May 10, 2022
Hormones and our skin: How does the skin change during the cycle?
by Lena Severin
Maybe you've noticed it yourself: your skin looks different depending on the phase of your cycle, is sometimes more, sometimes less sensitive, reacts with blemishes or dryness. Such fluctuations have nothing to do with your skin type, but with the different hormones that regulate all of your body's processes with your cycle. And that includes our largest organ: the skin. But how exactly can the cycle affect the skin? How does the skin change over the course of the cycle? And most importantly: what care helps you meet the different needs of your skin in the phases of your cycle? We'll explain that to you in this article.
- First things first: The basic rules of skin care
- How to: Your skin throughout the cycle
- Cycle phase 1: menstrual phase
- Cycle phase 2: follicular phase
- Cycle phase 3: ovulation phase
- Cycle phase 4: Luteal phase
- The skin throughout the cycle – observe your needs
1. First things first: The basic rules of skin care
If you already know JUNGLÜCK a little better, you know that skin care is a holistic matter. It's not just about the right care, but also about a balanced lifestyle. Nevertheless, we never tire of explaining the basics of skin care. Because to provide the best possible support for your skin, there is no one miracle product that will solve all skin problems. It all comes down to the right combination of products that are right for you.
So take a look in your bathroom cabinet and look closely at the ingredients. Because there are often more bad things in cosmetics than meets the eye. A cleansing gel or foam, for example, can irritate your skin with aggressive surfactants, dry it out severely and thus attack your entire skin barrier. Paraffins, parabens, silicones, microplastics and bad alcohols should ideally have no place in your bathroom and certainly not on your skin. So take a close look and do your research. If you're a bit lost when it comes to all the INCI names, it's worth taking a look at our guide to cosmetic ingredients .
2. How to: Your skin throughout the cycle
2.1 Cycle phase 1: menstrual phase
(approx. day 1 to day 5)
Products:
Hyaluron Concentrate
Hemp oil mask
Calendula facial toner
During our period, our hormones are basically at their lowest level. The skin works a little slower, the metabolism slows down. What does that mean in concrete terms? It looks drier than usual, the complexion looks rather dull and pale. Depending on your disposition, your skin can also be more sensitive than usual during this time. Take a little more care of yourself and your skin during this time. To give it the moisture it needs, you can apply the hyaluronic acid concentrate in the morning and evening after cleansing. Hyaluron has the wonderful property of penetrating particularly deeply into the skin and binding moisture there. Ideal for counteracting dryness and making your complexion radiant again. The hemp oil mask is ideal for taking a break in between. This not only gives the skin a break, but also the head. The calendula facial toner soothes the skin and provides it with moisture. Simply spray onto cleansed skin in the morning and evening and allow it to work gently.
To avoid redness, try not to touch your face, pat your face gently instead of rubbing it dry with a towel and make sure you use the mildest skin care products possible that don't irritate your skin unnecessarily. The last tip is always worth its weight in gold, regardless of your cycle, especially when it comes to facial cleansing. Cleansing oil or gel gently but thoroughly removes deposits and all the dirt of the day.
2.2 Cycle phase 2: follicular phase
(approx. day 6 to day 12)
Products:
AHA peeling
The estrogen level slowly rises again and gets our skin going again. The metabolism starts up again and the skin regenerates faster. This is therefore the ideal time to support it in its renewal. The best way to do this is with fruit acid peels, for example the AHA peel. Mechanical peels, i.e. brushes, sponges, cloths, etc., should be used with extreme caution or not at all on your face outside of a visit to your beautician. They can cause micro-injuries in the skin, which makes it easy for bacteria to grow and can cause inflammation. The AHA peel gently peels overnight without rubbing, moisturizes, provides noticeably more elasticity and stimulates collagen production. This means fresh, plump and radiant skin!
2.3 Cycle phase 3: ovulation phase
(approx. day 13 to day 15)
Products:
Vitamin C Serum
Antioxidant Mask
Antioxidant ampoules
The peak of the estrogen level is reached. The skin seems to glow as if by itself and blemishes are less or no longer to be found. The skin appears to be well moisturized. Now it is all about supporting the skin in order to strengthen the skin's protective barrier for the coming phase and to take this beautiful, natural glow with you. With your vitamin C serum (intensive or sensitive) you have a daily companion that stimulates collagen production and evens out your complexion. The antioxidant ampoules or the antioxidant mask are wonderfully suitable as a supplement to your care during the ovulation phase. Both contain a powerful combination of antioxidants that protect your skin from free radicals from the environment that can otherwise lead to cell damage in the skin. If your skin has been able to build up its outer protective shield with the important nutrients and lipids, it is also as well prepared as possible for the next phase of the cycle.
2.4 Cycle phase 4: Luteal phase
(approx. day 16 to day 28)
Products:
Pimple paste
BHA peeling
Clay Mask
Zinc facial toner
The testosterone level rises. This also stimulates sebum production, which is the basis for pimples, blackheads, etc. The skin looks greasier, the pores become increasingly clogged, which leads to blackheads. When these then become inflamed, pimples form. Impurities are not bad at all per se and are completely natural. So we shouldn't curse them, after all they show us what our body is doing with all the hormones. Impurities are nothing more than a sign that something is happening in the body and this is something that needs to be researched. They are only problematic because your skin is unprotected in that area and bacteria and viruses can penetrate more easily. So caring for impurities is about getting the inflammation under control and repairing the skin's protective barrier. You can use the pimple paste to treat the impurities in specific areas. The zinc oxide it contains has an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect and inhibits the inflammatory reaction. In combination with the soothing blue chamomile oil, the pimple paste ensures a faster healing process. What you should definitely avoid when it comes to blemishes is irritating your skin with aggressive peeling brushes, salts or grains. This can only make the skin more sensitive and lead to even more inflammation. Fruit acid peels, such as the BHA peel, gently cleanse the pores overnight. The BHA peel has an anti-inflammatory effect, penetrates deep into the skin and gently frees it of deposits, dead skin cells and dirt. This accelerates the healing process and reduces the development of new inflammation. If you use the BHA peel in the evening, you can apply the zinc facial toner in the morning after cleansing. It has an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and sebum-regulating effect.
The clay mask is particularly suitable for 15 minutes of inner relaxation in this phase. Many people experience these mood swings and whirlwinds of thoughts every month. A few minutes of extensive self-care time can provide some relief and pamper your skin at the same time. Clay (kaolin) is known for its sebum-regulating and anti-inflammatory effects. Zinc PCA and organic willow bark extract support healing and help to unclog your pores. If you want to increase the cleansing effect a little more, you can gently massage the very fine-grained texture in with damp hands after the exposure time.
3. The skin throughout the cycle – observe your needs
It is important that you understand yourself and your body better. Our cycle not only affects our skin or our internal processes, but also our mood, thought structure and how we perceive the world around us. Knowing which phase you are in helps you better understand how you feel and experience. And of course it gives you the opportunity to give yourself exactly what you need at that moment. Whether that is skin care, habits, food or activities.
A great way to not only get to know your own cycle, but also to track it is the Ovy app . You use the basal thermometer to measure your temperature every morning. The result is automatically saved in the app and you can enter a variety of other factors that affect your cycle. From disruptive factors such as stress, to illnesses, period problems and even whether your skin, hair or mood are changing. The app calculates your fertile days very precisely and tracks your other symptoms and influencing factors for you. This way you can not only understand your cycle better and get an accurate feeling for your body and mind, but also use the app and the thermometer for contraception or family planning.
© Ovy
Take your time and listen carefully to yourself.