The Flo Guide To Glowing Skin

THE FLO GUIDE TO
GLOWING SKIN
www.floliving.com
The FLO Guide to Glowing Skin | © 2020 Floliving. All Rights Reserved.
THE FLO GUIDE

TO GLOWING SKIN
Your skin reflects what is going on inside your body. For example, did you know that
breakouts at different times of the month indicate estrogen overload, testosterone
sensitivity, and cortisol imbalance?
What does that mean for you skin care routine? It means that as your hormones shift
and change during each phase of your 28-day hormone cycle, your skin care routine
needs to shift and change, too. Your skin is not the same from week to week — the
natural hormone fluctuations you experience as part of your cycle impact the skin’s
texture, thickness, and clarity — so how you take care of your skin should not be the
same either.
By learning more about the four phases of your cycle and understanding the physiology
of each phase (if you’re just getting started tracking your cycle, the MyFlo app can
help), you will be able to keep your skin looking its dewy best.
The FLO Guide to Glowing Skin | copyright of Alisa Vitti and FLO Living LLC 2020
All Rights Reserved® FLO Living LLC 2019. Flo28® and Cycle Syncing® are registered trademarks of FloLiving LLC 2020
HOW YOUR HORMONES

AFFECT YOUR SKIN
Estrogen and progesterone levels affect the thickness of the skin in each phase of your cycle.
During the follicular phase, and especially during ovulation, high levels of estrogen boost collagen,
make the skin thicker, and improve elasticity. You can thank the estrogen during this phase for that
famed ‘ovulation glow’.
Testosterone levels rise during the luteal phase and that helps keep skin thick. But testosterone is a
double-edged sword when it comes to skin. Studies show a link between spikes in this hormone and
acne. So this is the crucial point in your cycle when you either become vulnerable to breakouts or go
through the second half of your cycle with clear skin.
What causes some women to break out while others barely notice a blemish? The difference is in
the body’s ability to efficiently process and eliminate the excess estrogen and testosterone in the
system as levels rise. If your body isn’t processing hormones properly during your luteal phase, excess
estrogen and excess testosterone accumulate and fuel acne. This happens in two ways: the excess
estrogen causes estrogen dominance and skin inflammation, and the extra testosterone triggers the
sebaceous glands to produce more oil.
Premenstrually and during your period, estrogen drops and your skin gets thinner, retains less
moisture, and produces less collagen. Progesterone is rising and falling in the luteal phase and that
can make skin conditions even worse. This is what makes the week before your period and the week of
your period such a sensitive time for your skin.
The Cycle Syncing Method® helps balance these natural hormone fluctuations and supports the body’s
detox system with food, supplements, and lifestyle. The Cycle Syncing Method® can also be used to
tailor your skincare routine to your skin’s unique needs in each phase of your cycle. Specifically, here is
what I recommend for the different phases of your cycle:
In the follicular phase: Rising levels of estrogen thickens the epidermis by boosting collagen production.
Chemical exfoliators are best during this phase like Lactic Acid. Try aloe vera gel; it’s a natural exfoliator
that has anti-inflammatory properties, and it keeps moisture sealed into your skin. This is also a great time
to go for a facial and get any extractions done.
In the ovulatory phase: Estrogen and testosterone peak during this phase and if your endocrine system
is functioning optimally, these hormone spikes don’t cause a lot of problems. But if your body isn’t
eliminating excess hormones properly, the extra estrogen and testosterone accumulate and result in acne.
Opt for a gentle toner. It’s still okay to get a facial during this phase, but skip the extractions and try a
clarifying mask instead. To help eliminate excess estrogen via the lymphatic system, try dry brushing.
Luteal: During the second half of your cycle, you naturally produce more sebum and experience more
inflammation. Plummeting progesterone levels during this time can make skin conditions worse. During
this phase, try oil serums and masks with fruit acids to promote skin renewal and regeneration, add
hydration, and stimulate collagen production.
Menstrual: In the few days leading up to your period and during your bleed, estrogen drops and your skin
gets thinner, retains less moisture, and produces less collagen. This is the time to use soothing hydrating
masks to calm any inflammation.
IN THE FLO: SKIN CARE REFERENCE CHART
WHAT’S PHASE-SPECIFIC
PHASE
HAPPENING SKIN CARE
Any intense exfoliation should
happen during this phase
Estrogen is on the rise, making Any extractions should happen

