Menstruation and skin and hair - how to care for yourself during the menstrual cycle?

Introduction: Your skin has its cycle - and it's no accident

Have you noticed that your skin… isn't the same all month long?

There are days when it looks radiant, smooth, firm, almost "problem-free."
And there are times when imperfections suddenly appear, the skin starts to get oily, becomes more sensitive, reactive... difficult.

Very often, this happens right before your period.

And it's no accident.
It's biology. It's hormones. It's a rhythm that runs deeper than you think.

Your skin - just like your entire body - reacts to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. And that means one thing:

👉 skincare that works "the same way every time" will never be optimal

Because your skin changes.

In this article, I will show you:

• how menstruation affects skin and hair
• why imperfections appear before your period
• how to adapt your skincare to your cycle phases
• which ingredients really work (including adaptogens – Orientana's key)
• how to create a beauty ritual aligned with your body

This won't be just another "skincare guide."
It will be a map of your skin over time.

How does menstruation affect skin and hair? (biology no one tells you about)

The menstrual cycle is not just about menstruation.

It's a dynamic hormonal process that affects:

• skin
• hair
• hydration levels
• sebum production
• sensitivity to active ingredients

Two hormones are key:

Estrogen - the hormone of beautiful skin

• increases collagen production
• improves hydration
• strengthens the hydrolipid barrier
• makes skin firmer and more radiant

Progesterone and androgens - hormones of problematic skin

• increase sebum production
• promote blackhead formation
• can worsen acne

What happens before your period? (why skin "goes crazy")

In the luteal phase (i.e., before menstruation):

• estrogen levels drop
• progesterone rises
• sebaceous gland activity increases

The effect?

• more sebum
• clogged pores
• breakouts (especially chin, jawline)
• skin looks heavier, less fresh

👉 This is known as hormonal acne before menstruation

And what about during menstruation?

During menstruation:

• hormones drop sharply
• skin becomes thinner
• is more sensitive and reactive
• loses water more quickly

The effect:

• a feeling of tightness
• increased susceptibility to irritation
• reduced tolerance to active ingredients

Menstruation and hair - a topic no one talks about

Hormonal changes also affect:

• scalp oiliness
• hair growth cycle
• seasonal shedding

In the pre-menstrual phase:

• hair may become oily faster
• hairdo "loses volume"

During menstruation:

• the scalp can be more sensitive

Menstrual cycle phases and skin needs 

Your skin is not static.
It goes through four different "states."

Understanding them is an absolute game-changer.

Phase 1: Menstruation (days 1–5) – a time for regeneration and soothing

This is when the body cleanses itself.

Skin:

• is thinner
• more sensitive
• dehydrates more easily

👉 This is NOT the time for:

• strong acids
• intense retinol
• experiments

What does the skin need?

• soothing
• hydration
• barrier repair

Key ingredients:

• aloe vera
• tremella (botanical hyaluronic acid)
• panthenol
• ceramides

👉 here, Orientana products fit perfectly:

tremella serum (strong hydration + barrier)

toner-essence with gluconolactone and date extract (gentle exfoliation + hydration)

Phase 2: Follicular phase (post-menstruation) - skin's best moment

This is when:

• estrogen rises
• skin regenerates
• looks fresh and radiant

👉 This is the best time for action

What to do?

• introduce active ingredients
• work on skin quality
• do anti-aging

Ideal ingredients:

• vitamin C
• plant-based retinol (e.g., NovoRetin™)
• adaptogens (ashwagandha, turmeric, reishi)

👉 Adaptogens are key here:

• reduce oxidative stress
• support regeneration
• strengthen the skin

Phase 3: Ovulation - the glow moment

This is when the skin looks its best:

• firm
• radiant
• hydrated

👉 estrogen is at its highest level

Skincare strategy:

• enhance the glow effect
• light formulas
• antioxidants

👉 this is the ideal time for:

• brightening serum
• energizing boosters

Phase 4: Luteal phase (PMS) - a time of skin problems

This is the moment of greatest challenges.

Skin:

• produces more sebum
• clogs easily
• breakouts appear

👉 especially:

• chin
• jawline
• around the mouth

What to do in this phase?

👉 DO NOT fight aggressively
👉 only regulate and balance

Key ingredients:

• niacinamide
• zinc
• tremella

Tremella works exceptionally here:

• strongly moisturizes
• regulates balance
• reduces reactivity

👉 that's why it's a core ingredient in Orientana

Sebum regulation

Reducing skin stress

Why classic skincare doesn't work?

Because it ignores the cycle.

Most skincare routines assume:
👉 that your skin is the same every day

And that's a mistake.

