Lifestyle & Wellness, Skin Care
You’re bloated, irritable, and to top it off, your skin is acting up. Welcome to the ups and downs of your menstrual cycle and how hormones affect your complexion. Some days your skin looks radiant; other days you’re dealing with stubborn hormonal acne. Want to figure out when your skin will be at its best or worst? Here’s how to track hormone-driven skin changes and care for your skin throughout the month.
Hormones 101
Three hormones most affect your skin during the cycle: estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. These hormones rise and fall at different times, and their shifting balance changes how your skin looks and feels.
Estrogen
Estrogen dominates the first half of the cycle. It helps boost collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, which support skin structure and moisture. When estrogen is high, skin looks plump, hydrated and smoother.
Progesterone
Progesterone rises in the second half of the cycle. It increases sebum (oil) production and can cause the skin to swell and pores to feel compressed. That compression can trap oil and lead to breakouts.
Testosterone
Testosterone stays fairly steady but becomes more noticeable when estrogen and progesterone drop around your period. Like progesterone, it stimulates oil glands, which can lead to extra oil and clogged pores — common triggers for acne.
What To Expect During a 28-Day Cycle
Your skin’s mood swings often follow your hormones. Here’s a simple guide to what usually happens and how to treat it.
Days 1–6
Hormone levels are lowest at the start of your period. Sebum production may drop, and without estrogen’s help, your skin can be drier and duller. Your body also makes more prostaglandins, which can increase inflammation and make skin more sensitive.
Skin tip: Avoid painful treatments like waxing. Focus on gentle rehydration — use a hyaluronic-acid serum or a rich moisturizer to restore moisture.
Days 7–11
Estrogen production ramps back up. This supports collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid production, so new skin cells form and your skin begins to look fresher and firmer.
Skin tip: It’s a good time to lightly exfoliate. Use a gentle physical or chemical exfoliant to slough off dead skin and reveal a brighter complexion.
Days 12–16
Right before ovulation, estrogen peaks and your skin often looks its best — hydrated, firm and radiant.
Skin tip: Take advantage of this glow. Use anti-aging ingredients like retinol alternatives or plant peptides to help maintain skin’s bounce and smoothness.
Days 17–24
After ovulation, estrogen falls and progesterone rises. Increased progesterone boosts oil production and can cause the skin to swell, compressing pores. While pores may look smaller, oil can get trapped and cause breakouts.
Skin tip: Add a clay mask to your routine to absorb excess oil and pull impurities from pores.
Days 25–28
PMS sets in as progesterone and estrogen drop below testosterone. You might notice puffiness, bloating and extra oil. Pores can look larger and trapped oil mixed with acne bacteria often leads to breakouts around the chin and jawline.
Skin tip: Use salicylic acid — a beta-hydroxy acid — to clear pore blockages, fight bacteria and help prevent new breakouts.
How To Fight Hormonal Acne
Hormonal acne affects over half of women and often appears in adulthood. It usually shows up as deep, painful cysts on the lower face. You can tackle it two ways: from the inside (diet) and the outside (skincare).
Diet
Reduce inflammation by cutting back on sugar, dairy and refined carbs. Add foods that help balance hormones, like healthy fats, omega-3s, leafy greens and zinc-rich foods.
Skin Care
If hormonal acne is a problem, Eminence Organics Product Support Team Lead Alicia Hawthorne suggests pairing the Acne Advanced Treatment System with the Eight Greens Collection. The Acne Advanced system’s encapsulated salicylic acid works with the Eight Greens products’ plant-based estrogens to help balance skin and reduce hormonal breakouts, keeping skin clearer throughout the month.
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What changes do you notice in your skin during your cycle? Share your concerns in the comments below and join the conversation on social media.