Have you ever noticed how your skin changes throughout your menstrual cycle? As women, our skin is susceptible to hormonal fluctuations - a fact that can be both surprising and challenging. We want to introduce you to Skin Flow, a collection of four innovative serums designed to address the unique needs of our skin during each phase of our menstrual cycle.
The genesis of Skin Flow
The idea for Skin Flow took root about four five ago. I had just stopped taking hormonal contraception and the impact on my skin was immediate. I noticed more pronounced changes in my skin throughout the cycle, ranging from dryness to acne attacks. After some research, I discovered that these changes coincided with the phases of my menstrual cycle.
Skin Flow: understanding the phases
The average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days and consists of four different phases:
- Menstrual Phase (3-7 days): The time when you have your period. Estrogen and progesterone levels drop, making your skin more sensitive and appear duller and grayer.
- Follicular Phase (3-7 days): During this phase, new follicles mature in your ovaries. Estrogen levels increase, strengthening your skin. It's an ideal time to remove dead skin cells and strengthen your skin barrier.
- Ovulation Phase (3-4 days): Your ovaries release an egg to be fertilized. Your estrogen reaches a peak, making your skin look at it's best.
- Luteal Phase (10-14 days): Your body checks whether or not the egg has been fertilized. The hormone progesterone rises, but decreases once your body realizes that you're not pregnant. Your skin produces more sebum, which clogs pores and may lead to acne development.
Meet the serums
Skin Flow Serum 1 - Stay balanced: calm & hydrate
This serum gives your skin a major boost during your period. For this, we selected some gems of active ingredients that rebalance your skin. Think of Borage oil, Argan oil and extract from the Myrothamnus plant, all known for their anti-inflammatory and protective properties.
Benefits:
- Calms & rebalances
- Bye bye dull, dry and irritated skin. Hello, healthy skin!
- Reduces superficial & chronic redness from acne and rosacea
Skin Flow Serum 2 - Glow booster: exfoliate & boost
Has your period ended? Then it's the perfect time to clean up and deal with your dead skin cells. Glow Booster is here to assist. This serum is packed with natural fruit acids that exfoliate your skin. This stimulates collagen production, which naturally freshens up your skin. An added bonus: it also boosts your skin barrier. This helps maintain your skin's top condition in the long run.
Benefits:
- Exfoliates and removes dead skin cells in a gentle way
- Works preventively against pimples & blackheads
- A boost for your collagen production
Skin Flow Serum 3 - Bright’n up: reduce lines, spots & scars
During the ovulation phase, many women feel their best, brimming with energy and feeling like they can conquer anything. We aim to extend this radiant feeling to your skin, which is why we developed Bright’n Up. This serum is designed to give your skin a beautiful glow. It includes Bakuchiol, a 100% natural ingredient extracted from Babchi seeds, popular in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine. If you have acne scars or age spots, this plant-based alternative to retinol can yield beautiful results.
Benefits:
- Gives your skin a younger appearance
- Makes scars from pimples or age spots noticeably fade
- Provides a natural glow
Skin Flow Serum 4 - Beyond blemishes: anti-acne
It's often evident on our faces when our period is approaching. Our skin produces more sebum, clogging our pores and leading to acne. Enter Beyond Blemishes, our mattifying and anti-acne serum that combats skin impurities. The serum contains plant-derived salicylic acid, which clears your pores, and probiotics to restore your skin's balance. The result is smoother, more matte skin.
Benefits:
- You can tackle acne outbreaks in a gentle, but effective way
- You have less trouble with clogged pores
- Your skin does not shine and looks matte
Who is Skin Flow actually intended for?
I developed Skin Flow for all women who want to give their skin an extra boost, all month long.
The serums are ideal if you:
- (sometimes) suffer from pimples, wrinkles, dry or flaky skin
- are looking for a gentle way to rebalance your skin that also works in the long term
- want to pamper your skin a little extra, in addition to your usual cleanser and face cream
Whether you:
- Use contraception or live pill-free
- Menstruate, are pregnant or in menopause
We took into account the needs of the skin during the cycle because we felt a great need for this. At the same time, we tailored our serums to a wide range of skin types. This way we created an accessible product for everyone who wants to pamper their skin extra.
How should I use Skin Flow?
"Marion, my cycle lasts longer than 28 days, is not so regular, or I have acne around my ovulation phase instead of just before my period, can I still use your serums? "
You definitely can! On the booklet you will receive with your order, you will be able to read the explanation about which serum you can use in which phase. For convenience, we took 4 weeks. One serum for each week. Of course, the cycle is not so defined. Each phase gradually transitions into the other or lasts shorter/longer in one woman than in another. You can completely choose when to switch to the next serum or use the serums in a different order. Read carefully what property each serum has (in the leaflet) and simply feel when your skin needs a different serum.
Little spoiler: I often use the serums interchangeably and 2 different ones every day (one in the morning and one in the evening). Just because I'm such a fan and can't choose, hehe. But invariably I will use Beyond Blemishes more towards my period and Stay Balanced during my menstruation. You will definitely find your perfect routine!
