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Period acne: Causes and tips to prevent it

Along with period cramps, mood swings and bloating, acne can make your period worst. Check out causes and tips to prevent acne during periods.

Published on: Sep 28, 2022, 20:15:10 IST
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Everyone despises cramping during their period. However, bloating, cramps, mood swings, and acne can all worsen period pain. A fluctuation in hormone levels is also responsible for your moodiness, sore breasts, and other PMS-related symptoms, in addition to acne. Your hormone levels change throughout your menstrual cycle. This may cause acne flare-ups to occur during your period. Menstrual acne is a monthly outbreak of pimples that occurs at the same time as menstruation. Premenstrual flare-ups are reported by 63% of acne-prone women, according to research in the Archives of Dermatology. They often appear seven to ten days before the start of a woman's period and disappear as soon as bleeding starts. (Also read: Bacne: What is it and how can you get rid of it )

Period acne: Causes and tips to prevent it (freepik)
Period acne: Causes and tips to prevent it (freepik)

Acne Specialist, Sera Young, suggested causes and tips to prevent acne during periods in her Instagram post.

Causes of period acne:

Menstrual phase: During menstruation, your estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest which may lead to dryness, dull skin, and make wrinkles appear more prominent.

Follicular Phase: This phase is the first 10-16 days of your cycle. Your estrogen levels are going to slowly start to rise to create a very beautiful glow. Your estrogen levels will start to peak in this phase and your testosterone will slowly start to rise which will increase moisture and collagen production.

Ovulation: Ovulation will occur around the 14-day mark. Your skin will appear healthy until your Testosterone and Estrogen begin to decrease. Then, your Progesterone levels will increase causing oil production to occur within the skin. This phase will be critical to your skin as you will be more prone to bacteria overgrowth and acne.

Luteal Phase: It is the phase most women will complain about acne or skin changes with. This is the premenstrual cycle and is known to cause hormone imbalances. Your skin will see an influx of oil, swelling, inflammation, and irritation.

Skin care tips for different phases of periods:

Menstrual phase: In this phase it is recommended to make hydration your first goal and keep it gentle. This will help keep your skin from getting dehydrated or dry. Along with promoting a healthy barrier.

Follicular Phase: Your skin will be at its healthiest in this phase so keep up with a good routine and use exfoliation.

Ovulation: In this phase have good hygiene, focus on products that can fight against acne, and keep it hydrated.

Luteal Phase: The best thing you can do is work on your internal health by eating well (foods rich in fiber), minimising sugar and caffeine intake, light makeup, having a good routine that you stick to, and icing.

Signs of period acne:

  • Comes and goes with your period
  • Found mainly on the chin and jaw
  • Inflamed lesions
  • Seen in Adults and Teens
  • Comes in a perfect cycle

How to help period acne:

  • Follow a good skin care regimen and maintain healthy diet
  • See a hormone specialist in case of hormone imbalance
  • Get a hair scan
  • Make sure you take proper vitamins and supplements
  • See a doctor if you suspect endometriosis, PCOS, or thyroid issues

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  • Akanksha Agnihotri
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Akanksha Agnihotri

    Akanksha Agnihotri is a lifestyle journalist with over 3 years of experience. She is a psychology graduate and holds a postgraduate diploma in Radio and Television Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi, where she graduated as a gold medalist. Originally from Bhopal, the beautiful capital of Madhya Pradesh, she draws inspiration from the city’s rich cultural heritage and layered storytelling traditions that subtly shape her narrative voice. She writes extensively about fashion, beauty, health, relationships, culture, and food, exploring everything from trending styles and runway moments to wellness routines and mindful living. Passionate about meaningful and candid conversations, she enjoys interviewing celebrities, doctors, designers, and film personalities, diving into discussions on fitness, beauty, mental health, and everything fun in between. With a keen eye for trends and a thoughtful understanding of human behaviour, she brings depth, sensitivity, and authenticity to her stories, ensuring they resonate with a wide and diverse audience. When she’s not working, you’ll usually find her lost in a book, planning her next mountain trek, or mapping out spontaneous travel escapes. She loves discovering new authors, revisiting old favourites, and spending quiet afternoons in museums soaking in art, history, and culture. An avid bird-watching enthusiast, she finds joy in early morning walks, spotting rare birds, and reconnecting with nature. Whether sipping coffee while journaling her thoughts or exploring hidden corners of a new city, she constantly seeks inspiration in everyday moments that often turn into compelling story ideas.Read More

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