Six Effects of Menopause On Your Skin To Be Aware Of

If you are a woman worried about skin changes during menopause, this blog post is for you, Bonita! Menopause is a natural part of the aging process. It can cause skin changes that affect how and what you put on your face. We have listed some of the most common  skin changes to expect and skincare tips to follow during menopause.

You’re not alone if you’re wondering how skin changes during menopause. Losing estrogen increases the risk of thinning hair, drooping skin, and wrinkles. Your menopause skin care requirements might help mitigate the negative impacts of aging on your skin. The skin problems during menopause vary a lot.

Things You Didn’t Know Menopause Does to Your Skin 

The onset of menopause does not occur suddenly. The formal definition is a 12-month absence of menstruation. Although the exact age at which this happens varies from person to person, the average is 51. Most women notice a change in their skin texture during menopause.

Our skin is perhaps one of the most sensitive organs. It reacts to changes in the body and reflects them. Changes in skin texture are some of the unwanted guests that menopause brings. Although they might be annoying, they are not uncommon and are a normal part of aging.

The hormonal changes during menopause affect the skin, making it dry, dehydrated, and less elastic. One of the most common skin issues women experience during menopause is dryness. The skin loses its natural moisture as estrogen levels decrease during menopause.

This reduced estrogen also triggers skin aging, wrinkles, and sagging. The skin loses its natural “glow” and becomes dull, rough, and scaly. The blood vessels become dilated, which causes redness of the face. With the loss of estrogen, collagen production declines drastically. This loss of collagen causes your skin to appear thinner and more fragile as you age. The face may become red or blotchy due to dilated blood vessels (telangiectasia). Hot flashes may cause some skin redness, and fluctuating hormones may trigger your acne.

The skin goes through tonnes of changes throughout menopause. Your body will gradually reduce its collagen production. As subcutaneous fat decreases, so do the skin’s suppleness. In addition to the dryness triggered by hormonal shifts, this may lead to drooping skin, most noticeably around the jawline, cheeks, and neck. 

Moreover, when estrogen levels decline and androgen levels stay consistent (androgens are male sex hormones, including testosterone), some women may have acne due to increased sebum production and a resulting clogging of the pores.

How to Take Care for Aging Skin? Our Top 5 Tips:

Perimenopause, the period between the onset of menopause and the beginning of menopausal symptoms, may begin as early as a woman’s mid-40s. However, this deterioration occurs irregularly, leading to unpredictable skin behavior. The sudden onset of acne and the accompanying dryness may make you feel like a cross between a teenager and an older adult.  Here are some of our top tips for skin care for menopausal women:

1. Cleansing is a MUST.  

Cleansing is crucial to your skincare routine, particularly as you age. As you age, your skin naturally becomes drier, so adding a little more moisture to your skincare routine is a great idea. The trick is to use a cleanser designed for dry skin. Instead of using a foam or gel cleanser, which may be drying, choose one with a creamy moisturizing consistency.

2. Let moisturizer be your best friend. 

We cannot emphasize enough on using moisturizer. Inactive oil glands contribute to dry skin after menopause. You might want to use a thicker lotion or cream designed to cater dry to very dry skin to provide all the moisture that your skin needs.

Who doesn’t enjoy love and hot showers? We bet everyone does, but long hot showers are not very friendly for a woman entering her menopausal stage. Hot water can result in the skin getting drier than the Sahara desert, so cut the shower time short and apply a good moisturizer as soon as you step out of the shower.

3. Don’t let a day pass by without sunscreen.

Even if you are someone that stays indoors throughout the day, you must never skip sunscreen. Sun exposure without the use of SPF in your twenties, thirties, and forties is primarily responsible for skin cancer, hyperpigmentation, and premature skin aging. But the sunrays do a lot of damage when going through menopause. Aging skin may be less resilient than youthful skin and more prone to sun damage and hyperpigmentation. It is a good idea to get your hands on a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and use it daily. It can save you from a lot of skin troubles.

4. Anti-aging serums like Retinol may do wonders. 

Too much time in the sun and the hormonal shifts of menopause combine to cause wrinkles. And these wrinkles can get severe when your collagen levels decline with age. Dry skin, particularly in older people, may accentuate wrinkles. Moisturize your face, jaw, and neck daily, and hunt for anti-aging creams that can help you seem younger and fresher.

Some of the products you might want to hunt for and add to your skincare routine during your menopause, or premenopausal phase are:

• Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid bonds with water to retain moisture, helping dry skin recover. Look for serums that have Hyaluronic acid.
• Retinol: Retinol is a must-use ingredient when you are looking for anti-aging benefits. The regular use of Retinol increases collagen in the skin and helps combat jowls, flabby skin, and wrinkles.
• Salicylic acid: Try a cleanser containing salicylic acid to combat menopause-related acne. It penetrates the skin to dissolve dead skin cells and unclog pores.

5. Use Exfoliators: 

Exfoliation is an incredible way to keep your skin looking its best, no matter what stage of life you’re in. But during menopause, it’s especially important to take care of your skin—and that means using gentle products for delicate postmenopausal skin.

A gentle exfoliating scrub used twice a week can do wonders for the skin of menopausal women. This will help to remove dead skin cells from your face and keep them from clogging pores or causing breakouts. Some of the best exfoliators that skincare experts recommend are those with small granules like sugar or salt because these will be gentler on sensitive skin than something like microbeads or pumice and give you a deep cleanse without feeling too harsh!

6. Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Menopause is a time of change. It’s not just a physical change that occurs in your body but also an emotional and mental one. Along with the other changes, you may also notice that your skin starts to look different. Besides following all the skincare protocols, it is important to focus on your lifestyle.

Get enough sleep! Sleep is vital for your health and can help improve many aspects, including your skin. Sleeping allows your body to repair itself from the day’s wear and tear, so ensure you’re getting enough shut-eye.

Eat well and drink lots of water! Dehydration can make your skin feel dry, flaky, itchy, and irritated, making puffy eyes even puffier. Make sure you drink at least eight glasses per day. Consume a balanced diet, including fruits and vegetables, and avoid junk/processed foods.

Avoid stress! Stress can cause acne, breakouts, and wrinkles. Try meditating or doing yoga to relieve stress.

Exercise regularly! Exercise helps boost circulation, which is essential for healthy skin. Consider walking or jogging outside if possible—this will also get you out into nature for some fresh air!

Conclusion

With the right skincare products and a lot of caution, you can significantly keep your skin healthy and beautiful. We know we could all go a little skincare crazy during this time, so the bottom line is to spoil your face and give it some extra love and attention. A new skincare regimen can’t hurt, either!