What Is Menstrual Masking? The Skincare Trend Where Women Uses Period Blood On Face

Vampire facial, Snail slime to bird poop facial – the list of bizarre skincare trends goes on and on. The internet keeps amping up new, and often strange, skincare rituals that go viral. One such trend that has been doing the rounds since quite some time in the skincare world is that of menstrual masking.

As the name suggests, it indeed is related to menstruation. Women, who follow this trend, use their own period blood as a facial mask. Sounds shocking, right? But it is the truth. And trust us when we say this – this trend has got followers globally. So, what exactly is menstrual masking and how safe is it? If you are curious to know, read ahead.

To get an expert view on this, the editorial team of OnlyMyHealth reached out to Dr Shireen Furtado, Sr Consultant - Medical & Cosmetic Dermatology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore. 

What Is Menstrual Masking?

The world of skincare is a fascinating one. Every other day there is something new that comes up – be it skinimalism, slugging or skin cycling. What’s interesting is people seem to be walking an extra mile to get that perfect glass skin. Similarly, a few years ago, the skincare trend menstrual masking made its way.

In the viral skincare trend, women were seen applying their own menstrual blood on their face like an at-home facial treatment. The trend was popularised and given the name ‘menstrual masking’. It also goes by the name ‘moon masking’. This is related to the belief that the moon cycle influences and affects our menstrual cycle.

Is Menstrual Blood Good For Skin?

Some studies have indicated that menstrual blood may be beneficial for skin.
A 2016 study noted that “menstrual blood-derived stem cells are a real source to design differentiation to epidermal cells that can be used non-invasively in various dermatological lesions and diseases.”

Another study, which was published in the World Journal of Plastic Surgery, discovered that stem cells derived from period blood is a “suitable cell source in repair and regeneration of skin diseases and naturally photoaging of skin” caused by long-term sun exposure.

Dr Furtado sheds light on this. She says, "Period blood is not good for the skin because it is not a clean or sterile substance and can carry natural bacteria that may cause infection or irritation when applied to the face, especially if you have acne, open pores, or small cuts."

She adds, "Some people think it has nutrients, but doctors say these nutrients do not work when applied on the skin and there is no scientific proof that period blood improves glow, reduces acne, or slows aging. Instead, it can lead to redness, breakouts, allergic reactions, or even serious skin infections if hygiene is poor. Safe, tested skincare products work much better and do not carry these risks, so using period blood on the face is not recommended."

Speaking about the study claims that menstrual blood might have healing properties, she says, "Menstrual blood does not have proven healing properties for the skin because the cells and hormones it contains do not work the same way when placed on the face. There is no concrete scientific study showing that it can repair skin, reduce acne, or improve glow. While some people on social media claim it helps, doctors say these benefits are untested and unsafe to rely on."

Period Blood On Face – Yay Or Nay?

Some women have shared their menstrual masking journey on social media, and spoken about how it has benefited them. Some studies too have mentioned that period blood may be good for our skin. But despite all this, one cannot state with certainty that menstrual masking is a safe skincare ritual. Rather, many skincare professionals are completely against it.

Many experts have called out menstrual masking for being an unhygienic and baseless practice. Some dermatologists have questioned whether it actually yields any benefits or not.

Speaking about its safety, many professionals noted that period blood may be natural, but it passes through the vaginal canal, during which it can pick bacteria and fungi such as staphylococcus aureus. This can lead to infections if it gets inside cuts or pores of the skin. Menstrual blood also contains uterine tissue, cervical cells, and vaginal fluids. All of these carry bacteria.

Dr Furtado shares that this trend comes with risks. She shares, "Menstrual masking, where people apply their menstrual blood on the face as a skincare treatment, is not considered safe because the blood can carry bacteria and viruses that may enter small cuts or pores and cause infection, and the skin on the face is very delicate and can react badly to such exposure. The biggest risks include skin irritation, rashes, acne flare-ups, allergic reactions, and the chance of spreading infections if the blood is not handled hygienically; and even healthy people can have microbes in their blood that become harmful when applied to the skin. There is no proven benefit for the skin, so the risks are higher than any possible gain, making this trend not worth trying."

Thus, the safety of menstrual masking remains a big question. And one must be careful before following a viral skincare trend. It is always advisable to consult a professional before incorporating any new skincare regime into your daily life. Better be safe than sorry, isn’t it?

Also Read: TikTok’s ‘Morning Shed’ Trend: Does It Really Benefit Your Skin? A Dermatologist Weighs In

The Final Word

Menstrual masking is a viral skincare trend where women use their own period blood as a facial mask. Despite some studies noting that period blood might be beneficial for skin, dermatologists are against this practice and question its effectiveness and safety.