If you’re perimenopausal (or perhaps you’ve already reached the menopause), you’ll likely feeling it’s effects. Your body is going through changes, your hormones are out of sync and your skincare routine that once worked wonders is now having little to no effect! But why is this you may be thinking? We all know Menopause is a natural part of ageing, but some of the changes it brings can be somewhat of a surprise – especially when it comes to our skin! From unexpected dryness to deep set wrinkles, keep reading as we discuss exactly how the menopause affects our skin and the best solutions to care for it.
So what exactly happens to your skin during perimenopause and menopause?
During perimenopause and menopause, your skin starts to undergo noticeable changes due to hormonal fluctuations, particularly the decline in estrogen levels.
Common Skin Concerns During Menopause
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Wrinkles and sagging skin
Estrogen stimulates collagen production, which keeps skin firm and plump. As estrogen levels drop during perimenopause, collagen production starts to dramatically decrease, leading to thinning skin, sagging, and more pronounced, deeper wrinkles especially around the mouth, eyes and neck!
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Reduced elasticity
Along with collagen loss, elastin fibers—responsible for skin's elasticity—also break down, resulting in looser, less resilient skin.
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Increased dryness
Estrogen also helps regulate the skin’s moisture levels by boosting natural oil production. As this decreases, your skin may become drier, rougher, tighter and more prone to irritation. It may also become more sensitive to products that once felt fine.
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Thinning skin
As estrogen levels drop, and therefore with less collagen and moisture the skin’s protective barrier weakens, causing it to thin and making it more fragile and prone to bruising, sensitivity, and damage.
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Age spots
Hormonal changes combined with years of sun exposure can exacerbate pigmentation issues resulting in the appearance of more age spots or dark patches, particularly on the face, hands, and chest.
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Slower cell turnover
The rate at which your skin regenerates, slows down, leading to a dull, uneven complexion and a buildup of dead skin cells.
These changes can affect your overall skin texture and appearance, but the right skincare routine can help manage and improve these concerns.
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Blemishes
Pimples and breakouts are surprisingly common as you approach the menopause transition. And if you had a history of acne as a teenager, you’ll more susceptible to getting acne flare ups around the menopause too! This typically happens due to fluctuations in hormone levels. As estrogen levels decrease, the effects of male sex hormones called androgens increase. Androgens increase the production of sebum, the skin's natural oil. This excess oil can then mix with bacteria, dead skin and debris to clog pores resulting in breakouts!
The best skincare tips and products for perimenopausal and menopausal skin
Perimenopausal and menopausal skin requires extra care due to hormonal changes that affect its texture, hydration, and elasticity. Here are some of the best skincare tips and products to keep your skin healthy and radiant during this phase!
- Hydration is key
As estrogen levels drop, your skin produces less natural oil, leading to dryness. To combat this you need to use a rich, hydrating moisturiser. Look for products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides to lock in moisture and strengthen the skin barrier.
Solution: We highly recommend Pevonia Age Correction Marine Collagen Cream. This Pevonia global best-seller and beautifully nourishing cream is not only rich in ceramides, glycerin and hyaluronic acid but collagen too! Deeply hydrating, it rejuvenates skin, replenishing vital nutrients while softening fine lines and wrinkles. It’s so good!
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Boost collagen production
Loss of collagen and elastin leads to sagging and wrinkles. To promote collagen synthesis you’ll want to use products rich in retinol and or peptides: Retinol increases cell turnover and collagen production, while peptides help stimulate collagen to improve firmness.
Solution: Hailed the anti-ageing wonder serum, Medicalia's Retinol Concentrate is designed to normalize and boost cellular performance with Micro-Retinol technology. Ideal for all mature skin types or as preventative care, the serum helps improve elasticity, plump the skin and diminish the look of wrinkles, resulting in a brighter, more evenly toned complexion.
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Protect from UV damage
Menopausal skin is more prone to sun damage, which can lead to age spots and further loss of elasticity so youll need to be sure that you are religious about applying broad-spectrum SPF daily. Make sure you choose at least SPF 30 to prevent further UV damage and hyperpigmentation.
Solution: From Hubislab's Post Rays UV Protect Sun Block SPF50+ PA+++ to Vie Collection's Mela White Protective Sunscreen SPF 30 find out all about SPF protection and the best one for you here.
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Gentle exfoliation is a must
When youre going through the perimenopause and menopause cell turnover starts to really slow down, leading to dull, uneven skin. Regular exfoliation is therefore essential as it helps slough off dead skin cells to reveal new hidden ones underneath! Just make sure you opt for chemical exfoliants. AHAs (like glycolic acid) or BHAs (like salicylic acid) will gently exfoliate without irritating sensitive skin.
