Home » Skin Care » Period Acne: Why We Get It & How to Treat It with ZAPZYT

Period Acne: Why We Get It & How to Treat It with ZAPZYT

posted in: Skin Care
March 20, 2017

This post has been sponsored by the PRIMP Network. All opinions are my own

That time of month, our monthly visitor, shark week,— whatever you call your period, it’s never convenient. As if the bloating and bleeding isn’t enough, we’re more prone to acne breakouts and sensitive skin during this time, as well… the most unwelcome cherry on top ever. For me, period acne is almost the worst part of it all since it outwardly shows how you feel inside: dull, irritated and icky.

Find out why we get period acne-- why stubborn pimples appear and how to treat them -- I'm using ZAPZYT! | Slashed Beauty

Why does period acne happen?

Your skin goes through many changes throughout your menstrual cycle, which lasts about 28 days. According to dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, your estrogen is high during the first half of your cycle to help prepare for a new egg to mature and get your uterine lining ready for implantation. This is when your skin is looking its best.

During the second half of the cycle, progesterone rises which increases sebum production. As your skin and follicles swell, sebum and oil gets held in and creates a perfect environment for acne to start forming. This is the time to start using a face wash with salicylic acid to reduce oil on the skin, paired with a benzoyl-peroxide cream to kill bacteria, says Shainhouse.

Right before your period starts, both estrogen and progesterone levels plummet. This means that you don’t have enough balance for the testosterone in your body. Testosterone is the culprit for even more sebum production as well as increased inflammation. Voila, acne. Hormonal period acne is super stubborn to both prevent and manage, and for most people is just an inevitable evil to the natural cycle. Especially since I already have acne-prone skin, period acne hits hard for me. My skin almost never feels completely clear.

Find out why we get period acne-- why stubborn pimples appear and how to treat them -- I'm using ZAPZYT! | Slashed Beauty

How can you treat problem acne on your period?

During my last period, I decided to take Shainhouse’s advice and use products that could target these hormonal and stubborn problem zits. I already have a pretty great skin care routine that I like for when things are calm, but adding just a couple key products from ZAPZYT during my period made a huge difference.

I started using the ZAPZYT Acne Wash Cleanser, which contains salicylic acid. It gets deep into the pores to unclog and clear blemishes, while also getting rid of excess oil. It’s balanced with aloe and chamomile which helps soothe irritated skin, as well as preventing a tight feeling after washing.

Find out why we get period acne that's stubborn and hard to manage, and what you can do to treat it-- I'm using ZAPZYT! | Slashed Beauty

I paired the cleanser with the ZAPZYT Acne Treatment Gel, a maximum strength 10% benzoyl peroxide gel. This blemish spot treatment targets those pimples that won’t go away to reduce their appearance quickly.

Adding these two products to my skin care regimen made a huge difference— the redness and size of my acne breakout decreased overnight by about a third, and consistently shrunk over the week. Usually, my period acne sticks around for about a week after Aunt Flo leaves, so the rate it was clearing up was a huge relief. The acne breakout was way easier to cover with makeup, and didn’t hurt as much as stubborn acne usually does.

Find out why we get period acne-- why stubborn pimples appear and how to treat them -- I'm using ZAPZYT! | Slashed Beauty

Now that my period’s ended, my skin is looking great. I still have a couple of small blemishes because I generally have acne-prone skin. Still, this is literally 80% clearer than before I used acne treatment products specifically for my time of month. Now I’m back to using my normal skin care routine that keeps my skin clear in the mean time, since ZAPZYT isn’t for treating consistent acne issues. It will instead be on standby until my next problem pimple pops up.

Even though period acne is incredibly inconvenient, having specific products you turn to when it’s super stubborn is your best shot at getting back to clear skin quickly. You can find ZAPZYT products at drugstores and supermarkets near you.

How do you keep your skin under control during your period?

19 Responses

  1. Traci
    | Reply

    Great article. I only get acne during my period, and the after effects are the worst – dark spots or bruises. So, I need to try using a acne wash with salicylic acid.

    • Miranda Mendoza
      | Reply

      Yep– I feel you, lady! Mine are the same and this made the after SO MUCH better.

  2. Viviana Acevedo
    | Reply

    Hi Miranda! This would work in blind pimples? Normally I don´t have imperfections at all, but before and after my period I got this horrifying blind pimples, they are humongous, normally people ask me If I hurt myself or what. When I was in college I didn’t care, but now that I’m trying to get a job as a teacher it embarass me so much! Any advice in massive blind pimples?

    Thank you for posting such good content!

    Best

    • Miranda Mendoza
      | Reply

      I too get those cystic, blind pimples around my period. This helped some of them come to a head, and others reduce in size dramatically over a couple days. It’s definitely worth a shot for yours!

  3. Honeygirlk
    | Reply

    My skin has actually been good for years, but my PCOS has my breakouts not so good. I’m looking forward to trying these out.

  4. glamorable
    | Reply

    Period acne is the worst! I’m dealing with an outbreak right now 🙂

  5. Aprill Coleman
    | Reply

    Period acne used to be my least favorite part of my cycle. I’m glad this is working out for you!

  6. Phyrra
    | Reply

    I needed this last week!

  7. Polarbelle
    | Reply

    That sounds pretty nice. I’m glad you’ve found something. Would the cleanser work for anyone? It sounds like a nice exfoliating cleanser that could help my dry skin.

    • Miranda Mendoza
      | Reply

      These products aren’t really meant for consistent use IMO– mostly just to add to an existing routine when you have a really stubborn breakout appear.

  8. Mai
    | Reply

    My skin is generally under control for most of the month but hormonal acne is still awful, I do like using benzoyl peroxide to tackle the really bad acne!

    • Miranda Mendoza
      | Reply

      It works even faster paired with the SA cleanser!

  9. inmyprime50
    | Reply

    Thank God I don’t have to worry about acne anymore!

  10. cosmeticsanctuary
    | Reply

    Period breakouts are the worst! I just started trying out this line and so far I love it

    • Miranda Mendoza
      | Reply

      They are seriously the hardest to get rid of!!

  11. Judy
    | Reply

    I can’t use salicylic acid on my face (I learned my lesson years ago!) but I am envious of those who can use them!

  12. MarciaF
    | Reply

    Thankfully I’m past that but reading this makes me wish it was around during those days for me. It makes having a period more like being cursed.

  13. Taneja's Bride
    | Reply

    Gorgeous photos! I love this product so much! <3

  14. NeverSayDieBeauty
    | Reply

    Glad it’s working for you!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *