For many, periods come hand-in-hand with skin upset. Whether you get breakouts around the same point every month or experience increased oiliness just before your period, it’s worth knowing that hormone fluctuations that occur during the menstrual cycle can wreak havoc on our skin.
But despite the fact that skin changes are part and parcel of our menstrual cycles, there is, unsurprisingly, limited information out there in terms of what to do about it. The reason for this? Everyone’s cycles are different. While some have regular periods every month, others have cycles that are longer or shorter, so providing general skin information that applies to everyone is virtually impossible.
And this has been a long-standing issue. In fact, dermatologists and skin experts have long known that hormonal fluctuations impact the skin in a variety of different ways but trying to map out an individual’s cycle and tally up skin changes throughout it can prove a lengthy process that requires some in-depth expert help. And finally, it seems there may be a breakthrough on the horizon.
Period tracking app Clue, which has 12 million users across 190 countries, is teaming up with L’Oréal to help deepen knowledge on the relationship between skin health and the menstrual cycle. With changes in the skin being one of the most tracked categories within the Clue app, the collab is set to provide more concise and personalised information for everyone.
Barbara Lavernos, Deputy CEO, in charge of Research Innovation and Technology and L’Oréal says: “Through this partnership, we want to pioneer scientific innovation. Our goal is to develop the best personalised skincare routines for consumers of all ages regarding skin health, beauty and wellness aspirations, taking into account their menstrual cycles from puberty to menopause.”
Not only that, but with the help of L’Oréal’s skincare expertise and clinical experts, Clue will aim to use findings to provide new information to its community on how exactly menstrual changes could be impacting their skin.
While we might be a long way off personalised skincare routines specifically for our individual menstrual cycles, this is without a doubt a step in the right direction. Could this be the future of tailored skincare? We’re ready to find out.