You know the feeling all too well. Your skin is calm and clear for a week or two, and then, right on cue, the deep, painful pimples appear along your jawline and chin. You’ve tried every harsh treatment and skincare fad, only for the cycle to repeat itself month after month. A frustrating experience can leave you feeling powerless against your own skin.
Here at Glow by Hormone University, we get it because we’ve been there. Our brand was born from our founder's personal, years-long battle with hormonal acne and melasma . Her breakthrough came when she stopped fighting her body and started listening to it, realizing the profound link between her skin and her hormonal cycle . A "one-size-fits-all" approach doesn't work for hormonal breakouts. You need a hormonal acne treatment plan that works with your hormones, not against them .
A cycle-based skincare routine is about working smarter, not harder. A method provides your skin with what it needs during each of the menstrual cycle phases, helping you prevent hormonal breakouts before they even start.
Why Hormonal Acne Happens During Menstrual Cycle Phases
Your skin doesn't act the same way every day because your hormones aren't the same every day. The key players are estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Fluctuations in these hormones throughout your cycle directly impact your skin's oil production, hydration, and sensitivity.
- Estrogen: Promotes collagen production, hydration, and skin barrier function. When estrogen is high, your skin tends to look its best—plump and glowing.
- Progesterone: Rises after ovulation. A hormone stimulates oil (sebum) production and can cause your pores to swell shut, creating the perfect environment for hormonal pimples.
- Testosterone: While levels stay relatively constant, its effects become more prominent when estrogen and progesterone are low (like during your period). Testosterone also boosts sebum production.
How to apply:
Knowing about these shifts is the key to creating an effective period acne routine.
Skin Care Routine for Clear Skin in Each Cycle Phase
A cycle syncing skincare approach tailors your routine to the specific needs of your skin during each of the four menstrual cycle phases.
Menstrual Phase (Approx. Days 1-7): Skin Care for Sensitive Skin
What’s happening: Your period has started. Estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest levels. Your skin's barrier is weaker, making it dry, dull, and sensitive. Any hormonal breakouts from the previous week are likely still healing.
Your Skincare Focus: Soothe, hydrate, and be gentle. Use products free of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals. A time for skin care for sensitive skin.
- Cleansing: Swap out foaming cleansers for one of the best cleansers for acne that is also gentle, like a milky or cream-based formula. Over-stripping your skin now will only cause more irritation.
- Hydration: Focus on ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides to repair your skin barrier. A rich, gentle moisturizer is your best friend.
- Avoid: Now is not the time for harsh exfoliants or trying new, active products. Avoid aggressive treatments for period breakouts and focus on healing.
Follicular Phase (Approx. Days 7-14): Best Skin Care for Breakouts Prevention
What’s happening: Your period is over, and your body is preparing for ovulation. Estrogen is rising, so your skin is starting to build collagen and look plumper and glowier. Your skin is at its most resilient during this phase.
Your Skincare Focus: Maintain, protect, and glow. The best skin care for breakouts during this phase is all about prevention.
- Exfoliation: You can reintroduce a gentle chemical exfoliant (like one with lactic or glycolic acid) a couple of times a week to keep pores clear and enhance your glow.
- Hydration: Your skin might not feel as dry, so you can switch to a lighter moisturizer.
- Support Skin Barrier: Continue to support your skin barrier to prepare for the hormonal shifts to come. A strong barrier is your best defense against future hormonal pimples.
Ovulation (Approx. Days 14-16): Skin Care Products for Breakouts
What’s happening: Estrogen peaks, and a surge in luteinizing hormone triggers ovulation. A spike in testosterone can also occur, leading to an increase in oil production. Your skin is radiant but is on the cusp of becoming breakout-prone.
Your Skincare Focus: Deep clean and protect. Your goal is to manage the extra oil to prevent clogged pores.
- Cleansing: A good face wash for hormonal breakouts during this phase will effectively remove excess oil without stripping the skin.
- Masking: A clay mask can be a great tool to absorb excess sebum and prevent the skin breakouts that are common post-ovulation.
