Period Skincare Cycle Days 1-6: What Helps Skin During Menstruation?

Even if you’re one of those lucky people whose skin is relatively balanced, you might notice excess oiliness or dry patches that seemingly appear out of nowhere throughout the month. These changes are likely thanks to the normal hormonal fluctuations your body experiences every month as part of its menstrual cycle. 

To help you navigate the skin changes you might notice every month, we’re doing a deep dive into the four stages of the hormonal cycle and how you can flex your skincare routine to keep your skin healthy and clear all month long. This post covers everything you need to know about the menstruation phase of your cycle. For a full rundown of the other hormonal phases, visit the following: Follicular (Days 6-12), Ovulation (Days 13-16), and Luteal (Days 17-28).

Menstruation (Day 1-7): What It Is

Your cycle starts with menstruation, also known as your period. This is when your body sheds the uterine lining it has built up throughout the rest of the cycle. Although every body is different, you can expect this part of the cycle to last roughly 3-8 days.

Your Hormones During Menstruation

Progesterone and estrogen, which rise throughout other parts of the menstrual cycle, plummet during menstruation while inflammatory prostaglandins, natural chemicals that help your uterus contract, begin to rise. These fluctuations can cause all sorts of changes in your body and mood, which is why you might feel tired, bloated, and crampy during this part of the month.

Your Skin During Menstruation

Estrogen and progesterone are key players when it comes to the way your skin functions. Estrogen affects the body's natural production of hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin while progesterone impacts circulation and pigmentation. As estrogen and progesterone decrease during your period, your skin might feel dry, blotchy and lackluster. The rise in prostaglandins can also trigger sensitivity and inflammation, weakening the skin’s barrier function and making it more susceptible to external irritants.

How To Care For Your Skin

This is the time to be gentle with your skin. Put away exfoliants and ingredients that can cause irritation, and reach for a hydrating serum like our HA Hydrating Serum to draw moisture back into the skin.  Follow with a moisturizer like our Microbiome Rescue Daily Moisturizer to restore healthy barrier function and calm existing irritation. For an additional layer of protection, apply our Shiunko Blush Face Oil over your moisturizer. Fermented plant extracts calm redness, boost skin barrier function, and protect the skin from environmental aggressors so you can avoid any sensitivity flare-ups during your period.