Most women are too familiar with the havoc that periods can wreak on their skin. Between breakouts, dryness, and sensitivity, dealing with your skin during your period can be a real challenge. Fortunately, you can do a few things to help keep your skin looking its best during those difficult weeks. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best skin care tips for women during periods. Read on to learn more!
Ways your period affects your skin: what to expect and how to deal
Your period can cause all sorts of skin problems, from acne to dryness. Here are some ways your period affects your skin:
- Acne: Many women experience an outbreak of acne around the time of their period. This is due to the hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle.
- Dryness: The hormones released during your period can also cause your skin to dry and irritated.
- Sensitivity: Your skin may be more sensitive during your period, making it more susceptible to irritation and inflammation.
- Breakouts: Some women experience breakouts of small, red bumps on their skin during their period. These are called folliculitis and are caused by hormonal changes leading to acne.
- Dark circles: The hormonal changes of your period can also cause the blood vessels under your eyes to dilate, resulting in dark circles.
- Pigmentation: The hormones released during your period can also cause your skin to become more pigmented. This is known as chloasma and often affects the face.
While these skin problems can be annoying, they are usually only temporary and will go away once your period is over. However, if you are concerned about any of these issues, please consult a dermatologist.
How to take care of your skin during your period
Women need to take care of their skin during periods. The hormone changes during this time can result in breakouts and other skin problems. Here are some tips to help you take care of your skin during periods:
- Keep your skin clean: Wash your face at least twice a day with a mild cleanser to remove all the dirt, oil, and makeup that can clog your pores and lead to breakouts.
- Exfoliate regularly: Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, which can clog pores and cause breakouts. Do it once or twice a week using a gentle exfoliating scrub.
- Use a light moisturizer: During periods, your skin can become dry and irritated. Use a light, oil-free moisturizer to help keep your skin hydrated.
- Avoid using harsh cleansers or scrubbing too hard: Harsh cleansers and scrubbing can irritate your skin and make breakouts worse. Be gentle with your skin during this time.
- Drink plenty of water: Drinking lots of water helps flush out toxins from your body and keeps your skin hydrated from the inside out.
- Eat healthy foods: Eating a healthy diet helps improve your overall health, which in turn can also help improve your skin health. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as fish and nuts.
- Reduce stress: Stress can trigger breakouts, so it’s important to find ways to relax and de-stress during your period. For example, try yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises.
- Get enough sleep: Sleep is important for overall health and can also help improve your skin health. Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep per night.
- Protect your skin from the sun: UV rays can damage your skin, so apply sunscreen daily, even when it’s cloudy.
- See a dermatologist: If you are struggling with breakouts or other skin problems during your period, see a dermatologist for expert advice and treatment.