Cyclic Skincare
Menstrual Cycle and Skin – why one routine doesn’t fit all
Your skin doesn’t run on a fixed schedule; it runs with your body. Across the menstrual cycle, hormones shift, oil production changes, and sensitivity can rise or fall fast. Once you stop treating skin like a static problem, your routine gets a lot smarter.
Why does skin change throughout the cycle?
The short version: estrogen and progesterone move around, and skin responds. During the follicular phase, rising estrogen often lines up with a calmer feel, more balanced sebum, and a slightly smoother look. Around ovulation, many people notice the famous ovulation glow – not magic, just a mix of better hydration and a skin barrier that often feels more resilient.
The luteal phase is where things often get messy. Progesterone and shifting androgens can nudge oil production up, make pores look more obvious, and trigger PMS acne. Research on cycle-related skin changes also suggests that inflammation and barrier stress can become more noticeable here. Yet the default advice is still usually to scrub harder, exfoliate more, and “clear things out.” For skin that’s already irritated, that’s not strategy – that’s escalation.
Menstruation can feel like a reset, but it doesn’t mean skin suddenly behaves. Some people get dry, some get sensitive, some keep breaking out. The smarter move is not a single routine for every day of the month, but a rhythm that respects what the skin is actually doing.
Five ways to work with your cycle
Choose a softer cleanse
If your skin feels stripped, it’s time to stop forcing it. Au Naturel Makeup Remover is a good everyday reset when you want to remove sunscreen and grime without making skin feel over-cleansed.
Build in the follicular phase
When skin is calmer, use that window to support balance rather than attack imperfections. Keep it light, steady, and barrier-friendly.
Simplify in the luteal phase
If PMS acne tends to show up, cut back on strong actives and let your routine reduce stress instead of adding to it. Fewer steps often work better when skin gets reactive.
Protect the glow at ovulation
When skin already looks good, the urge is to do more. Resist that. Keep the routine simple so ovulation glow stays a glow, not a side effect of over-exfoliation.
Track patterns, not perfection
Your skin may need different support at different points in the cycle. A quick note in your phone can reveal patterns you’d otherwise miss.
How to actually solve it
A cycle-aware routine doesn’t need to be elaborate. It just needs to stop fighting the skin. In calmer phases, focus on stability and maintenance. In the luteal phase, less is usually more: fewer actives, fewer reactions, more respect for the barrier. That’s often where the biggest improvement happens.
This is where 1753 SKINCARE fits naturally. The ONE and I LOVE in the DUO kit are cycle-friendly choices when you want full-spectrum cannabinoids without stressing already irritated skin. The ONE combines CBD with MCT to help skin stay regulated, while I LOVE brings CBG in a calming, antibacterial formula that feels especially relevant when PMS acne starts circling in. Ta-DA serum adds an antioxidant cocktail with CBG and adaptogens for days when skin needs support, not another aggressive treatment.
And for cleansing, Au Naturel Makeup Remover stays the gentle baseline, no matter the phase. This is skincare that doesn’t try to outsmart your body. It works with the cycle, not against it.
Products we recommend
Save €34DUO kit
Two face oils, one for morning and one for evening. Simple skincare that works with your skin, not against it.
TA-DA Serum
A CBG-powered serum that seals in moisture and adds glow, whatever the season.
Au Naturel Makeup Remover
A cleansing oil with MCT and CBD that removes makeup and buildup without stripping your skin bare.
Frequently asked questions
What is cyclic skincare?
It means adjusting your routine to the phases of your menstrual cycle instead of using the exact same approach every day. Skin often needs more calm in the luteal phase and more lightness in the follicular phase.
Why do I get PMS acne?
Hormonal shifts before your period can increase oil production and inflammation, which makes pores clog more easily. If your skin is already stressed, that effect tends to feel stronger.
Do I need different products for every phase?
Not necessarily. Often, the smarter move is to adjust intensity and order rather than replace everything. A gentle core routine can stay the same while support steps change.
What should I avoid in the luteal phase?
Avoid over-exfoliating and stacking too many actives. When skin is more reactive, more treatment usually means more irritation, not better results.
Sources
- Chen Y, Lyga J. Brain-skin connection: stress, inflammation and skin aging. Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets 2014;13(3):177–190.
- Walker MP, van der Helm E. Overnight therapy? The role of sleep in emotional brain processing. Psychol Bull 2009;135(5):731–748.
- Katta R, Desai SP. Diet and Dermatology: The Role of Dietary Intervention in Skin Disease. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2014;7(7):46–51.
Article reviewed by Christopher Genberg, founder of 1753 SKINCARE.
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