The menopause is a natural phase in a woman's life which marks the end of her reproductive years. This transformative time comes with various physical and emotional changes and one aspect that is often overlooked is its impact on the skin.
Read on to learn about the skin changes you can expect to experience during menopause and discover some helpful tips you can follow to maintain healthy skin at every age.
ITCHY AND DRY SKIN
The most common skin complaint around the time of menopause is itchy, dry and dehydrated skin. This is due to hormonal fluctuations that cause a decline in oestrogen levels and the skin’s natural oil production. Not only does this lead to the skin losing essential moisture and hydration which makes it appear less supple and radiant, it also causes the skin to become dry, flaky and more sensitive to UV rays.
HOW TO PREVENT IT
Replace drying and foaming products with a gentle nonfoaming cleanser as soap can dry out the skin and strip it of essential nutrients. Use hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid to hydrate, rejuvenate and plump up the skin. We suggest adding a hydrating face mask like our Ultra Hydro Plumping Mask to your skincare routine. Formulated with active ingredients such as sodium polyglutamate and sodium hyaluronate, this hyaluronic acid sheet mask targets deep into the skin’s cells to help retain natural moisture for immediate and long-lasting hydration. And of course, always wear SPF.
LOSS OF ELASTICITY
Declining oestrogen levels also cause a decline in the skin’s natural collagen levels. Collagen is a protein that gives the skin its strength and firmness and without this, the skin loses its tightness and becomes more prone to fine lines and wrinkles. Recent research has found that 30% of skin collagen may be lost in the first five years after menopause.
HOW TO PREVENT IT
Changing your lifestyle habits and cutting out smoking and excessive sun exposure can help as these factors also cause the skin’s collagen levels to decline. Using serums that contain anti-ageing ingredients such as vitamin C can also be helpful. We also recommend adding skincare products that boost collagen production like our Anti-Wrinkle Reviving Mask to your skincare routine. Formulated with a high concentration of anti-inflammatory, plant-based ingredients, this collagen sheet mask will help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and will replenish the firmness and elasticity of your skin.
SUN DAMAGE
Hormonal changes cause menopausal skin to become thinner and more delicate which makes it more susceptible to UV damage. Signs of sun damage can also become more prominent if you have spent a considerable amount of time exposed to the sun throughout your lifetime. This can also lead to hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, a dull complexion and sunspots.
HOW TO PREVENT IT
Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen will not only protect your skin from UVA and UVB damage, but it will also prevent the development of hyperpigmentation. We recommend wearing SPF 50 every day. Avoid aggressive treatments and ingredients such as acids and retinol as they destroy the skin instead of repairing and protecting it and they also weaken the skin barrier function which makes the skin more susceptible to UV damage.
BREAKOUTS AND ACNE
While some women experience dryness, others may notice an increase in breakouts or the development of acne during menopause. Although it isn’t clear why this happens, research has found that this could be linked to the drop in oestrogen levels which means the ratio of male hormones is relatively higher.
HOW TO PREVENT IT
As well as making sure that your skincare and makeup products are noncomedogenic, we suggest using a mild cleanser that contains salicylic acid as this will help exfoliate the skin and prevent blocked pores. If you are prone to breakouts, using ingredients such as niacinamide can help too. We also recommend adding a mask for troubled skin like our Instant Rescue Purifying Mask to your routine. This cleansing purifying mask is calming, soothing and packed with allantoin to reduce inflammation, clear pores and banish blemishes.