The weird and wonderful world of beauty is showering us with everything from snail mucin to scorpion venom with the promise of better skin. But on TikTok, things tend to get even more interesting when it comes to skincare trends. Case in point: menstrual blood masks.
In recent months, menstrual blood masks, also known as menstrual masks, have gained attention thanks to several TikTok users who say the practice improves their skin, making it smoother and even curing acne.
one Tik Toker she said that in addition to using her menstrual blood as a face mask, she applied it to fresh tattoos to help them heal. “The initial benefits I noticed after the treatment were brighter, tighter skin and a reduction in the appearance of any acne blemishes and scars,” said the 29-year-old. Michelle Ferullo. “The visual benefits were subtle, but enough to keep doing it.”
And it’s easy: Ferullo said that after a shower, she slips her fingers into her vagina, bleeds from her fingertips, and rubs a light layer all over her clean face. “I let it sit for 20 minutes, then I wash it off and go on with the rest of my regular skincare routine,” she said.
The hashtag #periodbloodfacemask currently has over 4.7 million views on TikTok, and videos of people applying the masks have been circulating on the video-sharing app since 2020. (That same year, writer Jessica DeFino made the mask herself and she documented her experience for Cosmopolitan.) However, menstrual blood face masks really started to go viral in late 2022. And, unsurprisingly, they led to mixed reactions.
Vintage masks are quite the polarizing topic, it seems. While TikTok users shared similar sentiments with Ferullo, others were disappointed by the practice. Some just troll the hashtag by applying Regular Exfoliating Solution AHA 30% + BHA 2%., a powerful exfoliating treatment known for its affordable price and blood red formula.
Are there skin care benefits?
“Menstrual blood is made up of three things: blood, vaginal fluid, and cells and fluid from the endometrial lining of the uterus,” she said. Dr. Stephanie Hack, an OB/GYN surgeon and founder of the Lady Parts Doctor Podcast. She explained that menstrual blood contains minerals, nutrients and stem cells, however, that doesn’t exactly translate to skin care.
Many dermatologists are not convinced of the supposed skin benefits of masks. “There appear to be anecdotal stories of benefit where people report seeing improvements in acne or overall ‘glow’, but there is no clinical evidence and the medical information we know of indicates this is unlikely,” she said. Dr. Ava Shamban, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills. “I think it’s popularized by those who would do anything in the name of beauty for social media, who are looking for glam by the gram regardless of the dermal disaster.”
The benefits of blood are a real thing, but not that some kind of blood, Shamban said. Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, and platelet-rich fibrin, or PRF, “have both been highly discussed and scrutinized in dermatological, surgical and aesthetic circles for their proven healing and anti-aging benefits,” she said. But they can only be derived from machines found in a dermatologist’s office.
Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and clinical instructor of dermatology at Cornell University’s Weill Medical College, also pointed out the lack of scientific evidence to suggest that menstrual blood is good for the skin. “Menstrual blood is a mixture of skin cells shed from the lining of the uterus and red and white blood cells,” she said. “There is no data to show that whole blood has any benefit when applied topically, and that red blood cells may even be pro-inflammatory.”
Plasma treatments are something else entirely, King explained. “With PRP, the blood is sterilely drawn and then centrifuged to separate the PRP layer, which is the platelet-rich plasma layer that is rich in growth factors,” he said. “These growth factors are concentrated in PRP applied to the skin.”
Are period blood masks safe for your skin?
Ferullo said doctors who reject the idea of menstrual blood face masks are reacting from a place of internalized misogyny and their own comfort zones. “Going back to the point of internalized misogyny, their observations alone make menstrual blood look dirty, germy, and unsanitary,” the TikToker said. “This practice is much more than just a face mask, which yes, I’m sure you can find a more effective one on the market. It’s about connecting to your feminine energy, establishing a nurturing relationship with your body, and creating a positive association with this time of the month – all of which I gladly take the risk.
But doctors’ warnings serve an important purpose: to protect your health.
Many dermatologists, including Shamban and King, advise against menstrual blood masks. “Menstrual blood is full of vaginal secretions, endometrial lining, bacteria, fungi and microbes that form the ‘ecosystem’ downstairs,” Shamban said. “This blood product is not recommended because it may transfer bacteria or other microbes that could do the skin more harm than good.”
Hacks he said that any disease or infection of the blood will also affect the menstrual blood. “There are no well-known scientific studies demonstrating the safety (or lack thereof) of menstrual masking,” she added.
I am an experienced author and journalist with a passion for lifestyle journalism. I currently work for Buna Times, one of the leading news websites in the world. I specialize in writing stories about health, wellness, fashion, beauty, interior design, and more. My articles have been featured on major publications such as The Guardian and The Huffington Post.