This is Why Your Period Makes You Break Out (And How to Deal With It)

Stop the spots

21 March, 2018
This is Why Your Period Makes You Break Out (And How to Deal With It)

If spots are popping up in these places at the same time every month, chances are, they're hormonal. 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 oestrogen 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 spots 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 moisturiser to prevent over-drying.

The Week After Your Period

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

What to do: For a stubborn cystic spot (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.

Credit: Cosmopolitan
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