total — too much can backfire), says Dr. Bowe. And PS, now's not the time to slack. Sticking to a skin care routine, even when you're acne-free, will help prevent pimples next month.

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Credit: Cosmopolitan
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