How the menstrual cycle affects the skin
“Depending on the type of contraception used, hormonal or not, not all women experience the same sensitivity to their cycle,” explains Dr. Nina Roos, dermatologist. “Those who don’t take hormones may indeed feel their skin fluctuate. It’s drier at the beginning of the cycle and then becomes oilier due to the drop in estrogen in the second half of the cycle. Small pimples and blemishes are then located on the lower part of the face.”
The right approach: anticipate imbalances by adapting your routine over the weeks . Here is an example based on an average 28-day cycle, comparable to the lunar cycle, whose hormonal peaks correspond to the ascending and descending phases.
Of course, we are not all perfectly aligned with the moon, but we often come close to it when we are in good health, which has a direct impact on the body and emotions.
As a reminder: the menstrual cycle can vary from woman to woman, ranging from 23 to 35 days, as we explained in the article " Disrupted Menstrual Cycle" "
Beginning of cycle, from day 1 to day 14: pampering treatments
During and just after menstruation, when estrogen and progesterone levels are at their lowest, the epidermis can be drier and more uncomfortable, and therefore become duller.
In the bathroom
To get a beautiful glow, avoid harsh exfoliants like mechanical scrubs with grains or peel-off masks, and opt instead for a gentle fruit acid exfoliant, once a week at most. On the other hand, double your daily moisturizing routine.
To do: Use a more intensive serum or add a booster to your day cream to stimulate your skin. Once or twice a week, perform a gentle enzymatic exfoliation followed by a good hydrating mask.
The result: with a regenerated epidermis, you maintain an optimal hydration level in preparation for the upcoming ovulation.
Time for yourself
“Conducive to creative visualization, the first phase associated with the New Moon is the time to look at oneself with kindness and repeat positive mantras. The feelings of warmth, affection, gratitude, and connection that accompany kindness generate oxytocin in the body, reducing oxidative stress and delaying skin aging,” explains Melody Szymczak in her book “How to Become a Cosmic Girl” (published by Hachette).
To do: it's time to book a yin yoga, kundalini or shiatsu session and drink a good infusion made from yarrow - helps soothe period pains -, sage - brings its benefits on hormonal changes -, verbena - soothes digestive pains - and nettle leaves, naturally rich in iron, which help compensate for the loss due to bleeding.
The key takeaway: "The waxing moon helps maintain hope and gives courage," explains Mélody Szymczak. "This is a favorable time to resume physical activity and make it a permanent part of your daily routine, or to quit smoking, begin a dietary rebalancing, or start a course of dietary supplements."
Our dosage: Atelier Nubio food supplements, made with plant-based active ingredients, easily integrate into a daily routine and work from within to heal and beautify the skin. Now is the time to anticipate the imbalances that come with your period with the Skin Detox duo. It combines the capsules in synergy. We want rose petal skin . (detoxify and act specifically on hormonal acne) and Microbiota & Skin capsules (composed exclusively of probiotics that target the gut-skin axis to reduce inflammation).
Around ovulation, day 14: good drainage
Estrogen and progesterone levels are at their peak. This can lead to feelings of restlessness, an overflow of emotions, intrusive thoughts, and so on—a time that calls for us to press pause. For those whose ovulation coincides with the Full Moon, this is even more pronounced.
In the bathroom:
Water retention is observed in the body during the week preceding the full moon. It is then necessary to eliminate this excess fluid and flush out toxins.
To do: focus on lymphatic drainage massages to prevent swelling. An hour before bedtime, burn purifying sage and then soak in a bath to which you've added detoxifying and regenerating organic Himalayan pink salt.
The result: extracted from salt rocks dating back millions of years, this raw, unrefined and non-iodized salt is packed with trace elements.
Time for yourself:
Slow, slow, slow…
To do: it's time to meditate and go within to take stock of the previous weeks, see what we have gained, what serves us and what hinders us.
The key takeaway: even if all our projects didn't come to fruition in 15 days, we at least became aware of our expectations and the strengths we possess. Because we are more attuned to our emotions, this awareness is easier.
End of cycle, between day 14 and day 28: the purification phase
"After the elimination process triggered by ovulation, it is not uncommon to see imperfections appear due to excessive sebum production ," explains the dermatologist.
In the bathroom
Now is the time to support the purification process.
To do: Apply a detoxifying mask made with brewer's yeast, or a mattifying white clay mask to dry skin, and be sure to replenish essential fatty acids afterward. "If you have a real tendency toward acne, now is the time to intensify your treatment with a specific serum for adult acne, which also contains anti-aging ingredients for a more comprehensive action," advises Dr. Nina Roos. "Use it intensively, morning and evening, throughout the second half of your cycle."
The key takeaway: during this waning moon phase, cleansing protocols such as exfoliation or seaweed or mud wraps are more effective and act at deeper levels.
Our dosage: During this period, avoid sugar and fat, which tend to accelerate breakouts, and drink even more water and herbal teas to promote toxin elimination. We recommend taking the "We want a harmonious cycle" ampoules. To soothe your premenstrual symptoms. The powerful plants in its formula – chaste tree, sage, St. John's wort, blackcurrant – alleviate physical and psychological premenstrual symptoms.
Time for yourself
We release the pressure; this slowdown phase is conducive to rebalancing, and without guilt! A comforting vegetable soup or a Bone Broth broth will do us much more good than an intense workout.
Cycle thinking: 3 tips to stick to this program without pressure
- Download an app like Flow or Clue to track your different cycle phases.
- Always note the date of your next period in your professional diary to avoid an unpleasant meeting or an intense workout in the days leading up to it.
- Keep your lunar calendar, a circle divided into approximately 28 days where you can write down your moods, your appetite and your desires.
