Features Writer- Jade Mayers

So, by now, you’ve realised that your much-prized skin appears to be behaving like an ever so stroppy teenager, despite the rituals of skincare. And, judging by the fact you’re here, you’re completely over it. Like, SO over it.

Well, c’mon in a little closer- that’s it, because it turns out there is a reason for your skin’s curve- ball throws right before that important meeting with the new high-stakes client. It’s your cycle. And you can look at these shifts as proof its healthy and active, sort of like your personal natural skincare calendar, albeit with red notifications. On your face.  So, what’s going on?  We’re here to explain the different ways the monthly dues can affect your skin and how to battle your way through the darn right sod’s law of it!  Here’s why:

1.     Testosterone

Yep. You read that right. It’s not just for the opposite sex. Unfortunately, it’s THE prime suspect hormone linked to those pesky monthly spots.  

While it may seem like the cycle begins when annoying aunt Flo arrives, the skin cycle actually gets a head start. PMS - or pre-menstrual stress - occurs when levels of testosterone and progesterone, rise, encouraging the body to produce excess oils on the skin, blocking pores. When this occurs and you’ve woken up to the mother of all zingers (it’s really not that big, nobody even noticed it, honest!). we recommend you:

- Keep your hands away from the face vehicle. Resist the urge to touch, squeeze or pop, it will only make it worse. When it comes to spots, you want to treat those buggers immediately and hopefully try and stop them making a reappearance in the future.

 -  Try our fast-acting, CONTROL! Clarifying face that penetrates pores to visibly reduce the size and redness of spots. Prevention is better than cure with PROTECT! Hyaluronic Night cream which sunblock the pores and delivers hyaluronic acid to prevent your skin from getting too dry while anti-bacterial tea tree calms inflamed, pimple prone skin.

2.     The Post-Period Drought

At this stage in your cycle, you’ve dealt with the stress, you’ve conquered the flow and are just about controlling the unruliness of the most unwelcome of face visitors. It’s up from, here right?  Not exactly. Unfortunately, this is when some women experience a certain dryness and skin flakiness and no, it's not because you went on that popping spree.  We know you did 😊.

The best ways to combat this development is to KEEP CALM AND HYDRATE ON! Use moisture retaining, skin rejuvenating formulations such as NOCTURNAL! Restore Night Cream. It’s a clinically effective overnight repair treatment with 5 vitamin Complex to promote softer, smoother, younger looking skin. It does the work for you while you ride that sleep train.

3.     Oestrogen

We call this the metamorphosis phase thanks to the impact of oestrogen -Ladies, do not underestimate the power of this feisty little hormone. After the drought, oestrogen rises and keeps you thriving – when combined with the right skincare regime, your skin will glow, the birds will chirp and butterflies will hover above you.  Well, that’s what it will feel like anyway. 

At this point, we recommend sticking to the products adept at cleansing skin of their daily grime. Anti-pollution skincare products such as our ​ HEED! Marula Face Cleanser are perfect for this. Go on, take a look, you know you want to…

4.     Here we go again

So here we are again, right back where we started, try to resist those sugary cravings, stick to a natural anti-microbial, anti-pollution regime and drink that water like your mother-in-law told you not to! …so now you really can be completely, SO over it.