Hormones, Your Skin And Why Your Face Has a Mind of Its Own
- Emmaline Tsui
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and wondered why your skin seems to be going through an existential crisis, you can probably blame hormones. These tiny chemical messengers control everything from mood swings to metabolism, and yes—your skin’s good and bad days.
One minute, you’re glowing like a dewy goddess, the next, you’re battling breakouts, dullness, or dryness. The reason? Your hormones are in a constant state of flux, and your skin is simply along for the ride.
Let’s break it all down and—more importantly—talk about what you can do to keep your skin happy, no matter what your hormones throw at you.
The Menstrual Cycle and Your Skin Is A Month-Long Rollercoaster
If you’re still menstruating, your skin is basically on a hormonal merry-go-round, changing week by week. Here’s what’s happening under the surface and how you can work with your skin rather than against it.
Days 1-5: The Follicular Phase (AKA: The 'Why Is My Face So Dull?' Stage)
What’s happening? Oestrogen and progesterone are at their lowest, and your skin may look dull, dehydrated, or slightly more sensitive than usual.
What to do? Focus on deep hydration and barrier repair. This is when your skin needs extra nourishment to keep moisture levels up.
Try:
Forlle’d Basing Emulsion – A light yet powerful emulsion that restores moisture, strengthens the skin barrier, and gives a glass-skin finish.
Nimue Hyaluronic Oil – The first oil-soluble hyaluronic acid, delivering intense hydration and comfort to dry skin.
Both these products help to lock in moisture, protect against dehydration, and leave your skin feeling soft, supple, and luminous.
Days 6-14: The Oestrogen Phase (Your Skin’s 'Good Hair Day' Equivalent)
What’s happening? Oestrogen levels rise, boosting collagen production and increasing hydration. Skin appears firmer, plumper, and naturally radiant.
What to do? Maintain hydration and protect your skin from environmental damage to keep that glow intact.
Try:
Nimue Sun-C SPF 40 – A lightweight, broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UV damage while offering anti-ageing benefits.
Your skin is thriving during this phase, so your main focus should be protection—UV exposure is the fastest way to break down collagen, so SPF is non-negotiable.
Days 14-28: The Luteal Phase (The 'Why Am I Breaking Out Like a Teenager?' Stage)
What’s happening? Progesterone spikes, increasing oil production and making skin more prone to congestion, blackheads, and breakouts—especially around the chin and jawline.
What to do? Keep your pores clear with gentle exfoliation and introduce targeted treatments to prevent breakouts.
Try:
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Peel Pads (Use up to 2x per week) – A powerful yet gentle blend of lactic, glycolic, and salicylic acids that exfoliates, smooths, and brightens skin.
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Clearing Serum – Balances skin clarity, reduces excess oil, and improves overall tone and texture.
Meder Eu-Seb Beauty Mask – A mattifying, anti-acne mask infused with chamomile, green tea, and algae to calm inflammation, detoxify, and tighten pores.
During this time, your skin may be more reactive, so balancing active treatments with soothing ingredients is key. Or why not treat yourself to a facial to give you a glow.
Tracking Your Cycle for Better Skin Health
Understanding your cycle can help you plan your skincare routine more effectively, ensuring you’re giving your skin exactly what it needs at the right time. I personally use Natural Cycles, which allows you to track your cycle and note repeating patterns in your skin month by month. It’s a great way to spot trends and adjust your skincare accordingly.
Get 20% off Natural Cycles + a free thermometer here
To make things even easier, I pair my Oura Ring with Natural Cycles—this automatically tracks temperature changes, making cycle tracking effortless and accurate.
Get 10% off the Oura Ring here
Remember To Work With Your Hormones, Not Against Them
Your skin isn’t betraying you—it’s simply responding to the hormonal shifts happening inside your body. Instead of fighting it, adjust your skincare routine to meet your skin’s needs at each stage.
And remember, good skincare isn’t just about throwing actives at every problem. Focus on barrier support, hydration, and consistency. When in doubt, less is more.
If you’re unsure how your skin changes throughout your cycle or need help fine-tuning your routine, my Skin Check-In is the perfect place to start. It’s a completely free service—no Zoom calls, no appointments needed. Simply fill out a quick form, and I’ll personally review your skin concerns and send you an email (or two) with everything you need to know.
💡 Get your free Skin Check-In here
Thank you so much for reading,
Emmaline
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