Hormonal skin hell!

Considering the hormonal upheaval my skin has gone through during the last week, I want to dedicate a post to dealing with skin during THAT time of the month.

Now let's be clear: my skin is hard to deal with at the best of times. I'm prone not only to acne, but rosacea (mostly likely roaccutane-induced - that shiz is hardcore). So during that time when your entire body freaks out and turns on you, my skin is just a literal nightmare.

Redness, sensitivity, blotchiness and heat? Check.
Deep, cystic-y hormonal pimples on my usually clear skin? Check.
General dullness and dryness? Check.

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PMS AND YOUR SKIN:

• your skin produces more oil during this time and you have more skin bacteria, so your skin is more susceptible to spots and breakouts
• skin becomes drier due to a breakdown of our skin cell membranes, causing moisture loss and vulnerability to UV radiation (wear sunscreen!!!)
• a low pH anti-inflammatory wash should be used to cleanse the skin as this will help to make the skin more acidic, reduce bacteria, strengthen the cell walls as well as helping to retain natural moisture (SOURCE - read for more info!
• your skin often appears dull and less taut due to a drop in eostrogen
  
  

HOW TO DEAL -  SOME GREAT TIPS FROM ALLURE.COM:

• Get your chocolate fix: If you're craving chocolate, the darker the better. The flavonoids in dark chocolate mimic the effect of estrogen on the skin, Booth says. This helps calm irritation and boost collagen production
• Drink Wisely: Though you might feel like you need a cocktail, alcohol will only make things worse. Because your body is producing lower amounts of sebum, your skin and hair are more prone to dryness. "PMS time is the time to drink more water," says Booth. 
• Calm Down: PMS triggers higher amounts of adrenaline in the body. On top of wanting to kill anyone who takes the last parking spot, it can also cause skin splotchiness and redness. The best cure is meditation and exercise, Booth says. She recommends yoga. NOTE: I reccomend sitting down and enjoying a good tv marathon sesh to chill out; I reccomend Modern Family for some laughs)
  
• Start fresh: On the first day of your period, your body enters a state of hormonal renewal. This is the best time to exfoliate the skin, Booth says. She recommends a gentle facial scrub or peel to prepare the skin for the rest of the cycle, and maximize the effects of estrogen later in the month. SOURCE