Having a period is hard. Cramps, bloating, mood swings, increased appetite… But that’s not where it ends! Unfortunately, most of us will also experience recurring breakouts that happen just a few days before our period starts. If you are one of these women, and you wonder: ‘Why do I break out right before my period?’ then this is the article for you. And we’ll not only explain the reason behind it. We will also give you tips on preventing these annoying pimples from ever appearing on your face!

As with everything else, hormones are to blame

It’s no surprise that just like with everything else in our lives, hormones are to blame for this as well. Your androgen levels will increase right before you get your period. When our hormones are out of whack, our skin pays the price. Our sebaceous glands will start working overtime, and you might notice that your skin overall seems oilier and more congested, and some of us will even get hormonal cystic acne. That’s because the oil, dead skin cells, and other impurities that lie on top of our skin, in addition to the increased androgen hormones, just make our skin freak out and, eventually, break out. These spots most commonly appear around your chin, mouth, and jawline just a few days before your period is about to begin. And these spots aren’t only reserved for teenagers. If you are a woman who is still getting her period, you can get these breakouts too.

Other factors that can increase the risk of hormonal breakouts

While hormonal changes are the most significant factor that contributes to these monthly breakouts, other things can make it worse. You have heard this at least a million times before. But if you pick on your skin and try to squeeze out your existing pimples, you are just asking for a skin disaster. Please don’t touch your face! The dirt that is on your hands is going to clog up your pores and cause inflammation. Before taking any steps in your skincare routine, make sure that your hands (and nails) are as clean as possible. But dirty hands aren’t the only thing that could clog up your pores. Make sure your hats, headbands, makeup brushes and sponges, pillowcases, and any other items that come into contact with your face are as clean as possible.

What can I do to prevent hormonal acne?

While there isn’t a way to completely prevent period pimples, having a good skincare routine will minimize the effects these hormonal changes have on your skin! If your skin is oilier during “those days of the month,” you could try adding a salicylic acid product. The safest option would be to wash your face with a 2% salicylic acid facial cleanser. Don’t let the ‘acid’ part of the name scare you. This is a BHA (aka a chemical exfoliant) that is known to penetrate deep into our skin and clean our pores. Lather the cleanser up in your hands, massage it into your face and let it work its magic for 30 to 60 seconds. This will not only clean your face but gently exfoliate it as well. If you aren’t a newbie in the skincare world and you want something stronger, you can also try salicylic acid masks and serums.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

What are the Key Ingredients You Want in Your Skincare that Help Get Rid of Acne?