So many things can contribute to blemishes and breakouts. Diet, stress, sleep, genetics, and the consistency of your skincare routine can all play a part, but a major culprit for many women is hormones, especially when they fluctuate around that time of the month.

Shifting hormones can change the amount of sebum your skin naturally produces, which in excess leads to blemishes and breakouts. It’s tempting to attack them with aggressive products, but the over-drying they can cause can actually lead to sebaceous glands producing more sebum to compensate.

Instead of just fighting breakouts after they happen, you can minimize breakouts around your period before they start by making a few easy lifestyle changes.

Pre-Period

Make sure you’re cleansing well to avoid buildup and debris combining with excess sebum during your period to cause blemishes. Exfoliate daily with the Regenerating Cleanser, and hydrate and nourish with the Clarifying Moisturizer, which also helps unclog pore congestion and blemishes on the surface of the skin. Get plenty of sleep, too – a lack of it can make your body overproduce the hormone cortisol, which also leads to excess sebum production.

Period

It’s so important to drink plenty of water so your body can rid itself of excess toxins and hormones during your period. Cut back on stimulants like alcohol, caffeine, and sugar, since they can aggravate hormonal breakouts. Incorporate the Clarifying Mask a few times a week to improve your complexion, and minimize redness and blemishes. It helps balance sebum with Salicylic Acid, and exfoliates in two ways: its Alpha Hydroxy Acid Superfruit Blend has a chemical exfoliation effect to help minimize the appearance of blemishes and breakouts, while Quartz Sand Micro-Crystals have a physical exfoliation effect to soften and smooth the look of the skin. Treat unavoidable blemishes with the Clarifying Spot Solution, which will heal and soothe them, instead of aggravating them and causing over-drying and flakiness.

Post-Period

As sebum production levels return to normal, continue to drink water to help your body detox itself. Focus on getting enough sleep and on stress reduction, since both can lead to increased cortisol and sebum. Keep treating any blemishes with the Clarifying Spot Solution as often as needed. Apply the Retinoic Nutrient Face Oil to nourish and soothe skin with vitamins, plus keep pores clear with Retinoic Acid from Rosehip Seed Oil.