Understanding the delicate connection between skin health and hormones.
From the onset of puberty to pregnancy, post-partum, perimenopause and menopause, our hormones experience a range of transitions that impact more than just our mood. Combined with high stress, poor diet and inadequate sleep, these fluctuations can trigger a number of frustrating skin issues. Here’s what we can do to best support our skin through each of life’s seasons.
Back to basics
Hormones play a major role in regulating a range of physiological processes in the body including metabolism, development, reproduction and our stress response. When it comes to our skin however, there are three main hormones responsible for the way our skin looks and feels: estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Each performs a unique function, which can help us better understand the hormone-skin connection. Estrogen maintains and stimulates collagen and elastin, thereby helping keep our skin plump and firm, while progesterone causes increased oil production. Testosterone activates the sebaceous glands, which produces the oil, and can lead to increased breakouts and acne.
Links to your cycle
The appearance of your skin can change dramatically based on where you’re at in your menstrual cycle. As our hormone levels fluctuate, we can experience a range of different skin outcomes in the space of just a week. Typically, the first six days see estrogen, progesterone and testosterone remain quite low, meaning your skin could look slightly dull and feel dry. Increasing your moisturiser during this time might help your skin feel dewier and more nourished. Where possible, try to avoid anything that could irritate your skin during at this point in your cycle.
In the days that follow, focus on exfoliation and the removal of those dead skin cells. During days 12-16, your estrogen will be at its highest (just before ovulation), so your skin will look its healthiest at this time. Let your natural beauty shine through. From days 17-24, you’ll find your estrogen levels begin to fade away and progesterone takes over. This could lead to increased oiliness and a breakout or two. To help ward off any potential pimples or blemishes, consider a skin routine that focuses on deep cleansing.
Finally, the last days of your cycle (and right before everything starts all over again) should be a time to monitor for breakouts. Your testosterone will be high, and those pores will be clogged, so focus your efforts on products that will allow you to completely cleanse the skin.
Baby on board
Considering everything our skin goes through during menstruation, it comes as no surprise that pregnancy is another skin journey entirely. During this time, you’ll experience increased levels of estrogen and progesterone, which can cause various skin changes including melasma on the face, stretch marks on the body, acne and even increased sensitivity. If you already suffer from hyperpigmentation, you may notice this increases during your pregnancy. Patches of melasma could appear along your forehead, upper lips, cheeks and even nose. Whether you’re pregnant or not, you can try to prevent or limit flares of your hyperpigmentation by avoiding the sun where possible, limiting your exposure to heat, and applying a pregnancy-safe sunscreen each day. This is particularly important when pregnant as you want to avoid any harsh chemicals. Stick to gentle moisturisers and cleansers instead.
Stepping into perimenopause
What a weird and often confusing time this can be. During this transition into perimenopause, you may notice your skin is slightly uneven in tone and texture and might even be extra sensitive to products or the sun. This can be caused by a drop in estrogen, which impacts sebum and hyaluronic acid production. Introducing Vitamin C, niacinamide and retinoids into your routine may help skin that’s starting to age and becoming less predictable.
Entering a new era
For those currently in menopause, you may find your collagen stores start to fade, your skin becomes dryer, and facial hair starts to appear along the jawline area. During this time, your estrogen will start decreasing, which can lead to dry or thin skin, the emergency of new age spots and increased sagging and wrinkles. Thankfully, there are things we can do to counteract these less than desirable outcomes. Continue to protect your skin from the sun, consider incorporating products into your routine that include retinol and peptides (which can increase collagen production), avoid moisturisers with added fragrances as these can cause irritation. Importantly, do your best to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This means a balanced diet, the right amount of sleep, sufficient hydration and minimum stress. Together, this will help to keep your skin as happy and healthy for as long as possible.
