When skin care products fail to clear up your acne problems, it
is an indication that they could be a result of hormonal
imbalances. Below are some general guidelines on how to tell if
your complexion problems are hormonal:
- You
experience acne breakouts the week before your period, mostly on
the jaw line, chin and neck.
- Irregular periods and/or
excess hair on the face or body in addition to acne could signal
a hormonal disorder. Consult your doctor.
- Your skin
tends to feel much more sensitive during the fourth week of your
monthly menstrual cycle.
Keeping skin acne free
requires more than just diligent skincare. It is also a matter
of timing your skin care according to your monthly hormonal
surges. That is because monthly hormone fluctuations stimulate
the skin’s sebaceous glands to secrete oil. The more oil our
skin produces, the higher the possibility that acne problems
will arise.
THE HORMONAL CYCLE 101
last anywhere from 21 to 40 days. In the first week after your
period, your estrogen level increases, helping to keep skin
clear (estrogen is the hormone that helps keep oil glands in
check). When ovulation occurs around day 14 of your cycle,
progesterone (another hormone) starts to surge and your
potential for acne blemishes increases and peaks, just days
before your period. That is when you will experience oily skin
and acne breakouts.
WEEK-BY-WEEK SKINCARE
Week 1 (The cycle begins on the first day of
your period)
WHAT'S HAPPENING: Hormone levels are
at their monthly low. Skin may appear dull or it could be
recovering from premenstrual acne flare-ups.
WHAT
YOUR SKIN NEEDS: Regular and gentle care.
- Use
mild cleansers that contain soothing ingredients like Aloe,
Chamomile or Green Tea. While washing, massage your face gently
with the pads of your fingertips. Try Youthful Essentials
paraben-free Facial Cleanser.
- Concealers are your skin's
best friends this week. Choose an oil-free one that contains
Salicylic Acid or Sulphur, which can help to unclog pores.
for 10 minutes, an exfoliating mask will remove any flakiness on
the skin and have skin lightening effects on a dull complexion.
The moisturizing element will provide much needed extra skin
hydration.
- Treat lingering acne blemishes with acne
treatment products that contain Salicylic Acid or Tea Tree Oil.
m/4939465/5102178.htm">Try Diva Deva Acne Control Lotion
regularly and choose moisturizers that are oil-free or
comedogenic.
Week 2 (The week after your
period)
WHAT'S HAPPENING: As estrogen levels are
rising, your skin condition is at its peak with a clear and
balanced complexion.
WHAT YOUR SKIN NEEDS:
Maintenance and prevention
- For most skin types,
ranging from normal to combination skin, this is a good time for
professional pampering. Since your skin is not overly sensitive,
you can get a simple gentle facial.
- If you have very
sensitive skin, do not go for facials as this may have the
effects of over-stimulating your sensitive skin and cause
further problems. Opt for a simple regimen that consists of a
mild cleanser, sunscreen, moisturizer and a good acne treatment
product (if you still experience acne breakouts during this
week).
- Keep using the same mild cleansers you used in
Week 1 and make sure that you keep your skin clean and fresh by
washing your face twice a day. There is no need to carry out
excessive cleansing as this may strip your skin of its natural
sebum.
- Exfoliate your skin with exfoliating products
that contain skin "sloughers" like Glycolic acid, Lactic acid or
Salicylic Acid. However, if your skin is extremely sensitive,
you should avoid using such exfoliating products as they may
further sensitize your skin.
TIP: Always remove
make-up before going to bed. Sleeping with your make-up on can
cause pores to clog and trigger acne breakouts.
Week 3 (Ovulation)
WHAT'S HAPPENING: While
your estrogen levels peak, progesterone surges. These hormonal
fluctuations cause oily skin flare-ups and acne breakouts.
WHAT YOUR SKIN NEEDS: Acne blemishes battling treatments
and moderate exfoliation.
- Keep skin clean and
fresh by washing your face twice a day with a mild cleanser, in
the morning and in the night. Use an alcohol-free toner to
deep-cleanse your pores.
- During other times, cleanse
skin by using water only. Water is the natural healer for skin
and can calm your skin without stripping your skin of its
natural sebum.
- During Week 3 and Week 4, bring
oil-blotting pads with you to mop up excess oil for a matte
complexion.
- Pamper your skin with products that
8.htm">prevent acne blemishes. They usually contain
Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Benzyl Peroxide, Chlorhexidine
and Tea Tree Oil.
- Use an acne clearing mask this week.
For normal skin users, the mask can be used 2 times a week,
while sensitive skin users should only use it once a week.
TIP: Resist the urge to squeeze your pimples. Apply a
warm washcloth to the pimples for several minutes and follow
with an antibacterial Benzyl-Peroxide or Chlorhexidine
product.
Week 4 (The week before your
period)
WHAT'S HAPPENING: Your estrogen plummets
while progesterone continues to surge. Your skin is at its
oiliest and painful pimples, bumps or acne cysts flare up.
WHAT YOUR SKIN NEEDS: Tender, loving care.
-
Keep skin clean and fresh by washing your face twice a day with
a
0.htm ">mild cleanser, in the morning and in the night.
is the natural healer for skin and can calm your skin without
stripping your skin of its natural sebum.
- Treat your
acne blemishes with spot treatments, in the morning and in the
night.
- De-clog your pores by using an acne mask at
least twice this week. Sensitive skin users should only use an
acne mask once a week.
- Look for foundations that
contain Salicylic Acid, which will help clear pores. Also make
sure that your make-up is labeled non-comedogenic so that it
would not clog pores.
- Stay away from any sort of skin
trauma this week. No waxing, laser treatments,
micro-dermabrasion and facials. You are bound to experience
extra discomfort on the acne affected areas if you do.
to be getting worse, you should immediately consult a
dermatologist who can prescribe topical acne medication or oral
antibiotics.
About the author:
Spikes Spa Secrets
carries three lines of top quality skin care and anti-aging
products: Diva Deva, Youthful Essentials, and Pure Dead Sea
Minerals. On a periodic basis, Spike also send out newsletters
with tips and specials. You can
newsletter.html">sign up here.
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