This is a guest blog by HC Approved! Editorial Intern Annie Maguire for Chrissy’s Beauty School.
As women, we obviously dread “that time of the month.” Getting your period means bloating, cramps, feeling tired, fighting off cravings and of course breaking out.
While Advil and a bag of chocolates may help to alleviate the symptoms of PMS, women often feel helpless against combating the inevitable acne, and as a college woman, you want to look your best whether you’re going to class or a formal party.
So if you’re tired of caking on extra concealer or avoiding your crush at a party because Mother Nature decided to turn your skin into Braille for the week, follow these five tips throughout the month so you’re never caught off guard.
1. Take your birth control regularly
Many people don’t realize this, but when you begin or abruptly end your regimen, this can upset the hormonal balance in your body and cause your face to break out. According to Womenshealth.gov, birth control pills can help to reduce oil gland activity, something that will also help keep your skin clear. Avoid missing your pill by setting an alert on your phone to remind you to take it at the same time every day. By maintaining a steady flow of hormones on a regular schedule, this will greatly reduce random breakouts.
2. Moisturize
There is a common misconception to constantly wash your face while simultaneously applying acne cream in order to treat or prevent break outs. This is a mistake (especially for those of us with dry, sensitive skin) because you are stripping oils from your skin by repeatedly washing your face and then applying acne creams, which are drying. Take a tip from Acnemythsetc.com and start moisturizing by applying a gentle facial moisturizer to balance out your skin. Try Cetaphil moisturizer; it’s fragrance free and as gentle as baby shampoo.
***Personal Tip: sometimes when I break out, I will skip the acne cream all together one night and JUST moisturize; when I awake, my face is clear and bright the next morning.
3. Ease up on the makeup
Whether it is your regular makeup routine or you are adding on extra to cover up blemishes, you should try to use as little as possible the week before and during your period. Because your skin is producing more oil during your cycle, using less makeup will help to reduce clogged pores and breakouts. Try switching to a non-comedogenic (oil-free) powder like Physicians Formula and washing your makeup brushes the week before your period to reduce buildup.
4. Eat a Balanced Diet
Stick to eating items with “calming” properties. According to AcneMagazine.com, drink a lot of water and avoid drinks with caffeine like coffee or soda; try chamomile or peppermint tea instead. AcneResource.org suggests eating foods that influence the factors that cause acne, such as hormones and recommends eating hormone-free meats and sticking to vegetables/fruits which are high in fiber and won’t cause your system to fluctuate.
5. Party Less
I know this rule sounds like no fun, but there is a method to the madness: when you go out drinking all weekend (usually 3 days in a row) you are dehydrating your body and skin for an extended period of time. Not only are you losing water, but usually losing sleep, ending your nights with greasy food and going to bed without washing your face. According to Natural-acne-solution.com, alcohol acts as an astringent to your skin and shrinks pores making them more prone to clogging. With this combination, you are practically inviting zits to camp out on your face. So if you are prone to breakouts before and during your period, skip the parties for one night, drink plenty of water, and don’t forget to wash your face!
http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/acne.cfm#5
http://www.acnemythsetc.com/moisturizer_and_acne.html
http://www.acnemagazine.com/preventing-breakout-before-perio/
http://www.acne-resource.org/understanding-acne/dietrole.html
http://www.natural-acne-solution.com/alcohol-acne.html