The effect:

• dryness during menstruation
• clogging before menstruation
• lack of results despite good ingredients

New approach: cyclical skincare 

This approach assumes:

👉 adapting skincare to the cycle phases

Meaning:

• less aggression
• more cooperation with the skin

This approach:

• gives better results
• reduces skin problems
• improves skin condition long-term

And here something very important appears: adaptogens

Adaptogens:

• help the skin cope with stress
• stabilize reactions
• support balance

👉 that's why they are ideal for hormonal fluctuations

Most important adaptogens for skin:

• ashwagandha
• turmeric
• tulsi

👉 these are not "trendy ingredients"
These are skin-regulating ingredients

Remember - your skin:

• changes during the cycle
• reacts to hormones
• needs different ingredients at different times

👉 biggest mistake: treating it the same way always
👉 biggest advantage: understanding its rhythm

Skincare before menstruation - how to prevent imperfections?

This is the most difficult moment for most women.

A few days before menstruation, the skin:

• starts to get oily faster
• blackheads appear
• painful inflammatory lesions appear
• makeup doesn't hold as well

This is due to the increase in progesterone and androgen activity.

👉 And here the most common mistake: aggressive fighting with the skin

Meaning:

• strong acids daily
• drying gels
• too frequent peels

The effect?
👉 even more sebum and even more imperfections

Strategy: regulation instead of fighting

Your goal is not to "dry out the skin."

Your goal is:
✔ to balance sebum production
✔ to reduce inflammation
✔ not to disturb the hydrolipid barrier

Morning routine (luteal phase / PMS)

Gentle cleansing → without disturbing the barrier

👉 Orientana Gentle Face Wash

cleanses, but doesn't dry out

contains microbiome-supporting ingredients

Toning + light exfoliation

👉 Toner-essence

gluconolactone → gently exfoliates

date extract → moisturizes and supports the skin

The effect:

• fewer blackheads
• smoothing
• without irritation

Hydrating and regulating serum

👉 key ingredients:

• lactic acid
• tremella
• exosomes

Why lactic acid?

• gently exfoliates
• regulates sebum
• reduces "breakouts"

Light cream / no heavy formulas

👉 avoid:

• heavy butters
• oily creams

The skin already produces more sebum.

Evening routine (PMS)

• thorough but gentle cleansing
• toner-essence
• balancing serum
• light cream

👉 you can introduce:

enzymes instead of strong acids

Expert TIP 

👉 You will achieve the best results if you start regulating skincare
3–5 days before changes appear

Skincare during menstruation - "barrier and soothing" mode

This is when your skin:

• is more sensitive
• dehydrates faster
• tolerates active ingredients less well

👉 This is NOT the time to "fix everything"

This is a time for:
👉 regeneration

Strategy: minimalism + repair

Your routine should be:

• shorter
• gentler
• more nourishing

Morning skincare (menstruation)

1. Ultra-gentle cleansing
   → no feeling of tightness
2. Toner-essence (light layer)
   → hydration + pH balance
3. Hydrating serum

👉 these ingredients work well here:

• tremella (botanical HA)
• aloe vera
• ferments

👉 effect:

• skin is soft
• less reactive
• more resilient

4. Barrier-repairing cream

👉 key:

ceramides

emollients

Evening skincare (menstruation)

👉 absolute minimalism:

• cleansing
• hydrating serum
• cream

👉 zero:

• retinol
• strong acids
• experiments

Expert TIP:

If your skin "burns" or reacts:
👉 that's a sign it needs repair, not action

Skincare after menstruation - time for WOW effects

This is the moment most people... waste.

And that's the biggest mistake.

Because after menstruation:

• estrogen rises
• skin regenerates
• is more resilient

👉 This is the ideal time for anti-aging and brightening action

Strategy: skin activation

Here you can:
✔ introduce active ingredients
✔ work on skin quality
✔ build a glow effect

Morning routine (after menstruation)

• Cleansing
• Toner-essence

Antioxidant serum

👉 ingredients:

• vitamin C
• adaptogens

👉 adaptogens + antioxidants = strong skin protection

Evening routine (after menstruation)

👉 time for:

• plant-based retinol (NovoRetin™)
• enzymatic peels
• more intense ingredients

Why are adaptogens key here?

Because:

• they support regeneration
• they strengthen the skin after hormonal stress
• they improve elasticity

👉 especially:

• reishi (anti-aging, regeneration)
• ashwagandha (balance)

Beauty ritual aligned with the cycle 

Week 1 – menstruation → RESET

1. hydration
2. soothing
3. barrier

Week 2 – regeneration → ACTIVATION

1. vitamin C
2. adaptogens
3. glow

Week 3 – ovulation → RADIANCE

1. light formulas
2. antioxidants

Week 4 – PMS → BALANCE

1. niacinamide
2. sebum regulation
3. ashwagandha

Most common skincare mistakes during menstruation and PMS

This section ranks very well.

1. Too aggressive cleansing

Effect:
→ more sebum
→ more imperfections

2. Introducing new ingredients at the wrong time

👉 e.g., retinol during menstruation

3. Ignoring the cycle

→ the same skincare all month

4. "Fighting" instead of cooperating with the skin

→ this is the biggest mistake

Your skincare should be:

• variable
• adapted to the cycle
• based on balance

👉 and not on "one perfect cream"

Ingredients that really work during the menstrual cycle 

Cyclical skincare only works if you use the right ingredients at the right time.

