Beauty

How Your Hormones Affect Your Skin

Published

6 months ago

24 July 2025

Ever wondered why your skin breaks out before your period? That “pregnancy glow” isn’t a mirage after all? It might not be your beauty regimen’s fault — it could very well be your hormones. Yes, those tiny messengers in your bloodstream have a bigger impact on your skin than you might think.

Dry spots are replaced with dark spots and premature lines, your hormones are typically in charge behind the scenes.

Puberty: When It All Starts

hormone levels start to rise. As your body’s androgen levels rise, your oil glands become more active, producing excess oil that can clog your pores and lead to breakouts. The excess oil can clog your pores, leading to breakouts.

For many, these teenage breakouts settle down over time. However, for some women, hormonal fluctuations can continue to trigger acne well beyond the high school years.

Your Cycle This Month: Skin on a Schedule

If you’ve ever noticed breakouts popping up right before your period, you’re definitely not imagining things. In those days leading up to your cycle, estrogen and progesterone levels take a dip while testosterone stays steady — and that shift can throw your skin off balance.

Your skin might get drier, which can lead to clogged pores, especially around your chin, cheeks, or jawline. It’s all part of the hormonal rollercoaster your body rides each month — and your skin’s just along for it too.

Not poor hygiene, dirty skin, says Dr. Ifeoma Adeyemi, a dermatologist in Lagos. “It’s how hormones shift throughout the month.”

Pregnancy: The Glow and the Grit

During pregnancy, rising estrogen and progesterone levels—along with increased blood flow—can give your skin that characteristic “pregnancy glow.” But not all transformation is so. Many women experience melasma, those blotchy dark spots prone to showing up on the face as a result of a mix of hormones and sun, appear on many women during pregnancy. The good news? It’s totally normal—and with the proper skincare and daily sun protection, you can manage it.

Menopause: When Skin Needs Extra Love

As estrogen levels drop at menopause, your skin might become drier, thinner, and more delicate. You might discover that it does not bounce back the way it used to, and your face loses a bit of its natural plumpness. It’s all normal, but it also means that your skin can use a little extra moisture and care.

Estrogen keeps the skin hydrated and stretchy, says Dr. Adeyemi. So when estrogen declines, skin loses the healthy, young look.

When Hormones Go Off-Track

There are times when hormones can go off balance and affect your skin. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), for instance, can cause higher androgen levels, leading to chronic acne, facial hair, and hair thinning in women

Disorders with the thyroid — restless or underactive — can also impact your skin. It may get drier, coarser, or cold-sensitive.

So, What Can You Do?

Start by paying attention. When you notice a pattern — for instance, when you get breakouts during the same time every month or when skin issues do not heal with normal products — then you are likely to explore a bit deeper.

A consultation with a dermatologist is a good first step. Dermatologists can advise on whether your skin problems follow a hormonal pattern, and can refer you to an endocrinologist or women’s health doctor. Treatment might include topical creams, hormonal therapy, diet changes, or stress management, since cortisol (your stress hormone) also affects your skin.

Conclusion

Good skin isn’t just about what you put on your face; it’s also about what’s happening inside your body. What you put on your face; Hormones play a big role in how your skin looks and feels, often without you even realising it.

Beauty

Bella Okagbue Goes Full Caramel Blonde

Published

2 weeks ago

17 January 2026

Laju Odogwu

Bella Okagbue - Instagram

On January 15th 2026, Bella Okagbue shared some new photos with us on her Instagram page showing a lighter blonde caramel hairstyle. The former Big Brother Naija housemate and fashion influencer appeared a shade she hadn’t worn before.

Bella Okagbue – Instagram

Her hair was styled in soft waves that enhanced the warm honey-and-gold tones. The lighter shade is different from the dark hair she usually wears and refreshes her style.

