6 Beauty Rituals I Turn to On My Period

I’m currently rocking a honker of a zit just under my jawline, so I bet my period is on its way. If you also experience major skin changes around your period, welcome to the club; you’re definitely not alone. We all know that acne, dryness, and dullness can occur around our cycle, but you don’t have to just grin and bear it. I have a few beauty rituals that help me and my skin get through my period.

Talking to a dermatologist is advisable if you have hormonal or cystic acne that occurs more frequently than your period. Although there are some over-the counter options for hormonal acne, an expert can help you decide which products will work best for your skin.

1. Slugging

When my skin feels impossibly dry, the first thing I turn to is slugging, the K-beauty staple of applying a thick layer of an occlusive—like a Vaseline-type ointment—on your skin before bed and removing it in the morning. It makes my skin look brighter, smoother and more hydrated the next day when I slug. It’s been a godsend for me when my moisture barrier seems a little wonky, which I especially notice during my period after I’ve put in the extra work beforehand to dispel acne as much as possible. 

2. Daily showers or baths

Even though this is more of hygiene, taking a shower or bath each day of my period makes me feel better. Of course, I feel cleaner, but it’s also a great self-care step that helps reduce some of the stress I feel around my period. Pain, acne, discomfort—that’s enough to make you feel a little anxious, let alone that you have pools of blood coming out of you. 

If I take a bath on my period, I make sure to follow it up with a quick two-minute body shower to make sure I’m clean. I also won’t do this on my heaviest flow days; I mainly rely on showers during heavy flow days. To compensate for the heat drying my skin, I moisturize my body. 

3. As much as possible, avoid using makeup

It’s no secret that I write about beauty for my living so the idea of not wearing makeup for one week makes me nervous. Makeup is an act of joyous release for me, but I notice that when I’m on my period, I feel a little less interested in it, and that’s OK. On my period, my skin is pretty fickle, so I’ll avoid wearing heavy coverage as much as I can and opt for lots of good skincare during the day instead. 

4. Apply layers of moisture

Keeping my skin as moisturised as possible during my period is my goal, especially if there was a breakout the week prior. I apply layers of moisture to my skin to counteract this. For me, it isn’t enough to slather on a thick moisturizer to avoid dry skin. After double cleansing, I’ll use a moisturizing toner, a hyaluronic acid serum, eye cream, and a thick moisturizer, and then I’ll top it off with Vaseline or a facial oil. I also make sure to spend this time using up all my extra sheet masks—both for the self-care and the added hydration. 

5. Facial massages

My skin becomes duller and puffier during my period. This could be due to an increase in sugar and salt intake. To help my skin feel refreshed and de-puffed, I add facial massages into my morning routine. I use an ice roller if my skin is really dry. It’s the perfect treat while I’m sipping my morning coffee. On a typical day, I’ll just use a gua sha tool with my facial oil to help sculpt and massage my face. I find my skin is firmer and more smoother after adding these steps. 

6. Avoiding over-exfoliation

I’m known to go to erratic measures when I’m facing a breakout. I want it gone immediately, so I’ll pile on the acids and clay masks and spot treatments to kill it on impact—only leaving me with skin that hates me even more. I must be careful not to over-treat a hormonal breakout. Otherwise, my skin will get drier and more sensitive. The acne disappears quickly if I stick with a good spot treatment and my regular routine.