Decoding Hormones and Your Skin: What’s Going On?

Hormones-and-Skin
Hormones and Skin

When it comes to skin and hormones, there are 3 key hormones that each play a different role in changing the look and feel of our skin throughout our cycle. 

1. Estrogen

Helps stimulate collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production to help keep the skin stay plump and firm.

2. Progesterone

Stimulates the our oil glands and production of sebum. Too much of it often leads to an oil build up and breakout. 

3. Testosterone

Similar to progesterone, activating the sebaceous glands to produce oil.

Take Care of Your Skin by Tracking your Cycle: 

Understanding and being in tune with your unique cycle can help you better prepare for and care for your skin at each stage so you can have healthy, glowing skin all month long. 

Day 1-6

All 3 hormones are at an all-time low. Oil levels decrease and without the help of estrogen, your skin has difficulty retaining moisture, leaving it looking and feeling dull, dry and tired. Opt for moisturizers with hyaluronic acid in to keep your skin feeling hydrated and refreshed.

Day 7-11

Estrogen production begins which means new skin cells are forming. This is a great time to amp up the turnover process. Try a gentle exfoliant to remove dead cells and reveal the healthy skin underneath.

Day 12-16

Estrogen is at its peak and your skin looks and feels radiant! Moisture levels are high, pores are smaller and the increase in collagen and elastin is working wonders for that glow.

Day 17-24

Estrogen levels drop and Progesterone reaches its peak activating sebum production and causing your skin to swell and pores to compress. This traps oil and leaves you more prone to breakouts. Try a clay mask to soak up excess oil and draw out impurities from deep within your pores.

Day 25-28

Just before your period starts, Testosterone production takes over, causing bloating, puffiness and an oversupply of oil that can lead to that period breakout. Opt for cleansers with salicylic acid to clear pores and kill bacteria.