A pimple appears, then another and another... For many menstruating women, this is the sign that their period is approaching. Once it is over, the skin usually shines with new radiance. It is just the case that the skin and its needs change throughout the entire menstrual cycle. Once you have recognized this, you can care for your skin specifically depending on the phase of the cycle. In this blog post, we talk about the cause of “Menstrual acne “ and give you tips on how to avoid periodic skin problems during your cycle. 

You may be wondering how you can recognize hormonal spots. Hormonal spots are most likely to be found in the jaw area or on the  Underside of cheek Other regions are also conceivable, such as the forehead, neck or chin. 

Pimples in the forehead area

Especially pimples in the so-called  T-zone indicate that these are hormonal skin imperfections. The T-zone area includes the forehead, nose and chin. But why do pimples appear here in particular? This is because there are a particularly large number of sebaceous glands there. Pimples appear most frequently on the forehead during puberty.

Pimples on the neck

Menstruating women can also notice hormonal-related skin blemishes on their necks. If you are struggling with spots on your neck, you should make sure that your jewelry or clothing does not irritate your skin further.

Pimples on the chin, cheeks and jaw

Maybe you have heard of the so-called Acne tarda This is adult acne, which often appears on the lower part of the face. 

How your skin looks often depends on the phase of the cycle you are currently in. The hormones at work include progesterone, estrogen and testosterone. When your period is approaching, your skin is usually shiny and blemishes come to the surface. Around ovulation, things may look different again: your complexion usually looks rosy and fresh. Let's take a closer look at the corresponding cycle phases. 

The cycle phase in which your skin may be at its worst is  Luteal phase In the period from ovulation to menstruation, i.e. from day 14 to 28 of the cycle, the estrogen level is still within limits. In the middle of the luteal phase, however, the progesterone level reaches its peak. The activity of the sebaceous glands also increases and more sebum is produced. The result? The skin is oily and prone to pimples. 

In which phase of the cycle is the skin at its best? This will probably also be the case for you during the second phase of your menstrual cycle, the  Follicular phase This is the period from menstruation to ovulation. This is when estrogen levels increase and the skin receives the nutrients it needs. The skin is rosy, balanced and radiant.

We have already pointed out that hormones can have a major impact on the skin. You may now be wondering which hormone you are lacking or which one you have in excess if you notice hormonal impurities. First of all, you should know that sebum production is influenced by male hormones, the so-called  Androgens , is controlled. For example, if the male hormone testosterone is not present in  balance  with other hormones in your body, such as estrogen and progesterone, increased sebum production and the pores become clogged. This then leads to impurities and inflammation. Just before your period, female hormones are very low and the production of male hormones increases in return. Hormonal changes can therefore result in impure skin or acne. In case you weren't aware: unhealthy eating (e.g. sweets) can also cause a hormonal imbalance. You can also get tips on how to best eat during your period in our  Blog post in addition.  

Now you are probably curious to find out what helps with hormonal acne. Unfortunately, there is no miracle cure for hormonal acne. Every person is different and something different helps everyone. We would like to give you a few tips. What you can do on the one hand is to combat the impurities with healthy  Nutrition  To counteract this, it is important to  Cortisol - i.e. your stress level, as low as possible. Of course, your skin care also has a big influence on impurities.You should therefore  Skin care routine  Find a product that is good for your skin and is tailored to it - and this applies to both skin care products and your make-up. It is also advisable to consult your dermatologist if you have serious blemishes. 

We have already explained to you that your skin and its needs change depending on the phase of your cycle. For example, it would make little sense to apply a very rich cream if your skin is already well moisturized. Because more is not always better. So it can be useful to adapt your daily skin care to the corresponding cycle phase. Do you adapt your  Care routine  to the  Needs of your skin  you may even be able to prevent cycle-related pimples. If we imagine that the cycle is divided into four phases, it looks like this:

First phase: menstruation

Your hormone levels are very low during this time. This means that your estrogen levels also drop and your skin produces more  tallow The skin is usually dry and easily irritated. Now it is important to use a mild cleansing product and then apply a rich moisturizer to ensure sufficient  Hydration  to ensure.

Second phase: follicular phase

After the period, the estrogen level rises again and the skin produces  Collagen The complexion looks rosy and healthy. If you use peelings regularly, now is the perfect opportunity to do so. Also make sure you don't use a cream that is too greasy, otherwise your pores could become clogged. 

Third phase: ovulation

Here you can keep your skincare routine or, if you like, try something new: During the ovulation phase, the skin glows, is resilient, and spots and skin imperfections are not really an issue.  Estrogen levels  reaches its  Climax This may also have a positive effect on your general well-being and mood.

Fourth phase: luteal phase

... and every day the same thing happens: your egg has not been fertilized and is preparing for the next period. The estrogen level drops, the testosterone level rises. The sebaceous glands are stimulated, the skin looks greasy, the pores become clogged, the  Impurities  and pimples increase. It is important that you clean your skin particularly gently but thoroughly during this time. A steam bath with chamomile, a skin-soothing face mask and a nourishing cream may not work miracles, but they can improve the complexion.

If you can't get the spots and blemishes under control, your doctor can help you. Don't hesitate to get advice! You are not alone with "menstrual acne" and there is no reason to be ashamed of it. Your gynecologist can, for example, prescribe chasteberry to help you restore your hormone balance.

...and sometimes it helps to know that you are not alone with your skin problems!