Here’s What Happens to Your Skin During Each Phase of Your Menstrual Cycle

I don’t know about you, but the way my skin fluctuates throughout the month drives me a little crazy. One minute, my complexion is looking glowy and lifted. The next, I’m breaking out and feel like I’m retaining every ounce of water I’m drinking. The cyclical nature of womanhood is one that makes my reproductive and skin health more than a bit confusing. But it’s true—because of the hormonal shifts that are almost constantly occurring, our skin is in anything but a homeostatic state throughout the month.

Menstruation, for example, can cause blemishes and even dryness. Ovulation can act like the fountain of youth, making your complexion look soft, glowing, and radiant. The luteal phase is peak progesterone time, when oiliness is at its highest, making skin a bit more acne-prone.