Menopause Skincare
As we mature our wisdom and confidence may grow, but the same isn’t true for our hormone levels. With an unbelievable 51 different symptoms reported within the perimenopause stage, it is no wonder for some woman that change can feel like it happens overnight!
What Happens To Your Skin During The Menopause?
Skin regeneration, rejuvenation and the skin’s ability to repair significantly slow down when your skin reaches the menopause, whilst many of the skin’s ageing processes are increased, it’s the level of the hormone Oestrogen that dramatically drops and has the biggest impact on our skin.
Oestrogen plays such a significant role in the structure and thickness of our skin, that with this hormone depleting, your skin’s elasticity and radiance can be hugely affected. This hormone alone affects so many other elements, your skin can also suffer from a loss of natural lipids, ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol, which contributes to inflammation, irritation and dehydration and can lead to a compromised skin barrier.
The Eight Skin Changes During The Menopause:
Thinning of the skin
Slackness and wrinkles
Dry, dull and dehydration
Sensitivity and irritation
Redness, inflammation and possible bruising
Dark spots
Large pores
Acne
Fortunately, you can relieve and manage some of these skin-related effects by taking care of your skin with a routine designed to target and nourish oestrogen-depleted complexions.
30% Collagen Loss During the Menopause
Studies have shown that a woman’s skin loses up to 30% of its collagen during the first 5 years of the menopause. After that the decline is more gradual, losing around 2% of collagen every year for the next 20 years. Oestrogen is essential component of the skin’s function and the oestrogen receptors are key to produce collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid and wound healing. During the menopause our skin becomes oestrogen deficient, the oestrogen receptors decrease impacting specifically collagen I and III which are found in different layers of the skin and affect the skins density, plumpness and flexibility.
The Collagen Boosting Strategy
As this decline in oestrogen really impacts the Collagen levels which are giving structure, firmness, bounce and resilience the priority needs to be twofold:
Ingredients and products that are proven to stimulate Collagen, Elastin and Hyaluronic Acid
Ingredients that aid the skins wound healing process
Retinol, Vitamin C, Peptides and Amino Acids are all proven to stimulate Collagen, and Hyaluronic Acid can be easily added to your skin care routine either through serums, moisturisers or hydrating mists. Centella Asiatica, you may have heard it call Indian Pennywort, Tiger herb, Cica or Gotu Kola is brilliant at aiding the skins wound healing process and reducing skin inflammation. Be aware to not ignore the wounding healing factor in your skincare, as this is a huge part of how the skin reacts to daily aggressions and how the skin repairs and protects the other cells. Try to incorporate a wound healing mask, mist or serum that contains Cica.
Dry, Dull and Dehydrated Skin
During the menopause not only is there a decrease in collagen, but there is also a decline in lipids, ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol, all the components the skin needs for a strong healthy skin barrier, and compromises the ability of our skin to hold water. With all of these factors and a slower cell turnover the skin can start to appear thinner, drier and duller. Giving the skin what it needs is going to be more important than ever before. Be sure to check out my previous blog on fatty acids and omegas, you can find it here Skin Fatty Acids And Omegas 101 — Fiona Brackenbury, as omegas and fatty acids are going to be skin saviours whilst your skin goes through the menopause.
The Moisture Boosting Strategy
Just like the Collagen boosting strategy, the moisture boosting strategy is twofold:
Ingredients and products to bring moisture, hydration and which support the skin barrier are the key.
Ingredients and products that will effectively and gently boost the skin desquamation process. As the skin goes through the menopause the skin holds on to the dead skin cells as a form of protection.
Facial oils, cleansing balms and ceramide rich moisturisers will be your daily skincare essentials to support the lack of lipids, omegas and fatty acids in the skin. You will no longer look at cleansing balms as just removing makeup and cleansing the skin, the good ones bring so much more. You may also notice your skin prefers the facial oils at nighttime as well as in the morning and that’s fine, listen you your skin it will help guide you. Exfoliation has always been an essential skincare step but now it brings more complexity as the skin is thinner, more sensitive and appears drier and lacking in radiance. Be smart in your choice of exfoliation and don’t overdo it, exfoliating acids maybe the smarter choice initially as you feel they are limiting the manipulation to the skin, and they certainly are but be careful you can’t see the impact they have until it’s too late and the skin reacts. It’s important to get the balance right between daily and weekly exfoliation and peels.
Menopausal Skin Sensitivity
With the skin’s barrier being one of the most important parts of the skin, it’s really important we understand that during the menopause the health of our skin barrier can be hugely compromised. If the skin barrier becomes weakened, we cannot control what leaves the skin and what also enters and attacks the skin. We want to prevent pollution and allergens from entering the skin and causing irritation. If you think your skin barrier may be compromised or you’re not sure how to tell of your skin barrier has weakened check out my blog here Skin Barrier 101 — Fiona Brackenbury
The Skin Strengthening Strategy
You are probably seeing a pattern to helping your skin during the menopause, but it’s good to keep an eye on your skin sensitivity levels. I liken the skin to a volcano, it can rumble and cause no real concern but one day it erupts and you know about it. The twofold strategy for strengthening your skin and keeping sensitivity at bay:
Support your skin as much as you can with sunscreen that offers more than just SPF and add antioxidants into your routine. I you get these two right you’re protecting your skin for the two most harmful aggressions.
Don’t overdo anything when it comes to skincare, every few months or even one week of a month make a conscious decision to choose anti-inflammatory ingredients and products and have an anti-inflammatory week.
Choosing fragrance-free products will help limit irritation, likewise essential oils, exfoliating acids, vitamin C and retinol for some skins can cause irritation no two skins are alike. Redness and inflammation are the main worry and for many women its relentless hot flushes that can cause overheating of the skin. These can exasperate sensitive skin conditions, such as Rosacea (look out for a blog on sensitivity coming soon) and also age spots and hyperpigmentation are challenged when there is high levels of inflammation.
Menopause Skin Takeaways
Slow and steady always wins the race when it comes to skincare, however this is now even more true for your skin during the menopause.
Every so often check in on your skin and treat it to some TLC, lots of anti-inflammatories and calming, nurturing skincare even if you don’t normally have sensitive skin
Your skin needs your help more than ever.
Beware of introducing new skincare especially when your adding complexity or strength in actives, one new skincare item a month not a completely new routine all at once.
Thank You For Reading
I hope you have enjoyed this blog, please let me know if you need any help with your skin.
Stay tuned for more blogs and follow me on social media for latest launches and more skin school.
Bye for now,
Fiona x
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