Solution: Pevonia Renewing Glycocides Cream. Combining glycolic acid with hydration hero hyaluronic acid, this exfoliating treatment cream works to dissolve dead skin cells, improving skin texture and diminishing fine lines too! Skin resurfaces soother, brighter and younger…seriously.
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Strengthen the skin barrier
Another symptom of menopause is thinner more fragile skin so it's crucial to keep the barrier strong. Use products with ceramides and niacinamide as these ingredients help repair and strengthen the skin barrier, reducing irritation and sensitivity.
Solution: We can’t get enough of Vie Collection's Serum De Vie - High Performance Youth Concentrate! For those serious about combating the signs of ageing, this powerful, beautifully nourishing serum is a game-changer. Its advanced formula works at a cellular level to protect skin cells while targeting fine lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity and hyperpigmentation, helping to restore a youthful, firm and smooth complexion. With its powerful blend of antioxidants and peptides, it helps to stimulate collagen production and improve skin elasticity while niacinamide slows the transfer of melanin to key parts of the skin to fade the look of dark spots and age spots. It’s the ultimate weapon in your anti-ageing arsenal, believe me!
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Fight hyperpigmentation
Hormonal changes can increase pigmentation issues, leading to age spots. To help this you need to use brightening serums with Vitamin C or niacinamide: These ingredients help fade dark spots and brighten the skin.
Solution: Phytomer Oligoforce Lumination Targeted Dark Spot Mask with Vitamin B3 (rich in Niacinamide) This sheet mask soaked with a lotion enriched with Vitamin B3 visibly smoothes, plumps and evens skin tone after each application. Day after day, wrinkles are reduced, dark spots faded and skin tone evened out.
When it comes to Vitamin C (paired with niacinamide) , our absolute favourite is Derma Max Vitamin-C Complex 50% Ampoule. This perfectly nourishing Vitamin C based brightening complex helps reduce discolouration and lighten skin tone. Paired with niacinamide, it prevents the formation of hyperpigmentation and reduces melanin production. The result, brighter, more even skin!
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Soothe with anti-inflammatory ingredients
Menopausal skin can become more sensitive and prone to redness or irritation so try incorporating calming ingredients. Look for products with aloe vera, chamomile, or green tea to reduce inflammation and soothe irritation.
Solution: Hubislab Post Rays Chamomile Complex 70% Ampoule. We have tried and tested this powerhouse product ourselves and are here to tell you just how good it really is! Firstly it’s deeply nourishing and soothing at the same time. It feels like silk when applied to the skin and it instantaneously calms irritation. It’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory and we love that it purifies, protects and strengthens too, thanks to its outstanding cocktail of 70% Chamomile combined with other natural soothing ingredients.
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Use night treatments
Nighttime is when your skin repairs itself, making it a crucial time to use targeted treatments.
Solution: Phytomer Night Recharge Youth Enhancing Cream. Sometimes the moisturiser we use in the day isn’t quite enough at night. This is when a night cream is a great option! At night, our skin goes into repair and regeneration mode so a richer night cream can make all the difference. In fact, a good night cream will not only sooth and calm skin while you sleep, but also deliver lasting moisture while addressing common skin concerns such as moisture loss and skin ageing! They also help in the skin repair and renewal process by improving cell turnover! The Phytomer Night Recharge is a beautiful rich textured cream which literally cocoons skin while restoring youthful vitality with a nourishing blend of active marine botanicals, alpha hydroxy acids and conditioning oils.
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Be armed with treatment creams for blemish and acne flare ups
Following a specific skincare routine can really help to keep acne at bay. By using a gentle cleanser, non-comedogenic moisturiser, and targeted treatments, you can make all the difference to your skin.
Some spot treatments can work wonders at reducing, and in some cases eliminating, unwanted blemishes overnight. This is because they encourage rapid healing by controlling bacteria, reducing inflammation and diminishing the follicular accumulation of keratin.
For the most effective results look for spot treatments formulated with ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. We highly recommend Phytomer's Oligopur Blemish Target Gel as the best spot treatment! It targets blemishes with precision, rapidly improving the skin’s appearance and eliminating spots almost overnight! Simply apply a small amount of product to your pimples and let the powerful ingredients keep your skin follicles clean to achieve an even and bright complexion by morning.
Also, don't forget sunscreen – it's like armour for your skin, yes even for those of us with acne! And I know it sounds counterintuitive, slathering sunscreen all over acne flareups but believe me when I say avoiding sunscreen can worsen the appearance of acne, and if the skin gets sunburnt, the symptoms of acne can be painfully exasperated.
Just be sure to choose your sunscreen wisely. Using the right sunscreen can prevent and heal acne, soothe the skin, keep dark spots and clogged pores at bay, all while protecting from harmful UV rays. We love Hubislab Herb 8 Soothing Blemish Balm SPF30 PA++
By combining these tips and using the right products to address the unique needs of your skin you can maintain healthy, glowing skin during perimenopause and menopause.
