For women entering their menopausal years, it can be a confusing and stressful time. With at least 34 different symptoms affecting both physical and mental health, it can feel very overwhelming.
One big change you’ll notice is with your skin. One of the most surprising things is how radically skin can change from one week to the next with dehydration, sensitivity, breakouts, fine lines and dullness.
Six main effects of menopause effects on the skin:
🧖🏼♀️ Dryness: Estrogen helps skin retain moisture, so its decline during menopause can lead to dry and dehydrated skin.
🧖🏼♀️ Wrinkles and fine lines: Reduced estrogen levels can accelerate the loss of collagen and elastin, proteins responsible for skin's elasticity and firmness. As a result, wrinkles and fine lines may become more noticeable.
🧖🏼♀️ Thinning skin: Estrogen also plays a role in maintaining the thickness of the skin. With its decline, the skin may become thinner and more fragile, making it more prone to bruises and cuts.
🧖🏼♀️ Skin sagging: Loss of collagen and elastin can contribute to skin sagging and a less defined facial contour.
🧖🏼♀️ Increased sensitivity: Some women may experience an increase in skin sensitivity during menopause, leading to heightened reactions to certain skincare products or environmental factors.
🧖🏼♀️ Changes in pigmentation: Hormonal fluctuations can sometimes lead to uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation (dark spots), or the development of melasma (patches of brown or gray-brown skin discoloration).
The word menopause literally means when your periods stop. The medical definition of being menopausal is when you have not had a period for one year. The menopause occurs when your ovaries no longer produce eggs and then levels of hormones called oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone reduce.
Menopause is a natural process that occurs in women typically in their late 40s or early 50s, marking the end of their reproductive years. During this transition the hormonal changes and decline in estrogen levels can effect the skin in various ways.
Many women experience a myriad of symptoms in the months and years before the menopause stage, a phase known as perimenopause. This typically starts around age 45, but can be experienced earlier as the reproductive hormones start to fluctuate. Causing periods become to irregular, some may experience hot flushes, aches and pains, dry skin and lower mood – just to name a few of the many symptoms.
Menopause and skincare
Women experiencing perimenopause and menopause often notice dramatic changes in their skin. Oestrogen plays a critical role in many skin functions such as collagen production. Studies show that women’s skin loses about 30% of its collagen during the first five years of menopause. After that, the decline is more gradual. Women lose about 2% of their collagen ever year for the next 20 years. Along with accelerated skin ageing, it’s common for skin to become very dry, itchy and sensitive.
Our top 3 menopausal skin saviours
Common skin conditions associated with menopause are; dryness, sensitivity (hot flushes anyone?) and accelerated ageing as oestrogen levels decrease.
It can be advisable to keep your regimen simple when your skin condition is unpredictable and in a constant state of fluctuation. Follow our Prep, Treat and Glow regimen with key formulas to nourish, soothe, firm and hydrate.
PREP
Intensive Moisture Cleanser to nourish dry skin and restore the skins depleted barrier whilst effectively cleansing and removing impurities. This cream based cleanser gives a thorough cleanse without compromising the skin's barrier function. It's great all year round, but one of my winter favorites!
TREAT
Smart Response Serum to manage four skin conditions at once - brightens, soothes, hydrates and firms. It micromanages your skin so you don’t have to. The ultimate in personalised skincare, it responds to your fluctuating skin condition to brighten, firm, hydrate and soothe where and when you need it. I love this product - great for menopause but it's also a travel favourite.
GLOW
Calm Water Gel to cool, soothe and hydrate in a light gel texture for weightless protection and environmental defence. This also helps to restore a depleted skin barrier and soothe sensitivity.
Menopause and mindset
Many women don’t get the support they need or simply aren’t aware of what’s out there or where to go. But with celebrities like Davina McCall and Lisa Snowdon raising awareness and speaking out about menopause, awareness is growing, this is empowering woman to take control of their menopause treatment.
Visit your GP or search for a local menopause clinic for help and advice with options such as HRT. And search ‘menopause’ on Instagram for top accounts to follow.
It's important to note that while these changes are common, not every woman will experience them to the same degree. Maintaining a good skincare routine, using moisturizers, investing in skincare products containing retinoids, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid, protecting the skin from sun exposure, and consulting with a dermatologist can all help manage the effects of menopause on the skin.
Thank you for reading, if this was useful please 🩵 and if it could help someone in your network, please share.
Thank you ~ Diana x
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