The pictures show that Bella paired the new look with a tailored two-piece outfit. She wore a fitted blazer paired with a matching mini skirt, along with heels and minimal jewellery. The outfit was simple, in a neutral shade that kept focus on her hair.

Bella Okagbue – Instagram

Her makeup was kept natural. Skin tones appeared even, eyes were softly defined, and lips stayed in nude shades. The combination of hair, outfit, and makeup appeared well together.

This change marks one of Bella’s most noticeable hair updates since leaving the BBNaija house. She has mostly maintained darker shades in the past, so this caramel blonde shows a different side of her style.

Bella Okagbue – Instagram

Bella has continued to build her career in fashion, beauty and lifestyle beyond reality TV. She has worked with several brands, including Fashion Nova and Guinness, keeping her profile active in the industry. The new hairstyle fits into her aesthetic, adding diversity while remaining recognizable to her followers.

Whether she keeps the blonde long-term or returns to darker tones, the hair change adds a new element to Bella Okagbue’s look. It shows her willingness to try out new colours offering fans a fresh perspective on her fashion choices.

Beauty

Tacha Makes the Big Chop and Joins the Pixie Club

Published

2 weeks ago

15 January 2026

Laju Odogwu

Symply_Tacha - Instagram

Tacha has long been recognized for her long hairstyles, which has been a signature part of her public image. Last week, Natacha Akide, better known as Symply_Tacha, appeared with a pixie cut.

She is known for making daring choices in both style and public appearances. Her hair was cut short. The pixie sits close to the head, putting focus on her facial features instead of hair length or volume.

Symply_Tacha – Instagram

In a video she posted on her Instagram account on the day she got the Pixie haircut. Tacha, she laughs and drops a sarcastic statement, “I hope I don’t regret this forever,” but her tone makes it obvious she’s joking. There’s no second-guessing in how she speaks, it sounds like a decision she’s already settled on.

At the salon, she unexpectedly meets Tiwa Savage and greets her as “Queen Mother” after the cut, she talks about how the hair feels clean, fresh, and light, saying she loves the look and calling it “main character energy always active.” She also asked her fans if they would be getting the same hairstyle in 2026.

Symply_Tacha – Instagram

she also shared some pictures on her official Instagram page. She paired her hair with a light-yellow halter-neck maxi dress with a deep V-neckline and a thigh-high slit with a flowy shape, along with a pair of gold-rimmed square shaped sunglasses and thick gold bangles on both wrists paired with strappy-high heel sandals. The shoe has a unique laser-cut leaf motif on the straps.The outfit, simple allowing her haircut to shine while showing her personal style.

Beauty

Susy Oludele Just Gave Braids a Whole New Meaning

Published

3 weeks ago

10 January 2026

Laju Odogwu

Hairbysusy - Instagram

Susy Oludele has always been known for bold, creative hair work, and her latest braid design shows how far traditional braiding can be pushed into sculptural, three-dimensional territory. She created blonde braids shaped into stacked cubes, neatly arranged and styled on a model with albinism. Each cube is tight and aligned. The shapes are formed and anchored by slim, close-to-the-scalp braids.

Instead of lying flat or flowing, the braids stand upright, creating an architectural effect that requires extraordinary skill and control. It shows just how Susy can push braids into new shapes.

Hairbysusy – Instagram

Susy Oludele’s journey started in Nigeria at a young age. She is of Yoruba descent and began honing her craft on friends and family before taking her skills professionally. She founded hair by Susy and has built a reputation for turning braids into bold, memorable statements. She is widely recognised for her collaborations with Solange Knowles and Beyoncé, including the iconic “Lemonade” braids. She has also styled Zoë Kravitz, showing how she adapts traditional braiding techniques to modern looks.

Hairbysusy – Instagram

Her work is recognised for organic approach to styling, structure, and creativity, turning standard braids into memorable statements.

With these cube-stacked braids, Susy Oludele proves how creative braiding can be. believing that the most iconic looks come from vision and flow rather than strict trends.