I would probably be less annoyed by my acne if someone had just sat me down and told me I'd have it for the rest of my life. It doesn't end at 16!
Without a calendar, I could track my period just by the zits that appear the week or so before. About 6 months ago, I got fed up with feeling like a pimply teenager, so I started doing 3 things to help with period acne and I can finally say I don't dread that time of the month anymore.
Oh, they're not gone, but now it's more like one or two little red bumps as opposed to a full face.
Here are my 3 hacks for hormonal acne.
1. Drink a ton of water
This one isn't rocket science, but the key is to start about a week before your period. I have a large bottle I try to get through twice a day, and to make it more fun, I'll add a slice of lemon or lime or even a splash of iced tea for a little sweetness. Dry skin can lead to overproduction of oils, clogging pores, so staying hydrated really helps with skin health.
2. Check OutFLO Vitamins
I'm obsessed with these; they're strawberry-flavored ring-shaped gummies that tackle the worst of your PMS symptoms; acne, bloating, cramps, mood swings, etc. You take them daily, and I noticed a big difference after two months thanks to key ingredients: chaste berry, dong quai, lemon balm, and vitamin b6. They're so delicious I never forget to take them, unlike most supplements, and they're also vegan, gluten-free, and GMO-free.
3. Avoid Dairy
I'm not a nutritionist, but this has made such a difference, for period acne in particular. Switching to oat milk and cutting back on cheese for about half the month definitely helps. There are some amazing non-dairy ice cream and mac'n'cheese options if you still crave that rich, fatty-tasting goodness.
It took a great deal of trial-and-error to figure out what worked for me. I was almost ready to give up multiple times, especially since switching all my beauty products to oil-free did nothing for me. The push from FLO was what really gave me hope that I wouldn't have to deal with this forever, and the reduction in cramps and mood swings and other period b.s. was such an incredible benefit. I wasn't sure about it at first, but for $24.99, you get a 30-day supply, and it's delivered right to your door, so the affordability and convenience made it an easy purchase.
I definitely still eat cheese and forget to drink enough water, but my FLO gummies are so good, I look forward to them every day. It sucks being more prone to period acne, but now that I've found a routine that works for me, I barely think about it anymore. 😊
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