Menstrual Cycles + The Skin
As women start being more aware of their cycles, it’s important to understand the effects our hormones have on our skin, explains HANNAH SHENTON.
The skincare industry has long overlooked the importance of menstrual cycles on how the skin responds to certain treatments, products, and how the skin changes throughout the cycles. These natural changes are normal and can be beneficial when understood, when we know how to identify the traits associated with hormone-related skin changes, more personalised diagnoses and recommendations can be made, benefiting both clients and clinics.
There has been a huge rise in the discussion around cycles in recent years; menstrual cycles are no longer being seen as a mystery, in part, thanks to the rise of social media. There is huge potential for businesses to embrace cycles and for this to become the norm in the skincare industry.
Not only do oil and collagen production vary across the menstrual cycle, but seemingly random skin changes can also significantly impact confidence and these changes can be frustrating, especially when they aren’t understood. When we can identify how our skin is changing, and the causes, we may also be able to address underlying hormonal imbalances and make the necessary adjustments to promote healthier skin.
A little bit about Hormones:
Hormones produced by our endocrine system control nearly all the processes in our bodies such as metabolism, growth and development, emotions, moods, appetite, libido and sleep.
We produce over 50 different types of hormones, including oestrogen, testosterone, insulin, cortisol, serotonin and adrenaline. Each function in our body connects in some way; stress, for example, causes changes in the levels of other hormones in the body.
Reproductive hormones:
Normal hormone fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle impact mood, libido, sleep, weight, digestion, appetite, emotions and skin. When we look at symptoms daily, it can be hard to see any rhythm or pattern linking the reasons for these shifts, but once we consider that these changes happen each and every cycle, they can become quite predictable and easier to understand.
Symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle can tell us so much about your overall health and are a great indicator of when things are out of whack. When we begin to pay attention to the natural cyclical rhythms, we begin to appreciate this greatly misunderstood part of being a cyclical person.
“Symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle can tell us so much about your overall health and are a great indicator of when things are out of whack”
The Menstrual Cycle Phases:
The Follicular Phase: The time from the first day of menstruation until ovulation, this phase includes menstruation and the proliferative phase. Oestrogen gradually rises as an egg prepares to be released.
Menstruation: When the lining of the uterus sheds (the period). Levels of oestrogen and progesterone are low.
The Proliferative Phase: After the period and before ovulation, the uterine lining builds back up again.
Ovulation: The release of the egg from the ovary. Oestrogen peaks just beforehand, and then drops shortly afterwards.
The Luteal Phase: The time after ovulation and before the start of menstruation, when the body prepares for a possible pregnancy. The uterine lining produces chemicals that will either help support an early pregnancy or will prepare the lining to break down and shed if pregnancy doesn’t occur. In this phase, Progesterone is produced, peaks, and then drops.
Menstrual Cycles & Skin:
Oestrogen and Progesterone play key roles in the menstrual cycle and link directly with the skin’s overall appearance and health. Higher levels of Oestrogen is known to be linked with increased collagen, and increased progesterone is linked with higher skin sebum production. So, as hormones vary throughout the cycle, the skin changes in firmness and appearance. While menstruating, Oestrogen and Progesterone levels are at their lowest and circulation slows, leading to more dry and dull skin.
Oestrogen assists with the production of collagen as it increases approaching ovulation products and exfoliating, as the skin is less sensitive during this time. At Ovulation, skin can be prone to the occasional breakout around the chin and jawline, this can be due to sensitivity to the increased Oestrogen, but also can represent a hormone imbalance.
After ovulation is the Luteal Phase of the cycle, in this phase, progesterone production increases and the skin’s oil production rises. In the Luteal Phase, metabolism increases slightly, causing the Basal Body Temperature to rise and increase sweat production
which can lead to breakouts when paired with increased sebum. Additionally, in the Luteal Phase the immune system is slightly less active, which can lead to susceptibility to breakouts. As the body prepares for possible pregnancy, the immune system function slows so that if fertilisation occurs, an embryo would be able to implant in the uterus, otherwise, the immune system would fight off the embryo.
Things to consider:
• Menstrual cycles are impacted by stress, lifestyle, diet
and overall health, and if things are out of whack, such as experiencing irregular cycles, painful periods or PMS, it’s worth reaching out to a supportive naturopath or doctor that’s willing to get into the root cause of the problems.
• The hormonal contraceptive pill (HCP) is made of synthetic hormones that aim to prevent ovulation. Natural Progesterone production only happens after ovulation occurs, so it’s likely that the skin will not get that natural fluctuation in sebum production. Progesterone is essential for mood regulation, sleep and bone health, and the skin becomes more elastic and firm.
• The withdrawal bleed from taking the HCP is not a true period and is simply a withdrawal from the synthetic hormones. Skin will not change in the same way when on the HCP compared to having a natural cycle but it’s possible to still notice changes in the skin due to other factors such as dehydration, sleep quality, diet, lifestyle changes and other, non-cycle-related hormonal fluctuations.
“Progesterone is essential for mood regulation, sleep and bone health, and the skin becomes more elastic and firm.”
• Naturally, the menstrual cycle hormones fluctuate, and so having “balanced” hormones may come across as having the same levels of hormones all cycle long. However, having balanced hormones across the menstrual cycle means that the hormones are appropriately ebbing and flowing – there isn’t too much of any particular hormones affecting the natural course of the cycle and giving rise to unwanted symptoms such as hormonal acne, pain, cramping and low moods.
Cycle Tracking:
Tracking cycles can be a crucial aspect of taking care of your health, many people in the health sector are beginning to refer to the menstrual cycle as a “fifth vital sign”. Our menstrual cycles give us a huge amount of information on our overall health, such as if we are over or under-exercising, oestrogen or progesterone dominant. Just as hormones play such a huge role in skin health, our skin is a visual clue to our cycle health, and therefore our overall health.
Hannah Shenton is the creator of Hart Skincare, Australia’s only menstrual cycle-focussed skincare brand.
hartskincare.com.au
As featured in Spa + Clinic