November 19, 2020
Go with the Flow - Live with and not against your cycle
by Leonie Poppe
“We are making fair changes: #faircare, #fairgoods, #fairshare” is the motto for this year's International Women's Day. We have taken this opportunity to talk about a topic that has been with us women for an average of 40 years of our lives: our menstruation.
In this article you will learn, among other things,
01 No menstruation, no life – Let’s fair the bad image
02 Blind spot in the system – our hormones
03 How exactly does our cycle work and what does it do to our skin?
01 Without menstruation, no life
Sounds simple! Unfortunately, we often find it difficult to talk about this intimate topic in everyday life. Pain, feelings of shame and discomfort during periods are not uncommon descriptions when women talk about their personal experiences. Social media is already helping us women to show that we are not alone with our symptoms! The first period bursts into our lives without warning and gives us sudden femininity and fertility. We are given the gift of creating our own lives - but we are often too preoccupied with the negative aspects to really understand this miracle of nature and use it for ourselves! I believe that this has to change!
[Mr]
02 Blind spot in the system – our hormones
If we feel strange or are in a bad mood for no real reason, we like to blame it on our hormones. But who really knows what this word means? It's good that you're here, let's take a closer look at these little messenger substances in our body...
estrogen
Let's start with THE hormone of femininity, of the heart and of feminine curves. It is produced in our pituitary gland (a hormone-producing gland at the base of the brain) and is responsible for the fat and water retention in the typically feminine areas. If our temper sometimes flares up or we feel an urge for more drama, the culprit can be found here. As a provisioning and nest-building hormone, it promotes our social affection for others and the urge to create new life.
progesterone
The chill hormone progesterone tries to balance out all the turmoil that estrogen can cause. We sleep more peacefully, can therefore recover better and face our everyday lives a little more relaxed. It also drains our cells.
testosterone
Yes, that's right, this hormone also plays an important role in the female body. Its concentration in the body is similar to that of estrogen and helps us to keep a clear head. Its origin is in the adrenal glands and the ovaries.
These actors are roughly controlled by our hypothalamus (also a control center) in the brain. Now command off, let's start the cycle...
[Mr]
03 Miracles of nature – How exactly does our cycle work and what does it do to our skin?
Day 1-7
From a medical point of view, it all starts on the first day of the period. The estrogen and testosterone levels are very low, and the progesterone levels are almost zero. This makes us a little tired and weak. Some women complain of headaches during this time and we tend to feel the need to withdraw. Our hypothalamus constantly checks the current cycle status and slowly stimulates the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This causes around 5-15 follicles to be formed immediately. As is often the case in life, the fastest-growing follicle wins the race and stimulates the production of estrogen and testosterone. As hormone levels rise, our energy returns.
Our skin lacks moisture during this time. The complexion can appear dry and dull. But the good thing is that the low hormone levels prevent the formation of blemishes. Small inflammations that have developed in the phase before the period can slowly heal and blemishes are gently soothed.
Care tip: Give your skin moisture and energy back! The junglück hyaluronic concentrate , the aloe vera gel and our light hyaluronic day cream are ideal for this. Don't overwhelm your cells with too much active ingredient, during this time less is more.
[Mr]
Day 8-14
When estrogen reaches a certain level, it automatically slows itself down and also reduces the production of luteinizing hormone (LH). Around day 12, LH shoots up again and triggers ovulation within 48 hours. The estrogen and testosterone levels are at their optimum at this time and we feel clear and in a good mood. Day 14 now corresponds to ovulation. We feel good in our bodies and show it!
The estrogen softens our skin and gives us a rosy, fresh complexion. It stimulates the formation of collagen, strengthens the skin barrier and visibly improves the moisture balance of our cells. The skin becomes less oily and the pores remain free of sebum deposits. Radiant glow thanks to the estrogen boost!
Care tip: During this time, moisture and valuable nutrients can be absorbed and stored particularly well. Use the opportunity to nourish your skin and discover new care products/routines for yourself. A few drops of our junglück oils in your day cream or just grab some retinal, experiment for yourself. For example, you could also apply our hyaluronic night cream a little thicker as a soothing mask and let it absorb overnight. Everything is possible, nothing is necessary!
[Mr]
Day 15-21 Luteal phase, part 1
After ovulation, estrogen drops rapidly and progesterone takes over. From now until our period, our body temperature rises by 0.5°C. Progesterone actively provides sugar molecules so that a fertilized egg can feel welcome in the uterus right from the start. And estrogen then slowly begins to rise again.
Now we are at the point in time that is often described as menstrual acne. A high progesterone level increases sebum production, which creates an oily film on the skin. This provides a fertile breeding ground for pimple-causing bacteria. As if we had signed up for a monthly subscription, these nasty visitors usually arrive 7-10 days before our period.
Care tip: Thorough, antibacterial cleansing is now the key word. Don't give bacteria a chance to penetrate your skin with the junglück cleansing oil in combination with our rose water . The junglück AHA peeling also helps you regulate sebum production and the junglück vitamin C serum offers antioxidant protection against unwanted intruders from outside. Give your natural acid mantle a helping hand, it needs it in this phase!
Day 22-28 Luteal phase, part 2
If the egg is successfully fertilized, the progesterone level continues to rise and new life is created. In this case, you can find a blog post about skin care during pregnancy here.
If you don't get pregnant, the progesterone in your blood drops quickly. If it falls below the concentration of estrogen, your monthly bleeding begins. This happens exactly 14 days after ovulation. Testosterone is at its peak. The rapid drop in progesterone concentration can push our skin further out of balance and cause skin irritation. We feel less comfortable in our skin and long for rest. Cravings, headaches and tiredness leave their mark on our face.
Care tip : There is strength in calmness! Don't overtax your skin, but treat yourself to relaxation! During this time we recommend our hyaluronic range again. A few splashes of rose water for a quick wellness moment in between!
And because it was so nice, let's start again and do another round!
[Mr]
Conclusion
If you are aware of the events of your cycle, you may be able to understand yourself and those around you better. I am in favor of us women definitely starting to live more with our inner cycle and less against it. It is a fact that these hormonal fluctuations take place within us month after month. They confuse us and sometimes make us feel as if we no longer understand the world. Once you have realized that this is completely normal and that there are phases in which you simply prefer to withdraw and others in which you are bursting with energy, then it can make your life a lot easier.
And since your skin is the largest organ in your body, it is of course not spared from the hustle and bustle of hormones.
Give yourself time. Give yourself peace. And above all, see the female cycle for what it is. A natural, beautiful and changing cycle that gives you the opportunity to rediscover yourself month after month. Be aware of yourself and be fair to yourself!
To all the wonderful women out there.
junglücksgefühle for everyone...
Your Sophia & Leonie
PS Take a look at our products. Maybe there is something there for you.
[Mr]