I’m just going to say what you’re probably thinking: hormonal pimples are a b*tch.
As if the mood swings, cramps and bloating wasn’t enough; our bodies throw in a cluster of chin pimples to really set us off at that time of the month.
Hormonal breakouts are the worst, because just like your emotions at this time, they are mostly out of our control. And no matter how many glasses of water we guzzle or how much chocolate we avoid eating, the Pimple Fairy will still pay us a visit seven to 10 days before our period is due. Damn Pimple Fairy.
Just as an FYI, you should know that this post is sponsored by Dermalogica. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100 per cent authentic and written in their own words.
In Chinese face reading, not surprisingly, the chin relates to the ovaries. We experience breakouts on either side of our mouth corresponding to the ovulating ovary (thanks ovaries!). But you don’t need to be skilled in Face Mapping®, to spot a hormonal breakout. It’s often along the chin and jawline, usually cystic with big, painful, sometimes red, bumps. I have a huge, blind whopper on my chin as I am writing this / spending time touching it. Its rounded, bumped out appearance is also bringing out the best in my blackheads. Fun times!
As tempting as it is to take all your hormonal rage out on these pimples, do not pick or squeeze them. DO NOT. Ok, I know you’ll give it a go (we all crack eventually) but stop if it doesn’t immediately oblige – these ones will leave scars or worse, spread bacteria leading to more pimples. Yeah, the last thing you want.
If you’re anything like me during a PMS-fuelled rage, you’re looking for something – anything – to blame. It’s the mid-cycle rise in progesterone and higher testosterone levels, which stimulate sebaceous glands and in turn make more sebum.
Since there’s not a lot we can do about the hormonal spin cycle our body is dealing with (apart from going on the pill) there are a few things we can do to contain the breakout and make it less severe.
Top Comments
I posted a question here before the deadline last week but it has now disappeared and not been answered?
No matter what I do I can't get rid of the pigmentation on my cheeks.. They first appeared when I stopped taking the pill. I am the only one in my family with it. it is on both cheeks.. I am trying some creams and I have been to a dermatologist but after spending a couple of thousand dollars it is still there.. Please help.. I am 42.. with olive skin
Thanks
Ultraceuticals have a product. Have a look online. They are Australian and developed by the CSIRO.
Hi Windswept29,
If you have tried medically prescribed creams
with limited success you may be experiencing dermal pigmentation, which is much
harder to treat then epidermal pigmentation. One of the key products we would
advise to use daily and reapply throughout the day is an SPF of 30-50. Apply
rain, hail or shine to protect your pigment from darkening. Professional Treatments
such as a Peel will definitely help with improving the overall tone of the
skin.