FOLLICULAR the skin thicker and more elastic during this phase
Try: Aloe vera gel. It is a natural

moisturizer and exfoliant with
anti-inflammatory properties
Facials are still okay during this
Estrogen and testosterone phase, but no extractions. Opt
OVULATION peak during this phase. If these for a clarifying mask instead.
hormones aren’t detoxed
properly, the result is acne. Try: A gentle toner; dry brushing
Increased sebum production, Try: Oil serums and masks with

LUTEAL Increased inflammation, lower fruit acids
progesterone
Estrogen drops, making skin Try: Hydrating masks

MENSTRUATION thinner and less elastic and Vit C serums
SUPPLEMENTS
FOR CLEAR SKIN
Targeted supplements also help support clear skin. Here are the five key supplements I recommend for
addressing skin issues from the inside out:
Magnesium + Calcium. Magnesium is an important nutrient for fighting inflammation (acne is

inflammatory). Calcium is part of the body’s tissue matrix—comprising bones, cells, and skin—and
is important for skin cell renewal. Taking a combined magnesium-calcium supplement can reduce
inflammation and acne.
Omega-3s. Getting enough omega-3 fatty acids from fish or flax oil can improve skin significantly. With
fish oil, many women see clearer, softer, smoother skin (as well as stronger hair and nails) in just a few
days.
Zinc. Zinc deficiency is a common issue for many women. When we are deficient in zinc, our pores
become easily irritated by bacteria and show redness. Research has shown that zinc supplementation can
be very effective in easing acne even when compared to commonly prescribed antibiotics.
Probiotics. We need probiotics for a healthy gut. A common symptom of a damaged and depleted
microbiome is acne and other skin issues like rosacea. It’s particularly important with hormonal acne as
your microbiome assists your body in processing and eliminating excess estrogen. If you’ve been on the
pill or antibiotics for any length of time, probiotics could be key to getting your skin back on track.
B Vitamins. Your skin needs B-vitamins to regenerate and renew as they provide the energy your cells
need for fuel. Taking a good B-complex every day that includes a high level of B6 will target hormonal
or premenstrual acne. B6 prevents skin inflammation and overproduction of sebum (the oil your skin
produces that can create acne issues).
CITATIONS
An update on the role of the sebaceous gland in the
pathogenesis of acne. Evgenia Makrantonaki,1,2 Ruta
Ganceviciene,3 and Christos Zoubouliscorresponding author.
Dermatoendocrinol. 2011 Jan-Mar; 3(1): 41–49.
Effect of estrogens on skin aging and the potential role of

SERMs. Susan Stevenson and Julie Thornton. Clin Interv Aging.
2007 Sep; 2(3): 283–297.
Emerging Issues in Adult Female Acne. Zeichner JA1,

Baldwin HE2, Cook-Bolden FE3, Eichenfield LF4, Fallon-
Friedlander S4, Rodriguez DA5. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017
Jan;10(1):37-46. Epub 2017 Jan 1.
Correlations between acne and polycystic ovary. A study of
60 cases. Iurassich S1, Trotta C, Palagiano A, Pace L. Minerva
Ginecol. 2001 Apr;53(2):107-11.
The Roles of Sex Hormones in the Course of Atopic Dermatitis.

Naoko Kanda, Toshihiko Hoashi, and Hidehisa Saeki. Int J Mol
Sci. 2019 Oct; 20(19): 4660.
Effects of fish oil supplementation on inflammatory

acne. Golandam Khayef, Julia Young, Bonny Burns-
Whitmore,corresponding author and Thomas Spalding,
corresponding author. Lipids Health Dis. 2012; 11: 165.
Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: A Review. Mrinal Gupta ,1

Vikram K. Mahajan ,1 Karaninder S. Mehta,1 and Pushpinder S.
Chauhan. Review Article | Open Access | Volume 2014 |Article
ID 709152 | 11 pages https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/709152

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THE FLO GUIDE TO

THE FLO GUIDE

HOW YOUR HORMONES

IN THE FLO: SKIN CARE REFERENCE CHART

Estrogen is on the rise, making Any extractions should happen

Try: Aloe vera gel. It is a natural

Increased sebum production, Try: Oil serums and masks with

Estrogen drops, making skin Try: Hydrating masks

Magnesium + Calcium. Magnesium is an important nutrient for fighting inflammation (acne is

Effect of estrogens on skin aging and the potential role of

Emerging Issues in Adult Female Acne. Zeichner JA1,

The Roles of Sex Hormones in the Course of Atopic Dermatitis.

Effects of fish oil supplementation on inflammatory

Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: A Review. Mrinal Gupta ,1

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