Menstrual Masking: Viral Beauty Trend or Health Risk?

Viral menstrual facial skincare is the latest TikTok-driven beauty trend to spark curiosity and concern. In recent months, videos have shown users applying their own menstrual blood to their faces, calling it a “natural glow mask” or a spiritual ritual. While the idea is framed as empowering and eco-conscious, medical experts say the science does not support it.

What is viral menstrual facial skincare?

Often called menstrual masking, this trend involves collecting menstrual blood, commonly using a menstrual cup and spreading a thin layer on the face for a few minutes before rinsing. Supporters claim it improves glow, reduces acne, and rejuvenates skin.

Additionally, the trend is sometimes linked to spirituality or “moon rituals,” appealing to people who favor natural, low-cost, DIY skincare over conventional products. However, popularity does not equal safety.

Why has this trend gone viral?

Several factors fuel the spread of viral menstrual facial skincare:

Shock value and taboo-breaking content
The promise of “natural” and anti-commercial beauty
Misinterpretation of real stem-cell research
Strong body-positivity and empowerment narratives

However, it is important to pause here. Social media virality often moves much faster than medical evidence.

What is actually in menstrual blood?

To understand the risks, it helps to know what menstrual blood contains. It is not just blood. It is a mixture of:

Red and white blood cells
Shed uterine (endometrial) tissue
Vaginal and cervical secretions

Because it passes through the vaginal canal, menstrual blood is not sterile. Applying it directly to facial skin can disrupt the skin barrier and introduce bacteria or inflammatory material.

The stem cell confusion: what science really says

Yes, menstrual blood contains menstrual blood–derived mesenchymal stem cells (MenSCs). These cells are being actively studied in laboratories because they are regenerative and easy to grow under controlled conditions.

Research published in journals such as Stem Cell Research & Therapy and BMC Medicine has shown that purified MenSCs or their extracellular vesicles can:

Improve wound healing in animal models
Reduce inflammation
Support tissue repair

However, and this is crucial:

These studies use isolated and purified cells, not raw menstrual fluid
They are performed under strict sterile laboratory conditions
They are medical and experimental, not cosmetic
None involve applying menstrual blood to human facial skin

In short, laboratory science does not translate into a bathroom skincare routine.

Why DIY menstrual masking is unsafe

There are zero peer-reviewed clinical trials showing that applying unprocessed menstrual blood to the face is safe or effective.

Medical concerns include:

Bacterial skin infections
Worsening acne or dermatitis
Disruption of the skin barrier
Risk of bloodborne pathogens

Organisations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clearly state that blood and certain body fluids can carry infectious agents, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Human blood is treated as a biohazard in healthcare settings for a reason.

Similarly, the World Health Organization emphasizes that safe handling of blood requires medical-grade infection control practices, something no home setup can replicate.

What dermatologists and public health experts agree on

Dermatologists and health authorities consistently warn against unregulated cosmetic practices performed outside clinical environments. History shows that such trends have led to outbreaks of bacterial and even mycobacterial skin infections.

To be clear:

MenSC research belongs in biotechnology and regenerative medicine
It does not support raw menstrual blood as a skincare product
Viral menstrual facial skincare has no dermatological approval

Conclusion

Skincare does not need to be extreme to be effective. Evidence-based routines using gentle cleansers, moisturisers, sunscreen, retinoids, vitamin C, and barrier-repair ingredients are supported by decades of clinical research.
While menstrual stem-cell science is real and promising, it is not cosmetic-grade, not topical, and not DIY. Applying menstrual blood to the face offers no proven benefit and carries real health risks.
Viral menstrual facial skincare may be trending, but medicine is clear: your period blood belongs in a pad, tampon, or cup, not on your skin.

As with all health trends, if a claim sounds dramatic but lacks clinical trials, caution is not negativity; it is good medicine.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources

Priya Bairagi

Copy-Writer & Content Editor

All Posts

I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.