Jacinta Curnow offers a fresh approach to skincare, focusing on hormones and holistic healing.
Name: Jacinta Curnow
Pronouns: she/her
Day job: Corneotherapist, Owner of Jacinta Curnow Skin and Naturopath Student
Location: Singleton, Perth
Describe your work in one sentence…
I’m a Holistic Skin Therapist dedicated to restoring confidence in women with skin barrier disorders like acne, dermatitis, and rosacea through education and treatment from the inside out.
How did your journey lead you here?
I was a regular skin therapist, running a home studio for around four years before the COVID lockdowns. When hair and beauty businesses were temporarily closed, I took the opportunity to immerse myself in skin anatomy courses, which led me to discover Corneotherapy - a bespoke, focused approach to skin. As Perth clinics reopened, I returned with a fresh, holistic mindset and a treatment menu focused not on ablative procedures but on promoting healthy skin function. This shift from simply ‘renewing’ the skin to understanding why it wasn’t functioning correctly has shaped how I treat and care for my clients today.
How does this differ from conventional treatments?
When studying beauty therapy in Australia, you are taught that the skin cells are dead and must be exfoliated to make the skin appear softer and smoother. ‘The stronger the peel, the better the results.’ When you are a Corneotherapist, it’s the complete opposite. Our job is to help support the skin to its healthiest form so that it can exfoliate naturally and protect itself again. When the skin is ‘dry,’ we don’t just exfoliate the dry skin off, we look at why the skin isn’t exfoliating or functioning correctly anymore.
How do hormonal changes affect skin, and what can help?
My clients are so different - some break out at ovulation (me included), while others break out during their cycles. Our oil quality and quantity change, along with dryness or congestion. By understanding the different phases of our menstrual cycle and how they impact the skin, you can better tailor your skincare routine and lifestyle to address what each phase needs.
How does stress affect skin and hormones, and what self-care helps?
Stress plays a role in all our lives. When combined with hormones, stress is a recipe for inflammation, slow wound healing, flare-ups, and, in prolonged cases, chronic skin and health issues. I love aromatherapy, feeling-good music, mindful movement like Pilates or walking, and a good at-home lymphatic face mask!
What’s a good skincare routine for each menstrual phase?
I recommend sticking to the same daily skincare routine throughout your cycle; I would incorporate a bespoke mask or enzyme peel during the luteal or menstrual phase when the skin can experience a buildup and changes in oil production. Some clients align their facials with their cycle, so I can help heal the skin faster and support it when it's at its worst.
What’s your go-to skincare for period breakouts?
My favourite free hack is ice! I suffer from those big, sore chin breakouts, so I soothe them with an ice cube morning and night. Cleanse as normal, then apply the ice to the pimples to reduce inflammation before applying your serums and moisturiser. This step will help your products work better, especially BHAs like salicylic acid.
How do diet and hydration impact skin during hormonal shifts?
I highly recommend high-dose omega-3 supplements to all my acne and impaired barrier clients. This helps improve the quality of oil being produced through the hair follicle, reduce inflammation, and improve the skin barrier. Avoid alcohol and increase water intake, especially when your detox pathways are busy removing excess hormones and cellular/blood waste.
Are there signs skin issues may be related to hormonal imbalances?
Persistent acne, especially around the jaw, chin, or neck, insulin resistance, hair thinning or excess hair growth, and inflammation. I see many clients who come off hormone contraceptives and are now being diagnosed with PCOS and endometriosis because it has been masked for years, while developing below the surface.
Can menstrual conditions worsen rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis?
These skin barrier disorders are closely linked to hormone fluctuations. Estrogen can be anti-inflammatory, while progesterone and androgens tend to have more inflammatory effects.
What are your go-to calming ingredients during period flare-ups?
Getting the skin as healthy as possible comes first, so when there is a change in oil, the skin functions at peak performance to heal or protect. I love Azelaic Acid for hormonal breakouts, as it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. This is great for acne and rosacea. A cellulose sheet mask can be so calming without adding any actives or exfoliants.
Advice for coming off birth control and facing skin issues?
My advice is to get your hormones and nutrient levels tested, even before you come off. When on contraceptives, you can become deficient in many essential minerals; even a copper IUD can affect these. It’s best to work with a holistic skin therapist who can help prepare your skin before you come off anything, looking at all aspects, not just 'clearing' the acne if it comes. Most contraceptives alter or stop you from ovulating, so when you finally come off, your body is learning to produce hormones and ovulate again. This is when we see 'bounce back' acne.
What does period self-care mean to you?
Not overbooking myself with treatments! I’m lucky that my period is regular, and I can forecast my work around my cycle. I make sure I have extra breaks and then make up for it when I’m in that productive zone during ovulation. This has helped me take the pressure off myself during my period, especially with work and exercise.
Why do you think periods are STILL such a taboo topic?
There is a shift happening. When I first started skin consultations, you would awkwardly ask, 'Are you regular?' then move on. Now, we see how much our period and cycle connect with everything. Clients are more open to talking about it or asking for advice.
Hopes for the future of periods and period talk.
More education on what happens to the WHOLE body when you go on contraceptives. I think this next generation of mums will research and be more educated when making those decisions for our daughters. I remember the doctor talking about blood clots, not realising how this pill was going to affect me physically and mentally. I see a lot more teens now where parents don’t want to 'just put them on the pill' for acne, looking for more holistic alternatives.
SKIN MYTHs vs FACTs:
- Does your skin get worse just before your period? Many factors contribute to an acne breakout - stress, sleep, sugar cravings, hormone shifts, insulin levels, detox pathways. I tend to break out around ovulation, rather than during my actual period. Everyone's hormone receptors are different, and they may be sensitive to varying triggers at various times.
- Do certain foods like chocolate or chips cause breakouts during PMS? From an internal perspective, it can be linked to the quality of oil your body is producing and inflammation levels. It’s also essential to consider insulin and glucose spikes. For example, eating chocolate in the afternoon or late at night might impact your skin more than you realise.
- Are expensive skincare products more effective for treating hormonal skin? No. The key to treating hormonal skin is addressing internal factors. Skincare can help with the physiological causes of pimples but can't completely prevent them. The goal should be to get your skin barrier functioning properly, balance your pH, and improve oil quality. However, it’s time to seek internal support if acne continues to return or persist.
- Should we detox for better skin during periods. Your body knows how to detox itself naturally. I avoid alcohol during ovulation because I know my body is already busy trying to remove excess hormones. For example, if there’s a buildup in your lymphatic system, it can manifest as acne or histamine responses. The same goes for skin! When supported, our skin exfoliates itself. We’ve been taught that dry skin should be exfoliated to make it smoother or healthier. But a buildup of skin often occurs because the skin is lacking water and oil. Relying on exfoliating products daily doesn’t address the root cause of dryness and can make it worse, creating a vicious cycle.
MY CYCLE
- My period in 3-words: Heavy, on-time, empowering
- Period self-care toolkit: Period undies are LIFE! I love the Boyshort.
- Best period hacks: I’m big on water therapy, such as showers, baths (we reco adding our Soothing Suds!), and ocean dips.
-
On day 1, you'll find me... Walking the dog, prioritising sleep and meals.
