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 Weekly guide to Hormonal Acne control
(The Dreaded Menstrual Acne!)
Author: Shawn ClarkWilt
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When skin care products fail
to clear up your acne problems, it is an indication that they
could be a result of hormonal imbalances. Below are some general
guidelines on how to tell if your complexion problems are hormonal:
• You experience acne breakouts
the week before your period, mostly on the jaw line, chin and
neck.
• Irregular periods and/or
excess hair on the face or body in addition to acne could signal
a hormonal disorder. Consult your doctor.
• Your skin tends to feel
much more sensitive during the fourth week of your monthly menstrual
cycle. |
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Keeping skin acne free requires
more than just diligent skincare. It is also a matter of timing
your skin care according to your monthly hormonal surges. That
is because monthly hormone fluctuations stimulate the skin’s
sebaceous glands to secrete oil. The more oil our skin produces,
the higher the possibility that acne problems will arise.
THE HORMONAL CYCLE 101
Your cycle begins on the first
day of your period and can last anywhere from 21 to 40 days.
In the first week after your period, your estrogen level increases,
helping to keep skin clear (estrogen is the hormone that helps
keep oil glands in check). When ovulation occurs around day 14
of your cycle, progesterone (another hormone) starts to surge
and your potential for acne blemishes increases and peaks, just
days before your period. That is when you will experience oily
skin and acne breakouts.
WEEK-BY-WEEK SKINCARE
Week 1 (The cycle begins on the
first day of your period)
WHAT’S HAPPENING: Hormone
levels are at their monthly low. Skin may appear dull or it could
be recovering from premenstrual acne flare-ups.
WHAT YOUR SKIN NEEDS: Regular
and gentle care.
•Use mild cleansers that
contain soothing ingredients like Aloe, Chamomile or Green Tea.
While washing, massage your face gently with the pads of your
fingertips. Try Youthful Essentials paraben-free Facial Cleanser.
• Concealers are your skin’s
best friends this week. Choose an oil-free one that contains
Salicylic Acid or Sulphur, which can help to unclog pores.
• Treat skin to a moisturizing
or exfoliating mask. Left on for 10 minutes, an exfoliating mask
will remove any flakiness on the skin and have skin lightening
effects on a dull complexion. The moisturizing element will provide
much needed extra skin hydration.
• Treat lingering acne blemishes
with acne treatment products that contain Salicylic Acid or Tea
Tree Oil. Try Diva Deva Acne Control Lotion
TIP: Do not skimp on your moisturizer.
Hydrate your skin regularly and choose moisturizers that are
oil-free or comedogenic.
Week 2 (The week after your period)
WHAT’S HAPPENING: As estrogen
levels are rising, your skin condition is at its peak with a
clear and balanced complexion.
WHAT YOUR SKIN NEEDS: Maintenance
and prevention
• For most skin types, ranging
from normal to combination skin, this is a good time for professional
pampering. Since your skin is not overly sensitive, you can get
a simple gentle facial.
• If you have very sensitive
skin, do not go for facials as this may have the effects of over-stimulating
your sensitive skin and cause further problems. Opt for a simple
regimen that consists of a mild cleanser, sunscreen, moisturizer
and a good acne treatment product (if you still experience acne
breakouts during this week).
• Keep using the same mild
cleansers you used in Week 1 and make sure that you keep your
skin clean and fresh by washing your face twice a day. There
is no need to carry out excessive cleansing as this may strip
your skin of its natural sebum.
• Exfoliate your skin with
exfoliating products that contain skin “sloughers”
like Glycolic acid, Lactic acid or Salicylic Acid. However, if
your skin is extremely sensitive, you should avoid using such
exfoliating products as they may further sensitize your skin.
TIP: Always remove make-up before
going to bed. Sleeping with your make-up on can cause pores to
clog and trigger acne breakouts.
Week 3 (Ovulation)
WHAT’S HAPPENING: While
your estrogen levels peak, progesterone surges. These hormonal
fluctuations cause oily skin flare-ups and acne breakouts.
WHAT YOUR SKIN NEEDS: Acne blemishes
battling treatments and moderate exfoliation.
• Keep skin clean and fresh
by washing your face twice a day with a mild cleanser, in the
morning and in the night. Use an alcohol-free toner to deep-cleanse
your pores.
• During other times, cleanse
skin by using water only. Water is the natural healer for skin
and can calm your skin without stripping your skin of its natural
sebum.
• During Week 3 and Week
4, bring oil-blotting pads with you to mop up excess oil for
a matte complexion.
• Pamper your skin with
products that prevent acne blemishes. They usually contain Salicylic
Acid, Glycolic Acid, Benzyl Peroxide, Chlorhexidine and Tea Tree
Oil.
• Use an acne clearing mask
this week. For normal skin users, the mask can be used 2 times
a week, while sensitive skin users should only use it once a
week.
TIP: Resist the urge to squeeze
your pimples. Apply a warm washcloth to the pimples for several
minutes and follow with an antibacterial Benzyl-Peroxide or Chlorhexidine
product.
Week 4 (The week before your
period)
WHAT’S HAPPENING: Your estrogen
plummets while progesterone continues to surge. Your skin is
at its oiliest and painful pimples, bumps or acne cysts flare
up.
WHAT YOUR SKIN NEEDS: Tender,
loving care.
• Keep skin clean and fresh
by washing your face twice a day with a mild cleanser, in the
morning and in the night.
• During other times, cleanse
skin by using water only. Water is the natural healer for skin
and can calm your skin without stripping your skin of its natural
sebum.
• Treat your acne blemishes
with spot treatments, in the morning and in the night.
• De-clog your pores by
using an acne mask at least twice this week. Sensitive skin users
should only use an acne mask once a week.
• Look for foundations that
contain Salicylic Acid, which will help clear pores. Also make
sure that your make-up is labeled non-comedogenic so that it
would not clog pores.
• Stay away from any sort
of skin trauma this week. No waxing, laser treatments, micro-dermabrasion
and facials. You are bound to experience extra discomfort on
the acne affected areas if you do.
TIP: If the acne affected areas
show no improvement and seem to be getting worse, you should
immediately consult a dermatologist who can prescribe topical
acne medication or oral antibiotics.
Spikes Spa Secrets is an online anti-Aging Skin Care retail store
that provides three of the top line spa quality products available
in the USA. We are the premeir online source here in the US for
DIVA DEVA clinical skin care products. We also carry the all
natural product line from Youthful Essentials and the Pure Dead
Sea Mineral line from the Dead Sea. You can also subscribe to
our frequent newsletter complete with specials and tips for anti
aging, acne, and other tips at www.spikesspasecrets.com
Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com
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