- Non-Comedogenic Formulas: Ensure all your skin care products for breakouts are labeled "non-comedogenic," meaning they won't clog your pores.
Luteal Phase (Approx. Days 17-28): Luteal Phase Skin Care for Hormonal Breakouts
What’s happening: The main event for hormonal acne. Progesterone levels rise, making your skin oilier and pores more likely to clog. Inflammation is also higher. A combination creates the perfect storm for deep, cystic breakouts before the period.
Your Skincare Focus: De-congest, calm inflammation, and support your system from the inside out.
- Deep Cleansing: Be diligent with your cleansing routine. A cleanser with salicylic acid can be one of the best cleansers for acne during this phase, as it exfoliates inside the pore.
- Anti-Inflammatory Care: A is the time to focus on calming inflammation. Look for ingredients like niacinamide or green tea.
- Holistic Support: Your period acne routine shouldn't just be about your face. The hormonal breakouts on your chin are often a reflection of what's happening internally. Supporting your body's hormonal balance is a crucial part of hormonal acne treatment. Our Period SOS Cream is designed for this. A formula contains Vitex to help balance hormones like estrogen and progesterone, and Marshmallow Root for its anti-inflammatory effects . Applying a cream like this to your lower abdomen daily during the luteal phase can help address the root cause of your hormonal pimples .
Cycle Syncing Diet and Lifestyle Tips for Fewer Skin Breakouts
A true dermatologist recommended skin care approach is holistic. What you do beyond your bathroom sink matters immensely.
Manage Stress
Stress increases cortisol, which can drive even more oil production and inflammation, making hormonal acne worse. Prioritizing stress management is a non-negotiable hormonal acne treatment.
- Create a Ritual: A simple evening ritual can work wonders. Try massaging our Super Rich Magnesium Body Lotion into your arms and legs. Magnesium is a master mineral for calming the nervous system and promoting restful sleep, and our topical formula absorbs quickly .
- Soothing Heat: For cramping and tension that often accompany the pre-menstrual phase, our All-Natural Flaxseed and Lavender Pad provides soothing heat and a calming scent to help you unwind .
Support Your Gut
Your skin is often a mirror of your gut health. A cycle syncing diet that is low in inflammatory foods and rich in fiber can help. To give your system an extra boost, our Bloating SOS drink mix supports liver detoxification and improves your gut microbiome with digestive enzymes and Milk Thistle, helping to clear skin breakouts from the inside out .
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the very first sign of hormonal acne?
The earliest signs are often deep, tender bumps that appear on the lower third of the face, like the chin and jawline. Unlike other pimples, hormonal pimples tend to be cystic and show up in a cyclical pattern each month.
Q: Why is my acne worse on one side of my face?
A can be due to simple things like holding your phone to one side of your face or your sleeping position. However, for hormonal acne, the location can often feel random and is more related to internal hormonal shifts than external factors.
Q: How is your Period SOS cream different from a spot treatment?
Spot treatments typically use harsh ingredients to dry out existing pimples. Our Period SOS Cream is a hormonal acne treatment that works differently. A formula uses ingredients like Vitex and Wild Yam to help balance hormones and reduce inflammation, addressing the root cause to prevent hormonal breakouts from forming in the first place .
Q: Can I use your products if I'm on birth control?
Yes, our products use hormone-safe ingredients and can support your skin even while on hormonal contraception. A cycle-based skincare routine can help manage any residual skin breakouts. A conversation with your doctor is always a good idea when adding new products to your routine.
Q: How long until I see results from a cycle-based routine?
While you might notice your skin feels better right away, it typically takes 2-3 full cycles to see a significant reduction in hormonal acne. Consistency is the most important part of any skin care routine for clear skin.
Working with your body's natural rhythm is the most sustainable path to clear skin. A cycle-based skincare routine gives you the power to anticipate your skin's needs, preventing hormonal breakouts before they happen and giving you the tools to finally achieve a lasting, healthy glow.
Ready to understand your body better? Take our online medical assessment to check your symptoms and get 10% off your order.