Not every ingredient works the same way in every phase of the cycle.

Regulating ingredients (PMS / pre-menstruation)

Niacinamide (vitamin B3)

• reduces sebum production
• minimizes pore visibility
• has anti-inflammatory properties

👉 ideal for acne before menstruation

Zinc

• has antibacterial properties
• supports healing of lesions
• reduces inflammation

Ashwagandha (adaptogen – Orientana's key)

This is one of the most important ingredients for hormonal skin.

It works:

• anti-inflammatory
• antioxidant
• regulating skin reactions

👉 reduces skin's "reactivity" to hormonal fluctuations

This is not just a skincare ingredient.
It is an ingredient regulating skin function.

Soothing ingredients (menstruation)

Tremella (botanical hyaluronic acid)

• binds water in the skin
• improves hydration
• smoothes

👉 often works better than classic HA

Aloe vera

• soothes
• moisturizes
• reduces irritation

Panthenol

• accelerates regeneration
• reduces redness

Activating ingredients (after menstruation)

Vitamin C

• brightens
• supports collagen synthesis
• has antioxidant properties

Plant-based retinol (e.g., NovoRetin™)

• improves skin structure
• reduces wrinkles
• acts more gently than classic retinol

Reishi (longevity adaptogen)

It works:

• anti-aging
• regenerating
• supports skin immunity

👉 ideal in the regeneration phase

Menstruation and hair - full skincare protocol

This is an underestimated, but very important topic.

What happens to hair during the cycle?

Before menstruation:

• hair gets oily faster
• hairdo loses volume

During menstruation:

• scalp is more sensitive
• possible slight increase in shedding

How to care for hair according to the cycle?

PMS (before menstruation)

• light shampoos
• more frequent washing
• avoid heavy oils

Menstruation

• gentle care
• no aggressive scalp peels

After menstruation

• introduction of hair tonics
• growth stimulation

👉 adaptogens in scalp care:

• strengthen hair follicles
• improve microcirculation

FAQ 

Does menstruation affect the skin?

Yes, hormonal changes during the cycle affect sebum production, hydration, and skin sensitivity.

Why do pimples appear before menstruation?

An increase in progesterone boosts sebum production, leading to clogged pores and inflammation.

Is acne before your period normal?

Yes, it's called hormonal acne and affects many women.

How to prevent breakouts before menstruation?

Introduce sebum-regulating ingredients like niacinamide and adaptogens a few days earlier.

Is skin more sensitive during menstruation?

Yes, a drop in hormones makes the skin thinner and more reactive.

Can retinol be used during menstruation?

It's best to avoid it – skin may be more prone to irritation.

How to care for skin during menstruation?

Focus on minimalism, hydration, and barrier repair.

Does menstruation affect hair?

Yes, it can cause increased oiliness and scalp sensitivity.

Why does hair get oily faster before your period?

This is due to hormones that increase sebum production.

Can menstruation cause hair loss?

It can intensify physiological shedding, but it's usually temporary.

Do adaptogens help with hormonal skin?

Yes, they support skin balance and reduce its reactivity.

Does ashwagandha help with hormonal acne?

Yes, it has anti-inflammatory properties and supports skin regulation.

Can niacinamide be used daily?

Yes, it's safe and well-tolerated by most skin types.

Does skin change during the cycle?

Yes, each phase of the cycle affects its appearance and needs.

When does skin look best?

Most often around ovulation, when estrogen levels are highest.

Can you do a peel during menstruation?

Yes, but only a gentle one, e.g., enzymatic.

Do you need to change your skincare every week?

Not always, but it's worth adjusting it to the cycle phases.

Does skin need more hydration during menstruation?

Yes, because it loses water faster.

Do hormones affect skin pores?

Yes, increased sebum production can enlarge them.

Does stress affect skin before menstruation?

Yes, it exacerbates inflammation and skin problems.

Can vitamin C be used during menstruation?

Yes, but in a mild form.

Do adaptogens have anti-aging effects?

Yes, they protect the skin from oxidative stress.

Does oily skin worsen before your period?

Yes, this is a very common phenomenon.

Does menstruation affect collagen?

Indirectly yes, through changes in estrogen levels.

Is it worth keeping a skin journal?

Yes, it helps to understand its cycle and needs.

Summary: Your skin has a rhythm - start working with it

Your skin is not a problem.

Your skin:

1. reacts
2. adapts
3. communicates

👉 and menstruation is one of the most important signals

Instead of fighting with your skin:
👉 start understanding it

Instead of one routine:
👉 create a ritual adapted to the cycle

Your skin changes every month.

Therefore, your skincare should also change.

At Orientana, we create cosmetics that:

• support skin balance
• work in harmony with its natural rhythm
• utilize the power of adaptogens (ashwagandha, reishi, tremella)

👉 if you want:

• fewer imperfections
• more balance
• real results

choose skincare that works with your body, not against it.