Hi, I’m Ema, an award-winning Hair & Beauty Artist. Over the next few months, I’ll be sharing my new series of blogs to discuss menopause - what it is, how it affects us and what you can do to maintain glowing, healthy skin. Whilst menopause brings a transformative change to a woman’s life, with the right skincare, supplements and makeup (and a positive attitude!), you can see this as a chance to reignite a new you with a sense of confidence so you can handle whatever comes your way.
I hope you enjoy my blogs!
In my last blog, I discussed how menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's reproductive years, and while it is often associated with hormonal changes and various physical and emotional symptoms, one key aspect is its impact on our skin health. Changes to our skin are common during menopause and perimenopause, with studies showing up to 64% of women reporting problems with their skin (source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) The menopausal transition can lead to significant changes in our skin's appearance and overall condition, and for some of us, this can affect our self-esteem and quality of life. In this blog, we will explore how menopause affects your skin and look at the strategies and interventions that you can do to help you manage these changes effectively, and maintain healthy, glowing skin.
How The Hormonal Changes During Menopause Affect Your Skin
During menopause, oestrogen and progesterone levels significantly decrease, and oestrogen plays a vital role in maintaining skin health by promoting collagen production, skin thickness, and hydration. This happens because skin receptors in our epidermis and dermis that respond to oestrogen and progesterone start to shut down and stop responding to the already declining hormone levels.
Loss of collagen
The reduction in oestrogen also leads to a decline in collagen production, resulting in decreased skin elasticity and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Dry skin
Oestrogen is one of our skin’s natural hydration mechanisms and helps the skin produce ceramides, natural hyaluronic acid and sebum. Lower oestrogen levels can cause a decrease in natural oil production, leading to dry, flaky skin.
Thinner skin As women age and go through menopause, the epidermis, which is the outermost, protective layer of skin, becomes thinner, making it more vulnerable to environmental damage and slower to heal.
Changes in pigmentation Hyperpigmentation refers to hormonal fluctuations during menopause, which can trigger an increase in melanin production, leading to dark spots and uneven skin tone. Some women can develop melasma, a condition characterised by brown or grey-brown patches on the face.
Skin Issues Associated With Menopause
Wrinkles and fine lines Because we produce less collagen, this decline leads to the formation of wrinkles and fine lines, especially around the eyes and mouth.
Dryness and dehydration During menopause, the oil produced by our skin decreases and this can result in dry, flaky skin that feels tight and uncomfortable. This then has a knock on effect of allowing trans-epidermal moisture loss to increase, thereby the skin becomes more dehydrated.
Acne and breakouts Hormonal fluctuations and imbalances during menopause can lead to increased acne breakouts and blemishes. Acne can be very distressing at any stage of life.
Sagging skin Loss of elasticity due to reduced collagen and elastin production plus the decline of bone density in the skull contribute to sagging skin, particularly around the eyes, jawline and neck.
Skin sensitivity, itchiness and redness Some of us can experience increased skin sensitivity and may develop allergies or skin conditions like rosacea. Rosacea is a condition in which the blood vessels in the skin become very reactive making our skin red and irritated.
6 Ways To Manage Menopausal Skin Changes Through Your Skincare Routine
1. Skincare Supplements.
I’ve started with supplements, as they should be the starting point for your skincare routine. However, I will talk about them more in my next blog. But consider that topical skincare ingredients affect the top 50% of your skin, and only on the skin where the creams are applied. Whereas skincare supplements affect the lower 50% of the skin, by feeding the skin from the inside, yet they affect the skin all over the body.
My Professional Recommendation: Advanced Nutrition Programme for skin targetted optimal nutrition supplements.
2. Correct Cleansing.
Skin cleansing is essential in promoting and maintaining a healthy complexion by removing makeup, dirt, pollutants, excess sweat and oils, and preparing the skin for further products. Use a mild, hydrating cleanser to remove impurities without stripping the skin's natural oils. Try to avoid soap, which is too alkaline for the skin and can cause drying.
3. Effective Toning.
Toners are used to enhance the penetration of other products, refine the appearance of the skin and most importantly, restore the skin's protective barrier. Toners containing Lactic, Glycolic or Salicylic Acid help to promote exfoliation without scrubbing. Avoid scrubs at all costs as they are too harsh and are detrimental to the skin’s protective layer.
4. Moisturising With Vitamin A.
Consider incorporating retinoids (a form of Vitamin A) into your skincare routine, it is the only vitamin that can affect the DNA of the skin and is responsible for healthy skin cells and thus improving the condition of the skin. Topical vitamin A moisturisers stimulate collagen and elastin, normalise the sebaceous glands which produce oil, stimulate cell turnover and contribute towards normalising melanin production, which affect pigmentation. Moisturising twice daily combats dryness and helps maintain smooth, healthy skin – apply your moisturiser gently, using upward strokes.
My Professional Recommendation: Environ's unique vitamin A step-up system to gradually and gently introduce the highest levels of vitamin A to your skin.
5. Apply Sun Protection Daily.
A daily sunscreen will help protect your skin against UV damage, which can exacerbate skin pigmentation issues and accelerate ageing. Aim for a broad-spectrum sunscreen which protects against UVA and UVB rays in a high factor SPF (SPF30 is perfectly adequate) and reapply your sunscreen every two hours that you are in the sun. If you are worried about any dark sun spots or changing moles, see your doctor.
6. Don’t stop at your face – remember to care for your neck and décolleté.
Your neck and décolleté (pronounced “dec-ah-low-tey”) are often overlooked when it comes to skincare application. It is important to concentrate on your face but don’t neglect the area below which naturally has less elasticity than the skin on your face. The skin on your neck and décolleté is thin, delicate and prone to the same issues of sun damage, dryness, fine lines and wrinkles. Treat these areas in the same way you care for your face as the right treatment can help to slow down the signs of ageing, encourage skin renewal and plump fine lines and wrinkles.
HRT and lifestyle
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Some women choose HRT as a treatment to help with menopause symptoms. HRT replaces the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which fall to low levels as we approach the menopause. Consult with your doctor about the potential benefits and risks of HRT.
Healthy lifestyle choices
Eat a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids to support overall skin health.
Regular physical activity can help to improve circulation and promote healthy skin.
Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation or yoga to minimise the impact of stress on your body, mind and skin.
Final word - embrace the change and focus on self-care for your skin and for you
Remember that menopausal skin changes are a natural part of ageing and menopause brings about a multitude of changes in our life, including its effects on our skin. Be patient with yourself and focus on self-care and self-acceptance.
We understand the decline in oestrogen levels, collagen production, and skin thickness can lead to wrinkles, dryness, pigmentation issues, and other skin concerns but, with proper skincare, the right products and lifestyle adjustments, you can effectively manage these changes and maintain healthy, radiant skin throughout your menopausal journey.
Join me for my next blog to talk about menopause supplements in more detail.
Toodles for now. Ema x