Anyone who’s ever had a period knows that they can play absolute havoc with your complexion. Spots and oiliness are all you need if you’re already suffering with cramps and PMT, so we’re taking a look at the actual causes of poor skin at the different stages of your cycle, as well as suggesting things to help to combat it.
The Week Before
During the week leading up to your period, your body’s oestrogen levels start to drop and progesterone production amps up, which also causes your skin to produce more oil. This can lead to shiny skin, blocked pores and pimples. Using a heavy-duty oil-free cleanser like Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser will help to mop up the excess sebum and using a good mask like Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque will keep it at bay for the longer term.
During
After the oil-slick that your skin endures the week before your period, spots are going to be at their worst so clearing your pores of the residual grime is vital if you ever want to clear your skin. Using an emergency treatment as the spots appear, like Dermalogica Emergency Spot Fix, will help to reduce the redness and kill the spot-causing bacteria, while Dermalogica Concealing Spot Treatment will attack the cause of the spot whilst also giving you a bit of coverage to reduce the appearance of the blemish. We also suggest using Dermalogica Skin Purifying Wipes to cleanse your skin during your period as they will purify skin and remove excess surface oils and breakout-causing bacteria and impurities.
The Week After
Once your period is finished, your hormone levels should return to normal which hopefully will also have a knock-on effect for your skin. Spots will start to clear, oil production will slow down and you can resume a regular skincare routine without having to account for pesky zits! The Dermalogica Skin Kit for Normal/Dry skin is the ideal combination of products to keep your skin on track between your period and contains everything you need for a good daily routine. It contains a good moisturiser which will be especially useful in the week after your period as there’s a tendency for skin to dry out a little after the sebum festival in the previous couple of weeks!