Would you smear period blood on your face in the hopes of improving your skin?
For the past couple of years, users on TikTok have been doing so. Some people even claim that the DIY beauty hack led to “the best their skin has ever looked.”
Whether you’re curious or appalled by the idea of period blood masks, here’s what you need to know about the trend.
What Is a Period Blood Face Mask?
What’s a period blood face mask? It’s exactly what it sounds like. You collect period blood – usually with a menstrual cup like DIVA Cup – and apply it to your skin as a treatment.
Most people sharing videos on social media leave the mask on for a few minutes before rinsing it off, though there is no formal consensus about how much blood to use or how long to leave it on.
Some people refer to the practice as “moon masking” and do it for spiritual reasons. “My great-grandmother practiced using moon blood face masks, which my mother passed on to me too,” artist Kamilla Bello, told Dazed. “These monthly rituals and practices deeply connect me back to my matriarchal lineage, and it reminds me of the power of all women.”
What’s the Deal With Period Blood Face Masks?
Other fans of period blood face masks do it for the skincare benefits, as they believe that it’s packed with complexion-boosting nutrients.
While a 2016 study that assessed the impact of menstrual blood-derived stem cells on skin regeneration showed promising results, most dermatologists will discourage you from using your menstrual blood as a face mask. It would be hard to do so in a sterile way at home, and there are also potential downsides.
“There is absolutely no scientific or medical evidence to support any benefits of using period blood on the skin,” according to board-certified dermatologist Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, founder of Dermatology Circle Clinic.
“It’s important to understand what period blood consists of: it is a mixture of blood, pieces of endometrial tissue, vaginal secretions and many bacteria. There are also some proteins, nutrients, hormones, and stem cells that likely led to the idea to try it on the face,” says Kazlouskaya, who recommends against using period blood as a skincare treatment.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Period Blood As Skincare
So, if it’s free, all-natural and contains nutrients that may give you a glow, what’s so bad about it? It can lead to infections – including bacterial and yeast ones, according to Kazlouskaya. There’s even the potential risk of spreading sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to your facial skin.
And if you think the anecdotal beauty benefits reported by TikTok users are worth the risk, know that you could end up actually irritating your skin. "Red blood cells are pro-inflammatory and may make [skin] worse,” Gary Goldenberg, M.D., founder of Goldenberg Dermatology, told Shape.
If you’re into the idea of using your own blood to improve your skin, you may want to look into a Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) facial, also known as a vampire facial, instead – it can boost collagen production and improve skin quality. Granted, it’s not cheap, but it’s performed by a trained professional in sanitary conditions.
If you’re drawn to period blood face masks for spiritual reasons, you could consider exploring different rituals to connect to your feminine power and ancestors.
Period blood is nothing to be grossed out about, but it does involve bacteria. Spreading it on your face could end up causing more harm than good.
