Menstruation or menstruation is a physiological transition in a woman's body that occurs periodically and is influenced by reproductive hormones. Menstruation is a sign of the reproductive period in a woman's life starting from menarche until menopause.

The menstrual cycle of every woman is generally between 21-35 days. Before the date of menstruation comes, the production of progesterone will decrease while the content of estrogen or sex hormones in women will increase. This can cause an increase in oil production which can clog pores and end up being menstrual acne. Menstrual acne often grows along the jawline and chin area.

That is why during menstruation, the hormone content will fluctuate actively. So that acne can grow freely throughout the menstrual period. Generally, menstrual pimples are very painful and can grow more if you try to squeeze them. Instead of getting squeezed, you should try ways to help deal with it.

Read 4 Things You Need to Prepare Before Your First Menstruation

How to Treat Acne During Menstruation

You can try using benzoyl peroxide topically in the form of creams and gels to treat menstrual acne. This is because benzoyl peroxide has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can reduce swelling and redness in acne-prone skin.

Salicylic acid is an exfoliating agent that has anti-inflammatory properties. By using skincare that contains salicylic acid, it will help exfoliate the top layer of your skin and help treat the signs of menstrual acne.

Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that are popular in the treatment of mild or moderate acne. Retinoids have anti-inflammatory properties which are great for treating acne infections while also helping to keep skin clear throughout your period.

Anti-androgenic drugs such as flutamide, spironolactone, and cyproterone are able to regulate and reduce the androgen content in the body. On the other hand, high androgen levels can contribute to excess oil production and lead to menstrual acne. Even so, you should not be careless in taking anti-androgen drugs. To be safe, make sure to consult your dermatologist first before doing oral remedies like this.

Sticking hot green tea bags is very suitable for you to try to treat inflamed skin due to menstrual acne. There is no need to question it if green tea has anti-inflammatory properties that are effective in terms of reducing pain and bruising on acne-prone skin.

Cold compresses will help relieve pain and bruising from menstrual acne. You can apply ice cubes wrapped in a clean cloth to the skin area with acne for 5-10 minutes every day until the condition of menstrual acne gets better.

Honey is a good therapeutic agent to deal with various skin problems including menstrual acne. In addition to moisturizing, honey has anti-microbial properties that can kill the bacteria that cause menstrual acne.

Turmeric has been used traditionally for years as a medicine to treat various skin problems. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric can improve signs of menstrual acne such as redness, bruising and soreness.

How to Prevent The Appearance of Acne During Menstruation

There are many tips you can do to prevent and treat acne during menstruation, namely:

Make sure you clean your face regularly, a maximum of 2x a day, using soap that suits your skin type. It aims to reduce sebum production in advance.

Don't touch your face (including pimples) with dirty hands, because it can make acne worse. You should wash your hands with soap before touching your face.

During menstruation, limit consumption of sugar, carbohydrates, or milk. The reason is that high-glycemic foods, such as white bread and potatoes, can increase blood sugar, which often triggers skin infections.

Besides preventing dehydration, water can also help the detoxification process and keep the skin moist. Drinking water, at least 2 glasses every day, helps improve blood circulation so that it can prevent stubborn acne.

Apply sunblock with a minimum SPF 30 evenly in the body at least 20 minutes before doing the activity. Use it every two hours for optimal protection. This is needed to reduce the negative effects due to excessive sun exposure.

Approaching the end of the menstrual cycle, there's nothing wrong with facials. This treatment can clean clogged pores and get rid of excess sebum, thus preventing the appearance of acne during menstruation.

That's the reason why acne occurs during menstruation. If you have acne complaints that are not getting better, don't hesitate to consult a dermatologist and beautician in order to get the right treatment. This way, the pimples that appear do not multiply or even get worse.

References:

https://www.halodoc.com/artikel/mengapa-jerawat-muncul-saat-datang-bulan

https://www.kompas.com/tren/read/2019/09/13/061400065/tak-ingin-berjerawat-menjelang-menstruasi-ini-cara-mencegahnya?page=all

https://www.momsmoney.id/news/8-cara-mengatasi-jerawat-menstruasi-yang-layak-dicoba

https://www.haibunda.com/moms-life/20190824131901-76-54209/5-cara-cegah-kulit-berjerawat-saat-haid