As if your period isn’t painful enough, we have to add some hormonal acne into the mix! I can definitely empathize. Here are a few tips and products to try.
If you know your cycle, one week before you expect your period,
start using an acne wash and/or a medicated cream like Clearasil
on the areas of your face that typically breakout during your
period. For most women it’s the chin or jawline. Use a product
that’s gentle so as not to irritate your skin and make an
inevitable pimples worse. I like Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash
Cream Cleanser once a day (usually in the shower) and a gentle
2.5% benzoyl peroxide cream at night, like Neutrogena
On-The-Spot Acne Treatment. If you like a more botanical
approach, try Kiss My Face Organic Botanical Acne Gel with tea tree oil.
If you don’t know your cycle, preventing breakouts at that time
can be more challenging. You can still use the products I
mentioned, but you’d have to start at the first sign of a pimple
in the problem area.
The most valuable advice I give is be gentle with your skin.
Treat the affected areas gently and wait for the breakout to
clear. Don’t pick, squeeze, poke, or otherwise manipulate the
skin or the pimples unless you want scars and red blotches. As
hard as it is, use makeup lightly on the affected areas - makeup
piled onto pimples, even expertly applied, ends up looking worse
and more obvious than nothing at all.
Good luck!
