So, you know how everyone talks about how one of the woes of their period arriving is the acne that comes along with it?

I always thought I was in that camp, acne during my period, but this past year I’ve noticed that I may have been wrong all along.

Does anyone else have better skin during their periods, or is that just me?

I find that the zits show up around ovulation, and that’s when my skin is usually at its ‘worse’ (which really isn’t all that bad usually). I also find that it’s a bit more uneven, dry and all that jazz around ovulation, and that it actually seems to clear up during my period.

I wanted to share this today because before I actually started paying attention to my cycle, and tracking the different things that happen at different points, I used to be one of those people who blamed everything on their period.

For so long my period was responsible for all the negatives that came along with having a menstrual cycle. I knew other stuff was happening in my body for my period to happen each month, but I never gave a second thought to what all those changes were doing.

But ever since I started charting I’ve been much more aware of the little changes and at what point, during my cycle, things actually happen.

And the one I’ve noticed is that I actually have clearer skin during my period than during ovulation. Right now I’m in my ovulatory phase and while my skin is doing pretty good overall, I do have a bit of a break out on my neck, along the hairline. I’m sure this is partially because I’ve been outside a lot, and I think when I use more hair products (like dry shampoo) that can make it break out.

But there are a few other factors beyond where I am in my cycle that play a role in the radiance of my skin.

+ regular exercise — my skin looks best in the summer when I’m running consistently (not to mention sunshine heals everything).

+ sugar — if I’m eating too many sugary things, my face, especially my forehead breaks out (this is why I can’t drink Cuban coffee anymore).

+ processed food — my skin 100% shows this (not to mention it makes my PMS worse).

+ drinking enough water — this is a huge one as well, my skin just overall looks worse when I’m not drinking enough, which is most of the time.

That last one is why I want to do a 30-day water drinking challenge to help kickstart my hydration habits. I’ve settled on the decision that at the bare minimum I want to get in 64 oz (1.8L), which is the recommended 8 glasses a day. But I would love to shoot for 80 oz, which is recommended for my weight.

I also know that being adequately hydrated helps immensely with all other menstrual related happenings, so I’m hoping to see improvements there as well.