Acne and skin through your cycle

If your chin breaks out like clockwork before your period, it is not your imagination. The NHS lists hormone changes, including those around periods, as a cause of acne, and spotty skin is a common PMS symptom.

Why it happens

Acne happens when hair follicles get blocked with oil and dead skin cells, and bacteria can then grow. Hormones such as androgens encourage skin to make more oil (sebum). The exact reason some people flare before their period is still not fully understood, but shifting hormone levels in the days before a period are thought to play a part.

Kind-to-skin habits

• Wash twice a day with a gentle cleanser, and take make-up off before bed.
• Choose skincare and make-up labelled "non-comedogenic" (it will not clog pores).
• Do not pick or squeeze spots, as this can scar. Do not scrub, as this can irritate and make acne worse.
• Ask a pharmacist about salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
• Wear loose, breathable clothing if acne is on your body.

Treatments often take several weeks to show a difference, so give each one a fair go. If it is not working, a pharmacist or GP can change the plan. For acne that flares with your period, a GP can sometimes offer treatments that manage hormone levels, such as the combined pill, or other prescription options.