Are you Menopausal? Here are the skincare and treatments to consider
Menopause has a surprisingly significant effect on your skin’s appearance, but there is much you can do to counteract its effects. Most women become menopausal between the ages of 45 and 60. The natural decline in estrogen ends the menstrual cycle but it also has an impact on skin and its underlying structure.
Effect on skin and appearance
Menopause causes many changes to your skin. Your body stops making as much collagen. You lose some fat under your skin and your skin's elasticity drops. That, combined with dryness caused by hormonal changes, can cause sagging -- especially around the neck, jawline, and cheeks -- and fine lines and wrinkles become more prevalent. The lines and wrinkles you get with menopause are often crow's feet and lines above the upper lip. The reduction of oil causes dry, itchy, and easily irritable skin, it IS more prone to photodamage and hyperpigmentation and unwanted growth of facial hair.
A reduction of collagen makes the skin less elastic; the skin loses volume and tightness. Women lose 30% of the overall collagen content that is present in their skin within five years of menopause and then continues at around 2% every year. Collagen loss is usually most noticeable around the eyes and lower face.
Hormone fluctuations can also mean breakouts. These usually occur along the jawline, and sometimes even those who have never had breakouts will get them.
During menopause skin starts to become thinner and the natural rate of skin cell turnover slows right down. The skin can become more transparent due to a lack of essential fatty acids and lines can look deeper.
Age spots and other signs of sun-damaged skin
If you have spent a lot of time in the sun without sun protection, you will likely see the effects now. Age spots and larger areas of darker skin can appear on your face, hands, neck, arms, and chest.
What you can do to protect your skin
- Apply sunscreen every day before going outdoors. Apply it to all skin that clothing won’t cover.
- Make an appointment to see a dermatologist for a skin cancer screening. Your risk of getting skin cancer increases with age. As your risk rises, skin cancer screenings become so important. The earlier you find skin cancer and precancerous growths, the more treatable they are.
- Try our AMPERNA® Pro + Bio Soothing Day Mineral CC SPF15, This lightweight, non-greasy physical SPF day moisturising lotion is an adaptive formula and is suitable for all skin tones.
Dry skin
In menopause, skin loses some ability to hold water, so skin can get quite dry.
What you can do to help combat dry skin
- Wash with a gentle mild cleanser that does not leave your skin feeling tight or stripped.
- Apply moisturiser throughout the day when your skin feels dry. A moisturiser with hyaluronic acid can be especially helpful.
- Try our AMPERNA® Lightweight Soothing Emulsion, This lightweight cationic moisturiser contains a probiotic, ceramides, hyaluronic acid and emollients to help nourish the skin and protect it from free radical damage.
- Skip long, hot showers and put on moisturiser while your skin is still damp. That helps boost hydration.
- Exfoliation or microdermabrasion may help, but you want to see your dermatologist before trying one of these. At menopause, skin becomes thinner and trying one of these at home may cause more harm than good.
Facial hair
As levels of female hormones fall, you can see unwanted hair under your chin and along your jawline or above your lip.
What you can do
Waxing may be an option but treat with caution. Your skin becomes thinner during menopause so your skin can tear and bleed. A board-certified dermatologist can tell you what you can use to remove unwanted hair. Options include laser hair removal and a prescription hair-reduction cream.
Jowls, slack skin, and wrinkles
As collagen diminishes, our skin loses it firmness and begins to sag. Jowls appear. Permanent lines run from the tip of the nose to the corners of the mouth. Wrinkles that used to appear only with a smile or frown become visible all the time. Larger pores appear also due to lack of skin firmness.
What you can do
If sagging skin or wrinkles bother you:
- Protect your skin from the sun. This can reduce visible wrinkles and prevent new wrinkles.
- Consider using a skin care product that contains retinol or peptides. These ingredients can increase collagen in your skin.
Pimples and other types of acne
As levels of female hormones drop before and during menopause, some women develop teenage-like acne.
What you can do
Because a woman’s skin is thinner and drier, treatments for teenage acne are often too harsh.
- Wash acne-prone skin with a cleanser that contains the following ingredients:
Canadian Willowherb contains bioactive molecule of endothelin B which helps to soothe acne-prone skin and helps reduce skin redness.
White Willow Bark is an organically cultivated plant extract that provides astringent, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects for cleansing.
Vitamin B5 acts as an anti-inflammatory and helps soothe irritated skin - Try AMPERNA® Ultra Gentle Soothing Cleanser, this is a light gel cleanser that helps remove makeup while balancing the skin. This ultra gentle formulation rinses clean without leaving an irritating residue or upsetting pH levels. It contains an infusion of sage and cucumber extracts to help cool, soothe and nourish skin.
- Avoid acne products that dry your skin. Drying your skin can worsen acne.
- Make a dermatology appointment if you cannot get acne under control. A hormonal treatment may be necessary.
Rashes and easily irritated skin
Around 50 years of age, the pH level of our skin changes. With this change, skin becomes more sensitive, and women are more likely to develop rashes and easily irritated skin. Perioral dermatitis in perimenopause may also become a new skin concern. If you have an existing skin condition, such as eczema or rosacea, this could worsen.
What you can do
If you notice any of these changes, you should:
- Use a fragrance-free moisturiser. This will reduce irritation.
- See a board-certified dermatologist if the rash lasts or a skin condition worsens. As skin becomes drier and more easily irritated, you may need a dermatologist’s help
AMPERNA® Skincare – a holistic solution
From a surface point of view, adjusting your use of skincare, and choosing gentle, nourishing products and wearing SPF every day can do so much. We suggest regularly applying AMPERNA® skincare – serums and moisturisers in particular – with the following ingredients which will be beneficial to treat dry and aging skin:
- Hyaluronic acid – a molecule that helps skin hold on to moisture.
- Vitamin A or Retinol – increases cell turnover, boosts collagen, minimises wrinkles and strengthens and thickens skin.
- Vitamin C – an antioxidant multitasker that protects skin from further damage, evens tone and minimises lines.
Eat Your Antioxidants
Eating foods with antioxidants may help make your skin stronger from the inside out. Look for brightly coloured fruits and vegetables and try to eat every colour of the spectrum.
Work It Out
Exercise does more than just tone your muscles. It helps skin in two ways. First, it relieves stress. Exercise also boosts circulation, which begins to slow with age. The extra oxygen and blood flow can help your skin look brighter and healthier.
At AMPERNA® we believe It is never too early or too late to begin looking after your skin. If you are looking to discuss your skin concerns and develop a tailored regime to suit your skin needs you can get in touch with our founder Kiri today.
References:
Caring for your skin in menopause (aad.org)
Tips for Better Skin After Menopause (webmd.com)
Menopausal? Here are the skincare and treatments to consider | MiNDFOOD | Style
